Things to Do in Buena Vista

"Conquer the Granite Via Ferrata in Buena Vista, Colorado. Scale granite cliffs, cross suspension bridges, and soar on zip lines for an unforgettable adventure in the Rocky Mountains.

Get an introduction to rafting on this 1-hour family friendly rafting trip. Enjoy impressive mountain views, easy splashes, and soul-soothing current. This gentle floating adventure is great for children over the age of two years.  Please note: This in one hour on the water!  

Soar like an eagle and enjoy the thrill of flight on a zipline adventure in Buena Vista. Zip from platform to platform and take in the breathtaking views of the area.

Get your toes wet on this fun and splashy float! This trip is a gentle excursion that allows you and your family to take in all the beauty of the Arkansas River. It is perfect for first-time rafters, small children and anyone looking to have a great time in nature!

Browns Canyon rafting is considered by many to be one of the best sections of white water in the world. It is perfect for families, groups, first-timers, and even experienced whitewater enthusiasts.

Why not make the most of your trip and enjoy a package day to excite the senses! Why just enjoy whitewater rafting when you can add on an exciting zipline tour in one of the most beautiful, scenic places imaginable. On this family rafting & zipline tour you will start your day with exciting whitewater followed by a zipline tour that swoops by towering lodge pole pines through the beautiful Colorado Mountains!

Experience the thrill of whitewater rafting in Browns Canyon National Monument. Choose between a half-day or full-day trip and paddle through the Class III rapids with a guide.

Experience 3 hours of clear, crisp water crashing through the Granite Gorge. This half-day adventure is led by a local guide and all boating equipment such as rain gear, drinking water and personal flotation device is included.

Explore the historic St. Elmo Ghost Town on an e-bike tour. Ride through the scenic Chalk Creek Canyon, feed friendly chipmunks, and enjoy breathtaking mountain views.

Prior to entering the Canyon Challenge Course, guests are fitted with gear, given a safety briefing and instructions, and then off they go! Guests begin on easy courses and graduate to more challenging routes. Once a course is completed, guests can proceed to more challenging courses. The Canyon Aerial Course was designed and built by Swiss Alpine engineers to industry standards, including those of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) as well as the specifications and safety standards of the state of Colorado. Participants are secured throughout their experience to the life safety systems using the Bornack Smart Safe Belay (SSB) lanyard system which prevents participants from detaching from the system during transfers from one element to the next while providing participants the freedom to choose their route and move at their own pace. Staff are positioned nearby to offer encouragement and assist if needed.

Raft 10 miles of America's most popular stretch of river, Arkansas River, through Browns Canyon National Monument on a tour from Buena Vista. Splash through exhilarating class III whitewater rapids.

COVID 19 Pre-trip screening for all guests: MASKS are required during transportation. This DAILY trip includes 14 miles and 5 hours of clear, crisp Class II-III+ whitewater crashing through the Browns Canyon National Monument. We have added 6 more miles to make this the most rapids in a 3/4 day no lunch adventure. A professional river guide and all boating equipment: splash jackets, drinking water, and PFD, personal floatation device. Bring your personal water bottle, noncotton clothing, secure footwear or rentals of wetsuits and boots available to reserve. Situated in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Arkansas River's 145 miles, threads its way through a vacationer's paradise. From the river's source in the beautiful Arkansas Valley with dramatic 14,000-foot peaks to the bottom of the Royal Gorge, Arkansas River has it all.

This beginner rafting adventure through Class I & II whitewater is perfect for the first timer or groups with small children.

Experience a family-friendly, class II section of the Arkansas River on a half-day or full-day rafting adventure! This is the perfect section for beginners of all ages.

Enjoy a day of adventure in Buena Vista with a rock climbing and zipline tour. Climb the Granite Gorge Cliffs and soar through the air on a zipline course built into the mountainside.

Raft the most continuous whitewater in the state on the Arkansas River, just one hour from Denver, Colorado.

