Buena Vista Tours

Get up close and personal with Buena Vista, Colorado’s dramatic granite rock formations and Rocky Mountain scenery—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this small-group rock climbing experience. Pick from multiple convenient tour times, meet your guide at the start point, and receive an introduction to the “via ferrata” style of climbing. Then, with one-on-one instruction, follow the trail, scale cliff faces, travel via iron rungs and bridges, and more.

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.

Experience the thrill of soaring above the Arkansas River Valley on a 3-hour zipline adventure near Buena Vista. Feel the fresh Rocky Mountain air and famous Colorado’s sunshine as you zoom across seven different lines totaling more than 3,500 feet (1,066 meters). For a grand finale, glide side-by-side with a friend or family member on an adrenaline-pumping dual race line.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a whitewater rafting adventure on this professionally guided, 2-day, small-group excursion. Ride along the most popular stretch of whitewater in the US. Crash through the Class III and IV rapids of Browns Canyon National Monument whitewater. Then try fishing or engage in a friendly, fireside chat while camping on the banks of the Granite Canyon. All boating equipment — rain gear, drinking water and a personal floatation device — plus meals prepared by the guide are included.

Beginners will feel safe and comfortable on this 1-hour rafting trip down the Milk Run of the Arkansas River in Buena Vista, CO. Families with small children over two years old can paddle together through easy splashes and gentle floats with mountain views. All paddling equipment and safety gear is included.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a whitewater rafting adventure on this professionally guided, full-day, small-group excursion. Crash through the Class IV rapids of the Arkansas River, winding its way through a whitewater paradise in the center of Colorado at 11,000 feet. Paddlers must be at least 18 years old. All the necessary equipment — rain gear, helmet, drinking water and a personal floatation device — plus a deli-style lunch are included.

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.

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!

Ask about ghosts in Salida, and you’ll hear plenty of stories. Learn about this Colorado town's haunted history on a tour of Salida’s grisly past. Let your guide take you through the dark streets, pointing out the infamous red light district and the exact locations of murders and active spirits. See where ghosts wander to this day. 

Feel the adrenaline rush on a half-day whitewater rafting trip along the challenging Numbers section of the Arkansas River, south of Breckenridge. Enjoy views of snow-capped mountains and catch sight of local wildlife as you travel through narrow canyons and safely navigate the river’s continuous rapids with an expert guide. Plus, choose from morning or afternoon departures to easily fit this tour into your schedule.

Get up close and personal with Buena Vista, Colorado’s dramatic granite rock formations and Rocky Mountain scenery—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this small-group rock climbing experience. Pick from multiple convenient tour times, meet your guide at the start point, and receive an introduction to the “via ferrata” style of climbing. Then, with one-on-one instruction, follow the trail, scale cliff faces, travel via iron rungs and bridges, and more.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a whitewater rafting adventure in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains on this professionally guided, full-day excursion. Ride along the clear, crisp waters of the Arkansas River, from the river’s source in the beautiful Arkansas Valley, with dramatic 14,000 foot peaks to the bottom of the Royal Gorge. Crash through the Class II and III rapids of the Granite Gorge and Browns Canyon National Monument whitewater. All boating equipment and lunch are included.

Explore Browns Canyon National Monument on a white-water rafting adventure. Spend a few hours shooting the Class III rapids, perfect for beginner or intermediate paddlers, in the company of a guide—perfect for families who want to raft together. Keep a lookout for local wildlife such as big horn sheep and blue heron as you paddle, learning about the area through your guide's commentary.

Tackling seven miles (11.2 kilometers) on the Arkansas River with Class III rapids alone can be a little extreme if you don’t have any experience. This whitewater rafting trip with a guide allows all skill levels, including beginners, to feel confident on the water. Your guide goes over safety procedures and paddling tips before you set out, and you’ll stop on the way to enjoy an included riverside lunch.

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

Novice and advanced rafters alike agree that running Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River makes for a fun-filled day on the water. Admire canyon scenery as you head through white water, including rapids such as Pinball and Big Drop. Lunch is also included for you to enjoy partway through the trip.

Come enjoy a unique Colorado white water rafting and dining experience. Ideal for families with young children and groups looking for mild white water rafting in Colorado with a delicious ending. Float from our office for about 30-45 minutes to the Riverside Bar and Grill where you can relax over dinner with your family and friends. Included in the trip cost per person are river shoe rentals and a meal voucher that generally covers an entree and drink. Total trip duration, including check-in, shuttle, float and dining time is 2-3 hours.

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).

Experienced whitewater paddlers will enjoy the thrill of rafting on the Arkansas Rive through Browns Canyon on this challenging full-day tour. With a guide to usher you through the intermediate rapids such as the Big Drop, Zoom Flume, and Pinball, everyone will feel safe and comfortable. On calm stretches, you can take in views of some of Colorado's bucolic natural scenery and local wildlife.

Explore Buena Vista with ease and comfort on this private e-bike tour. The city’s high altitude can be difficult for those who are not accustomed to it; e-bikes make your experience easier so you can focus on your surroundings rather than pedaling. Depending on your group’s skill level, your guide takes you on different trails to explore Colorado’s countryside.

Experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of a whitewater rafting adventure on this professionally guided, half-day, small-group excursion. Crash through the Class IV rapids of the Arkansas River, home to world-class kayak competitions. See pine forests lining the river banks and the Collegiate Peaks towering over 14,000 feet above the river’s corridor. Paddlers must be at least 18 years old. All boating equipment — rain gear, drinking water and a personal floatation device — are included.

Enjoy two Colorado adventures in one day with this combo tour that begins with whitewater rafting and ends with ziplining. You'll paddle down the Arkansas River through Browns Canyon National Monument, one of the most scenic sections of the river. Then take to the treetops for a zipline experience in the mountains.

COVID 19 Pre-trip screening for all guests: MASKS are required during transportation. This DAILY trip includes 14 miles and 4 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.

Travel through Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River on this whitewater rafting tour that departs from a location near Buena Vista, about 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Breckenridge. Both first-time and experienced rafters are welcome on this classic river-rafting excursion, where you'll navigate rapids with a guide.

The Numbers Section on the Arkansas River offers one of the best class IV rafting in the state. These rapids are so continuous that they are numbered rather than given real names. This section flows through a narrow and rocky section that requires technical maneuvering. This river is appropriate for active, athletic individuals who are looking for an adventurous trip. Participants are required to paddle hard when needed and listen to their guide at all times.