Big Gay Raft Trip™ - July Royal Gorge Rafting and Glamping Trip 2026 Schedule

Cañon City, CO

Pitch a tent and get paddled all in the same weekend! BGRT goes glamping in this debut trip on the Arkansas River!

Pack your sunscreen, your best pair of short shorts, and just a little bit of flair. The Big Gay Raft Trip™ is a weekend of sunshine, splashes, and spectacular scenery in the heart of Colorado’s Royal Gorge Region. Whether you’re here to conquer whitewater, sip cocktails under canyon sunsets, or simply make a few hundred new friends, this is the summer adventure you didn’t know you needed. Come solo or bring your crew, you’ll leave with a whole raft of new besties.

It's Big and Gay at the Royal Gorge

Date: July 10 - 12, 2026

Your weekend begins with a welcome cocktail and a fabulous little stroll around Starlite Vintage Resort, where retro roadside charm meets modern comfort and just a hint of vintage mischief. Named the #1 Vintage Trailer Hotel by USA Today, Starlite is a technicolor playground of restored trailers, cozy cabins, and RV sites. Whether you’re a glamper, a camper, or just here for the cocktails, there’s a spot with your name on it. Best of all, we’ve secured exclusive access to the entire resort, so the only people you’ll see all weekend are your fellow rafters and whatever handsome strangers happen to wander past your trailer.

When it’s time to get wet (calm down, we mean the river), buses will pick us up at Starlite and whisk us off to the Arkansas River. We’ll start by splashing through the playful rapids of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, giving everyone a chance to warm up their paddling muscles and perfect their dramatic “I’m falling out of the raft” face. Midway through the trip, our guides will pull over to cook a riverside lunch before we float into the spectacular walls of the Royal Gorge, passing directly beneath the iconic Royal Gorge Bridge, the highest suspension bridge in North America. The canyon is breathtaking, the water is exhilarating, and yes… we're all virgins for this trip!

Not feeling the rafting fantasy? No judgment here. You can hop into a Jeep tour and explore the rugged beauty of the Royal Gorge region from dry land. This off-road adventure includes a ride across the Royal Gorge Bridge itself, offering jaw-dropping views and a little adrenaline without having to paddle for it.

If your ideal adventure involves a comfy seat and a cocktail instead of a paddle, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad might be calling your name. This scenic two-hour train ride departs from Cañon City and glides along the Arkansas River through the gorge and beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge. It’s one of the most relaxing ways to soak in the towering canyon walls and fascinating geology… and frankly a perfect excuse to sip something bubbly while someone else does the driving.

Full Day Rafting Including Lunch: $280
Scenic Train into the Gorge and Wine Tasting: $260
Sunday Jeep Tour and Bridge Crossing: $185

Whether you’re here to paddle hard, ride wild, or simply lounge in vintage trailer glamour, the weekend promises big scenery, great company, and just enough splash to keep things interesting.

Because the best part of the Big Gay Raft Trip™ isn’t just the rapids, the Jeeps, or even the trains… it’s the people. Every year new friendships are made, old friends return, and the weekend somehow becomes the highlight of everyone’s summer.

Make plans to grab a spot on the raft, Jeep, or train, because the Royal Gorge is calling… and she’s feeling fabulous.

Lodging

Starlite Vintage Resort will be our primary lodging for this event and we have private access to the resort for the weekend.

From fabulous vintage campers, glamping cabins, to retro chic apartments there's a perfect spot for everyone! Tent sites, trailer sites, and RV hookup sites are also available! LOL @ "hookup sites".

Booking information and rates are still being finalized and will be updated before the tickets go on sale. You can preview the available cabins, campers, and RV spots on their website: Starlite Vintage Resort. Note that pricing will vary from their website to cover our exclusive access and on-site events.

For the Vintage RVs and Campers we've made a chart to easily compare the sleeping arrangements, and bathroom options. Click Here.

Want to arrive in your own stylish RV, camper, or tent? No problem. Starlite offers options from primative tent or RV sites all the way up to 50amp full hookup RV sites.

Alternate lodging recommendations will be available, but you will miss out on a lot of the fun at the Starlite (24-hr pool, Playroom RV*, and more) and be responsible for your own transportation to the Starlite for activity pickup.

All campground sites are a 2 night minimum (July 10 and 11).

Reservation Cancellation: Your reservation may be cancelled until June 10, 2026 for a full refund, minus $20 admin fee. Non-refundable after June 10, 2026.

Restaurant Recommendations

Coming Soon!

Restaurants will be updated as soon as Ladd tries them all. Stay tuned!

Registration Information

Each activity will be ticketed separately. Capacity for rafting is limited so we break in the new rafting company gently. Reservations for the Starlite Vintage Resort cannot be made on their website but you can look at the campers, RVs, amd layout of the park to get an idea of lodging features amd amenities.

Registration will open May 16, 2026 at 10am MT

Rafting must be booked by July 6, 2026 (unless sold out sooner). Your reservation is fully-refundable through June 27, 2026, minus a $20 per attendee administration fee. Non-refundable after June 27, 2026.

Registration is handled via TicketSpice:

Get Activity Tickets Starlite Resort Reservations

Trip is rain or shine. No refunds for weather or river conditions after the refund deadline of June 27, 2026. * We might be joking about the playroom bus. Maybe.