Top Tours & Activities in Buena Vista

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!  

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

The Browns Canyon National Monument whitewater rafting trip on the Arkansas River in Colorado is arguably the best family whitewater rafting trip in the country. Just outside of the little mountain town of Salida Colorado, the Browns Canyon rafting trip offers awesome and exciting class III+ rapids that is great families with kids 7 and older and whitewater enthusiasts of all ages and abilities.

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.

Enjoy a scenic class II float through scenic mountain vistas and the beautiful historic downtown of Salida Colorado.

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).

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

The Browns Canyon Sizzler offers thrilling whitewater appropriate for everyone in your group, and first-time rafters through experienced river rats will enjoy navigating moderate rapids through the majestic Browns Canyon National Monument.

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.

Take your own non guided adventure on the Arkansas River. Float through the Salida play waves and walk the river path to do it again, or grab a shuttle, or shuttle your own vehicle and take a long float into our out of downtown historic Salida.

Journey through the heart of the Rockies on our Crested Butte via Cottonwood Pass tour. This scenic drive offers an exhilarating blend of natural beauty and serene landscapes as you ascend to the summit of Cottonwood Pass, one of the highest mountain roads in Colorado. Witness panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, and revel in the lush, wildflower-filled meadows of Crested Butte, often referred to as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” This tour provides not just a visual feast but also an opportunity to experience the tranquil charm of mountain towns along the way.

Unique E-Bike Experience: Effortlessly explore 20 miles of Colorado’s Sawatch Range with electric bikes, blending adventure and ease. Scenic Chalk Creek Canyon: Ride through stunning landscapes with aspen groves, hot springs, and towering peaks. Historic St. Elmo Ghost Town: Step into a well-preserved 1880s mining town, rich with history and charm. Wildlife Interaction: Feed friendly chipmunks in St. Elmo for a delightful, hands-on nature moment. Breathtaking Mountain Views: Enjoy panoramic vistas of the Collegiate Peaks, perfect for photos. Accessible Adventure: E-bikes make the tour inclusive for various fitness levels, no expert cycling needed. Hiking Opportunities: Add short trail hikes near St. Elmo for deeper exploration of the area’s beauty. Time Travel Vibe: Immerse in the Old West, connecting with Colorado’s mining heritage in a fun, engaging way.

Historic Midland Tunnels: Ride through four iconic railroad tunnels, steeped in Buena Vista’s mining history. Scenic Arkansas River: Enjoy stunning river views alongside the dramatic Collegiate Peaks. E-Bike Ease: Effortlessly cover 10 miles on electric bikes, perfect for all fitness levels. Beginner-Friendly: Paved and dirt paths ensure a smooth, accessible ride for everyone. Epic Scenery: Capture breathtaking vistas of mountains and riverfront landscapes. Spot Climbers: Watch rock climbers scale nearby cliffs, adding excitement to the journey. Eco-Friendly Adventure: Explore sustainably with zero-emission e-bikes, preserving nature’s beauty. Curated Experience: Epic Happy Adventures crafts a fun, engaging tour blending history and outdoor thrills.

Embark on a scenic journey to the world-famous ski destination of Breckenridge, traveling via the 11,542’ Hoosier Pass, and then through the historic town of Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America. This route captivates with a unique blend of historical richness and stunning alpine scenery. Ascend through rugged mountain landscapes to Breckenridge, where quaint streets and ski slopes await, then explore Leadville’s rich mining heritage. This tour is ideal for those looking to combine cultural insights with breathtaking nature and leisure in one of Colorado’s premier vacation spots.

The Numbers Half Day Adventure features constant, challenging whitewater within the Numbers Section (Class IV) of the Arkansas River. This trip offers continuous, action-filled rafting with pour-overs and steep drops, with notable rapids such as House Rock and Frog Rock. This trip is for physically fit and experienced rafters looking for a challenge!

Enjoy a scenic drive to Aspen via the spectacular Independence Pass, standing as Colorado’s highest paved road at 12,095 feet. This route offers stunning mountain views, rich in natural beauty and historical significance, leading you straight into the heart of Aspen. Perfect for those who appreciate both the great outdoors and a bit of leisure, this tour allows you to experience breathtaking landscapes and the charm of Aspen’s shops and cafes. Ideal for photography buffs and casual explorers alike, it promises a mix of adventure and relaxation in one of Colorado’s most iconic settings.

Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River stands out as a premier rafting destination, renowned for its thrilling Class 3 rapids and stunning scenery. This nationally popular run combines exhilarating whitewater with accessible thrills, making it ideal for families and those new to rafting. As you navigate the rapids, you'll enjoy the beauty of Browns Canyon National Monument, where rugged rock formations and lush greenery frame the river’s path. The clear, cool waters splash through straightforward rapids, offering an exciting yet manageable ride. Surrounded by the majestic beauty of the canyon, the experience blends adventure with picturesque views, ensuring a memorable outing for ages 6 and up.