Embark on a full-day adventure in Buena Vista and discover the beauty of Colorado through two distinct activities. Climb the Granite Gorge Cliffs and soar through the air on a zipline.

We are a small company BIG on adventure! That means you get a more personalized trip. It'll feel like your on your own private rafting adventure. We meet at our office, shuttle you to the river. You raft on the river for a few hours, and then we shuttle you back to our office. We are located closer to the access points than any other company.

Embark on a thrilling half-day adventure on the legendary Numbers section of the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, Colorado. Feel the adrenaline rush as you navigate the challenging Class IV and V rapids

Start the morning with one of the most exciting and popular Colorado mountain summer adventures - ziplining! Our zipline course is integrated into the wooded and craggy surroundings of our mountainous 43-acre Gold Camp property. Take in the views of snow-capped peaks and the Arkansas River as you zip from cliff to cliff between the pine and aspen trees. Break for lunch, then get ready for the notorious Numbers. Each Class III-V rapid is punctuated by continuous whitewater on this exhilarating section, including a steep ledge drop into No. 5 rapid. Minimum age 15 years. Minimum weight 50 lbs. maximum weight 250 lbs. Good physical condition required.

Embark on a class II-III whitewater paddle rafting trip through Colorado's newest National Monument with this expertly guided, daily- half-day 3 hour adventure.

Why stay on the beaten path when you can see Colorado up close? Let us show you the real Rockies where the spirit of adventure is alive and the landscapes inspire awe at every turn! Our tour is unique from any other tour company you’ve likely encountered before. Off-roading, and the discovery of out-of-the-way places, is our passion and has been since coming to Colorado over 30 years ago. Here are just a few of the things that set us apart from all others: - Our tours are 100% private for your group of six or less. - Our tours range from mild to wild and, based on your preferences, are planned just for your group. - Our owner personally drives every group. - Our vehicle is a custom Toyota Land Cruiser with safety, comfort, and off-road capabilities that are unmatched by nearly any other vehicle.

The Numbers offers up a challenging and continuous Class IV section of whitewater that will get your adrenaline pumping! Come experience high mountain whitewater rafting in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

Paddle the most continuous whitewater in Colorado on a Numbers full-day whitewater rafting tour with River Runners Browns Canyon - just one hour from Denver, Colorado.

The Salida Valley is an enjoyable way for everyone to experience the Arkansas River. Small splashy rapids and lots of floating. A great way to spend the morning or afternoon with the whole family.

Family-friendly class II-III section of the Arkansas River perfect for young and seniors. Browns Canyon National Monument borders the rafting trip in the canyon. Thrilling whitewater or Gold Medal float fishing trips also.

Embark on the ultimate adventure with a Numbers Half-Day Rafting and Zipline Combo. Tackle the pumping rapids of the Numbers stretch on the Arkansas River and soar through the air on a zipline.

The Numbers section of the Arkansas River is renowned for its thrilling Class 4 rapids, delivering nonstop excitement and challenges for experienced rafters and daring newcomers alike. This exhilarating stretch features rapids like “Pinball,” where paddlers bounce between boulders, demanding sharp skills and teamwork. The journey unfolds amid stunning scenery, with granite boulder gardens and the towering Collegiate Peaks providing a dramatic backdrop. As you navigate the river's whitewater, you'll enjoy breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and rugged landscapes, making each rapid a visual and physical adventure. The Numbers isn’t just a rafting trip; it’s a fusion of adrenaline and natural beauty, creating an unforgettable experience.

Experience the best of both worlds with a half-day rafting and zipline combo adventure in Buena Vista. Feel the rush of the river as you paddle through the twists and turns of the canyon.

Adventure together through class II-III+ rapids on the Arkansas River with Noah's Ark. Our tours put-in at our private put-in on our riverside property and raft through Browns Canyon National Monument.

Full-day adventure with a rafting and climbing experience. Traverse the rugged granite cliffside on the Granite Via Ferrata and raft through intermediate and advanced rapids on the Arkansas River.

