Things to Do in Buena Vista

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Rafting Browns Canyon Colorado: the ultimate Colorado river rafting experience! The full day Browns Canyon Sizzler is a great trip for the whole family – a great option for first-time rafters and a can't-miss for experienced paddlers.  This trip offers a classic white water rafting trip in one action-packed day. A hot chicken fajita lunch is provided riverside halfway through the trip and the additional rapids make the Browns Canyon Sizzler the best option for a one-day Colorado adventure.

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

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.

Experience the ultimate full-day adventure with a thrilling whitewater rafting excursion on the Arkansas River in Colorado. Enjoy a delicious lunch by the riverside and take in the stunning scenery.

Join us for a half day rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument on the Arkansas River! This is our most popular rafting trip with breath taking canyon scenery and views of the Collegiate Peaks (some of the highest mountains in Colorado) This whitewater section is a great beginner/intermediate with consistent class III rapids to keep seasoned paddlers excited and not to scary for beginners. Come see for yourself why the Browns Canyon section on the Arkansas River is the most rafted section in the country!

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.

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.

"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.

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 a gourmet 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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a guided fly fishing trip on the Upper Colorado River. Learn how to fly fish with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced guide.

Rent an IK (ducky) and forget about the confines of a hardshell kayak or standing tall on a SUP as you pilot one of the most forgiving and maneuverable crafts available for going down river. A shuttle is recommended, as they are not the easiest things to carry by yourself. Paddle, Helmet, PFD included.

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.

Mini-Me Rafts are 9' long and accommodate 2 people and a dry bag or cooler quite easily. You can fit up to 4 people if you prefer, but be prepared to be in close quarters. These rafts are one of the most fun ways to go down a stretch of river and they are surprisingly stable for their size as long as you keep them straight they hardly flip and are difficult to rap on rocks. Guiding experience is necessary. The responsible party is liable for all losses and damages or replacements.

Pick up a SUP take it to the river or a lake and learn or paddle on your own. A lesson is recommended, but if you have experience then paddle on! PFD, Helmet, and Paddle included. Don't forget to bring some shoes you can swim in!

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.

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.

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 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!

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 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!

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.

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. 

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!

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.

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 Numbers Class III-IV: Test your endurance and paddle experience with whitewater adventure in the high country with big splashes and fast rapids. On this 2-3-hour trip, you'll run the Numbers 1-10 rapids, an incredibly fun section with pine forest lining the river banks and the Collegiate Peaks towering over 14,000 feet above the river corridor. Highly experienced guides touting the highest credentials will lead you along this exciting trip.

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!