Tours & Activities in Buena Vista

Rent a double duckie for the day. Take a friend with you for twice the power and twice the fun! The Salida area is the perfect zone for beginner and intermediate paddling teams, ask us about shuttles to and from different access points in the surrounding area.

Rent the beast for 1/2 Day (Use of SUPSQUATCH)! Don't forget to bring appropriate footwear, swimwear, and sun protection. Enjoy your activity with us.

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.

A half day rafting trip through the fast paced Numbers section of the Arkansas River. We offer either morning or afternoon trips.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

THE #1 RANKED WALKING TOUR COMPANY IN COLORADO Embark on a chilling journey into the haunted streets of Salida, guided by knowledgeable and captivating storytellers in their hauntingly authentic costumes. Prepare to be mesmerized by our award-winning tour, consistently receiving glowing 5-star reviews on every reputable travel platform. ​Brace yourself for an unforgettable experience as we unveil spine-tingling tales that might linger in your thoughts long after the tour ends. Disclaimer: Spirits have been known to follow our guests home. Be prepared! ​Delve into the depths of 21 riveting stories curated to send shivers down your spine, all within the span of an exhilarating 90 minutes. Hear the chilling accounts of haunting spirits that frequent an old mortuary, their ethereal presence leaving an indelible mark on the location's history. PG-13 tour. Not recommended for sensitive younger children.

THE #1 RANKED WALKING TOUR COMPANY IN COLORADO Step into the untamed world of historic Salida with our small-group tour. Immerse yourself in the gritty past, unravel the secrets of our unruly society, and uncover architectural marvels with your knowledgeable guide. Prepare to be enthralled by captivating narratives that bring Salida's thrilling and at times ruthless history to life. ​Discover the story behind Salida's unique pronunciation, Sah-LIE-Dah, not Sah-LEE-Dah. Uncover the transformation from the original name, South Arkansas, to the Salida we know today. Brace yourself for tales of knife fights, brutal beatings, and the chilling murder of a local Marshal that shaped the city's character. ​Indulge your curiosity in the bawdy brothel district. Wander through the very spots where horrific crimes unfolded and where resilient working women once thrived. Experience firsthand the living remnants of a bygone era that still echo throughout Salida's streets.

A wonderful family friendly white water rafting trip in Colorado! Splash, swim, and take in the stunning views while a professional river guide rows you down the river without the interruption of paddling (unless of course, you want to paddle)! Enjoy bouncy wave trains, man made white water park, and wildlife sightings on this calm and picturesque section suitable for children as young as 4.

Extreme Colorado white water rafting on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista is for experienced rafters or adventurous beginners in good physical condition. The Numbers sections offers some of the most technical white water rafting in Colorado. Be prepared for a full body workout as your professional river guide directs your group through each back to back rapid. Enjoy scenic views of the 14,000 foot Collegiate Peaks and cottonwood lined riverbanks between paddle strokes

Experience the Numbers, a challenging, fast-paced technical section of the Arkansas River. Professional and knowledgeable guides will take you though one of the most exhilarating sections the Ark has to offer. This full-day, Class IV rafting trip includes a deli style lunch on the banks of the river.

Looking for that true “Colorado Rocky Mountain high”?  The Numbers section of the Arkansas River got its name in the late 1800s by local miners who viewed the rapids as non-navigable landmarks. They were so intimidated that they just numbered the rapids instead of naming them.  If you are an experienced rafter looking to take it to the next level or an adventurous beginner up for a new challenge, the Numbers rafting trips are some of the best Arkansas River white water rafting trips around!

Single bundle recommended with boat rentals: Individual's Personal Gear required for your river safety.

Ground Up Adventures specializes in educational guided hikes, preparing aspiring adventurers to get outside safely and teaching you the tools you need to feel empowered on the trails AFTER your guided experience, so you can feel self-reliant and confident on all of your adventures to come thereafter! All adventures are customized just for YOU and tailored to your outdoor goals! Some things I teach: What to Bring & Why How to Pack & Fit Your Bag Leave No Trace Trail Etiquette Injury Prevention What to Do in Wildlife Encounters How to Prevent Wildlife Encounters Risk Management Navigation Basics & More!

This is a flexible tour that can be customized to your needs in terms of time and topic (ghost, history, or both). And, of course, if you desire, we'll visit local bars and pubs. Minimum guest number required. Speaking of alcohol, bar tabs are your responsibility. Alcohol is not part of the price and you must be 21+. This tour includes: ~ Shocking details of Salida's only serial killer​ (a total psycho) ~ The location of a vicious lynching (group hug?) ~ The truth of the skin trade in the early days ~ We'll visit sites of current ghost hauntings (we have plenty!) ~ Details of a couple of vicious murders ~ We'll stop for courage juice (liquor, if you're slow to catch on) ~ Several guests have seen the infamous woman in a certain downtown window (ghosts not window peeping) Think pub crawl meets best friends under the sheets telling ghost & history stories. Please note that price is for up to 10 guests. For larger groups, please contact us for a price.

Personal Flotation Devices are a necessary thing to have any time you are going to be in the river. Various sizes available for all day rental.

Rent a double duckie for half a day. Take a friend with you for twice the power and twice the fun! The Salida area is the perfect zone for beginner and intermediate paddling teams, ask us about shuttles to and from different access points in the surrounding area.