Enjoy the experience of a lifetime with family friendly Colorado rafting through Browns Canyon National Monument on the Arkansas River. Exciting class III-IV rapids intermixed with calm water in between make Browns Canyon rafting great for beginners and experts alike.

Discover the culinary specialties of Miami's neighborhoods during a 3.5-hour tour.

Brown’s Canyon rafting trips contain the perfect combination of Colorado scenery and adventure and are great for the whole family. If you are considering Rafting in Colorado, Brown’s Canyon is a must! This section is filled with plenty of fun and exciting rapids and is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!

Colorado's most popular whitewater rafting trip trough Brown's Canyon National Monument. Enjoy spectacular scenery and thrilling whitewater on this professionally guided river trip.

Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River is our most popular trip! The unique combination of lots of exciting whitewater, spectacular canyon scenery, great mountain views of some of Colorado’s highest mountains and opportunities to spot wildlife make this the ideal raft trip. Exciting enough for seasoned paddlers, but not too scary for first-timers. You will want to bring your friends and family for epic rapids such as Pinball, Zoom Flume, and Big Drop!

Browns Canyon rafting trips contain the perfect combination of Colorado scenery and adventure and are great for the whole family. If you are considering Rafting in Colorado, Browns Canyon is a must. This section is filled with plenty of fun and exciting rapids and is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!

Fat tire E-Bikes(electric bicycles) are an awesome way to have fun exploring the Buena Vista, CO area. They level the playing field for all in your group and help to overcome the altitude and wind issues in this area. BV eBikes are the eBike experts in Chaffee County CO. We can accommodate E-Bike rental groups of up to 8 guests. With our expertise guests will be directed out to beautiful Cottonwood Lake, or head out through the historic Midland Rail Tunnels and along the Arkansas River. If you want to have a lot of fun in BV, you need to book a ride with us!

Raft through Browns Canyon National Monument and experience the fun and excitement of Colorado's #1 stretch of whitewater. This full day small group trip extends 16 miles and the fun of the half-day Browns Canyon trip (10 miles). Typically, you will be on the river approximately 4-5 hours (varies with water levels), including lunch. Lunch in Browns Canyon features delicious deli-style sandwiches, fruit, homemade breads and fresh-baked cookies. After lunch it's back to the river, where an afternoon of rapids, including the infamous Seidel's Suckhole and drenching waves of Twin Falls, await. A must do on your Colorado Adventure Vacation!  Please note:   A PRIVATE BOAT IS NOT GUARANTEED. YOU MAY BE GROUPED WITH OTHER GUESTS.

Colorado's most popular whitewater rafting trip.  Exciting moderate level whitewater through Brown's Canyon National Monument.  Spectacular scenery and lots of thrills and memories for a lifetime.

Our most popular Colorado adventure vacation package for families, groups and individuals! 2 fun and thrilling activities, 1 great day! Combine rafting on Colorado's #1 stretch of whitewater with the Browns Canyon Adventure Park. Start with an all access pass to the Browns Canyon Adventure Park. Zip, crawl, swing and play through 4 Courses, 66 Elements, and 2 Adrenaline Features, on the banks of the Arkansas River!  After lunch in our riverside pavilion, paddle 10 miles of whitewater through the Browns Canyon National Monument. Experience the fun and excitement of rafting several Class III whitewater rapids such as Pinball, Zoom Flume and Raft Ripper. This package is a great addition to any Colorado Adventure vacation! Join us! Please note: A PRIVATE BOAT IS NOT GUARANTEED. YOU MAY BE GROUPED WITH OTHER GUESTS. 

Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River is our most popular trip! This in an intermediate trip but also not too scary for first-timers. The unique combination of lots of exciting whitewater, spectacular canyon scenery, great mountain views of some of Colorado’s highest mountains and opportunities to spot wildlife make this the ideal raft trip. Please note that we offer over 20 trips on 4 rivers. However, not all trips are able to be booked through Trip Advisor. Please contact us directly for more detailed information about the many whitewater raft trips that we offer.

A Via Ferrata, which means “iron way” in Italian, is a method of mountaineering & rock climbing that’s been used in Europe for centuries. Via Ferrata courses use a combination of ladders, rungs, rails, cables and bridges to aid in moving across and up a cliff face. The Iron Way in Idaho Springs is an assisted rock climbing guided tour where guests clip into cables that run along the side of a cliff. They then move along a designated path of iron rungs and bridges to move across, and along the way they will be required to clip in and out of the cable to progress through the course. This is made possible through an advanced internal locking system in the carabiners. Each guest will have 2 carabiners connected to bungee-style lanyards on their harness. The internal locking system makes it impossible to clip out of both at the same time, insuring that climbers are connected to the cable of the course at all times.

Enjoy the beauty and excitement of Browns Canyon National Monument on a full day whitewater rafting tour down the Arkansas River. Your guide will go over safety procedures, paddling techniques and tell you about the area’s unique history, flora and fauna. They will also prepare a deli-style riverside lunch. This tour departs directly from the River Runners Browns Canyon outpost, a riverside property just south of Buena Vista, Colorado. Transportation is provided from the take-out back to River Runners. All gear is included in the price of the trip. 

Situated in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Arkansas River threads its way through a vacationer's paradise. From the river's source in the beautiful Arkansas Valley with dramatic 14,000 foot peaks to the bottom of the Royal Gorge, the Arkansas has it all. This trip includes 6 hours of clear, crisp water crashing through the Granite Gorge, a river guide and all boating equipment: rain gear, drinking water and personal floatation device. Lunch is also provided on this full day adventure.

Embark on this half day rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument. Great class III (beginner/intermediate) adventure for the entire family. Choose between either morning or afternoon trips.

The Numbers rafting is the ultimate Colorado rafting adventure! Experience the non-stop thrills and excitement of rafting in Colorado at the headwaters of the Arkansas River. You’ll navigate through tight passages, steep drops, and continuous action on this incredible Colorado river rafting trip.

Raft the nation's favorite stretch of river, 10 miles through Browns Canyon Arkansas River. Together with the rest of the crew in your boat, you will work to negotiate the intermediate (family-level) rapids of the classic Browns Canyon–a proposed federal Wilderness Area. Just north of Buena Vista, Browns Canyon white water rafting is appropriate for most ages and experience levels, this trip delivers a mix of exhilarating whitewater and the majestic quality of a granite canyon.

The Lost Canyon Zipline Tour is a true Colorado eco-adventure. Not only will you experience heart-pounding, leg-shaking thrills as you soar across ancient canyons, but you’ll learn about the history, flora, and fauna of this beautiful, fascinating area. ONE OF THE 6 BEST ZIP LINE TOURS IN THE USA – Outside Magazine TOP 10 ZIPLINE ATTRACTIONS IN AMERICA! – USA Today TOP 10 ZIP LINES IN THE WORLD – National Geographic Traveler Blog TOP 20 ADVENTURE VACATION DESTINATIONS ON THE CONTINENT – Men’s Fitness Magazine So come and zipline with our friendly guides and experience a Colorado Rocky Mountain adventure that we hope to make the highlight of your vacation! Zip lining is really “no sweat adrenaline.” While zip lining looks extreme, it is actually relatively easy to do.

Enjoy the beauty and excitement of Browns Canyon National Monument on a half day whitewater rafting tour down the Arkansas River. Your guide will go over safety procedures, paddling techniques and tell you about the area’s unique history, flora and fauna. This tour departs directly from the River Runners Browns Canyon outpost, a riverside property just south of Buena Vista, Colorado. Transportation is provided from the take-out at Hecla Junction back to River Runners. All gear is included in the price of the trip. Choose from 10 am and 2 pm departure times (check-in is 45 minutes prior).