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Arkansas River Narrows - Pre-Trip
Information
Here's How to Find US!
Here's What You Need to Know
Please share with everyone in your group. If you have any
questions or need additional information call us at 1-800-462-7238.
DEPARTURE and RETURN TIMES
Please arrive 30-45
minutes before your trip departure time - You may want to allow more time to
leisurely enjoy our complimentary continental breakfast.
|
Trip |
Departs |
Returns |
|
AM 1/2 Day |
9:00 am |
12:00 pm |
|
Full-Day Express |
9:00 am |
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm |
WHERE TO MEET
Your trip departs from the
Wilderness Aware office at 12600 US Hwy 24 and 285, Buena Vista, CO (3 miles
south east of Buena Vista - see map) Look for our mountain shaped sign on the
north side of the highway, just east of the river and Johnson Village at mile
marker 213.8.
View Larger
Map
We suggest you use a
Colorado state map and plan for delays.
Directions to your meeting point at Wilderness Aware
Rafting near Buena Vista, Colorado
Your trip departs from our office at 12600 US Hwy. 24 / 285
near Buena Vista, Colorado. Look for our mountain shaped sign on the north side
of US Hwy. 24 / 285 at mile marker 213.8 just east of the river and Johnson
Village. We suggest you use the
Colorado State Road
Map or Arkansas River
Region Road Map and plan for delays. Our preferred route from the
Metro-Denver area to Buena Vista is via Highway 285. As an alternative you can
take I-70 west from Denver to Copper Mountain and follow the 'Vail, I-70 and
Summit County' directions below. Visit our
Denver Region Map for
assistance on getting out of Denver.
Getting Out of Denver:
From North Denver,
I-70 west. Just before entering the mountains, take Exit 260 onto C-470 towards
Colorado Springs and continue on C-470 and exit at the Highway 285 and Fairplay
exit. Follow the Denver directions below once you are on Highway 285.
From Central Denver, take Hampden Avenue west.
Hampden Avenue turns into Highway 285 as you leave Denver. Follow the 'Denver'
directions once you are on Highway 285.
From South Denver, take C-470 towards Grand Junction
and continue on C-470 and exit at the Highway 285 and Fairplay exit. Follow the
Denver directions in the next paragraph once you are on Highway 285.
From Denver: Take Hwy. 285 south for about 120 miles
until you descend Trout Creek Pass into the Arkansas River Valley (about 35
miles or 40 minutes past the town of Fairplay). At the bottom of Trout Creek
Pass look for our mountain shaped sign at mile marker 213.8 on the right. Our
office is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River just before you enter
Johnson Village. Approximately 2-½ hours.
From Colorado Springs: Take US Highway 24 west to the
junction with US Highway 285 (about 80 miles or 1 ½ hours from Colorado
Springs). Turn left and proceed south on Highway 24 / 285 for about 20 minutes
until you enter the Arkansas River valley. At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass,
look for our mountain shaped sign on the right at mile marker 213.8. Our office
is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River and just before you enter
Johnson Village. Approximately 2 hours.
From Salida and all points South: From the junction
of Highways 50 and 285 in Poncha Springs (five miles west of Salida and 60
miles east of Gunnison) head north on Highway 285. Continue north 23 miles to
the junction of Highways 24 and 285 (2 miles south of Buena Vista). Turn right
(east) on Highway 24 / 285 and drive less than 1 mile through Johnson Village
and look for our mountain shaped sign at mile marker 213.8 on the left. Our
office is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River. Approximately 40
minutes from Salida.
From Vail, I-70 and Summit County: Take I-70 to
Copper Mountain and take Exit #195 onto Highway 91 south. Just before entering
Leadville, Highway 91 merges with Highway 24. Continue through Leadville on
Highway 24 and travel another 35 miles south along the river to the town of
Buena Vista (about 1 hour south of I-70). Turn left two miles south of Buena
Vista at the junction of Highways 24 and 285. Drive less than 1 mile through
Johnson Village and look for our mountain shaped sign on the left at mile
marker 213.8. Our office is just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River.
Approximately 1-½ hours.
From Aspen: Take Highway 82 east over Independence
Pass to the junction of Highways 82 and 24. Turn right on Highway 24 and
continue south along the river about 20 miles to the town of Buena Vista (about
20 minutes). Turn left two miles south of Buena Vista at the junction of
Highways 24 and 285. Drive less than 1 mile through Johnson Village and look
for our mountain shaped sign on the left at mile marker 213.8. Our office is
just east of the bridge over the Arkansas River. Approximately 1-½
hours.
From Breckenridge: Take Highway 9 south over Hoosier
Pass for 36 miles through the town of Fairplay to the stoplight at the junction
of Highways 9 and 285. Turn right on Highway 285 and go south for 35 miles
until you descend Trout Creek Pass into the Arkansas River Valley (40 minutes
from Fairplay). At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass look for our mountain shaped
sign on the right at mile marker 213.8. Our office is just east of the bridge
over the Arkansas River and just before you enter Johnson Village.
Approximately 1-½ hours.
WHAT TO BRING
- Do Not Wear Cotton on the River (no jeans or sweats)
- Swimming Suit and/or Shorts
- Sunglasses with Securing Strap
- Waterproof Sunscreen
- Waterproof Camera
- Hat or Visor
- Tennis Shoes or Sandals (no flip-flops or Crocs)
- Fleece Jacket or Synthetic Insulating Layer
- Change of Clothes and Towel (for after the trip)
- Cash for Souvenirs and Tipping Your Guide
- Water Bottle (If you don't want to share)
WE PROVIDE
| DRIVING
TIMES |
| Denver |
2½ hrs |
| Colorado
Spgs. |
2 hrs |
| Durango |
4 hrs |
| Grand Junct. |
4½ hrs |
| Vail |
1¾ hrs |
| Fort Collins |
3½ hrs |
| Aspen |
1½ hrs |
| Breckenridge |
1½ hrs |
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- Deli-Style Lunch on Full-Day Trips
- Free Continental Breakfast
- Post Trip Snack and Drink
- Professional Guide in Every Raft
- Rafting and Safety Equipment
- Shuttle from our Office to the River and Back
- Comfortable Changing Facilities
- Free Use of our Dog Kennel
HIGH WATER / COOL WEATHER RENTALS
- Wetsuits - $10/day or $7/half-day
- Wetsuit Booties - $5/day or half-day
- Splash Jacket - $5/day or half-day
- Be Warm! Package $17/day or $14/half-day (Includes
wetsuit, booties and splash jacket)
ORIENTATION: Prior to boarding
your raft, you will receive a complete safety orientation.
LIABILITY
RELEASE: Everyone will be required to sign a liability release form prior
to trip departure. Youths not riding with their parents will need to provide a
copy of our liability release signed by one or both parents. Please note that
unaccompanied youth must have a parent or guardian co-sign a liability release
ahead of time. These completed liabilities must be presented to us upon
check-in. Liabilities can be downloaded here.
TIPPING: Tipping is appropriate,
particularly if you have received exceptional customer service. If you believe
that a tip is appropriate we recommend an average tip of $10-$15/guest/day. We
always appreciate hearing from you so that we can recognize extraordinarily
customer service and we also appreciate hearing from you if you feel that there
are areas that we can improve upon. We strive to exceed your expectations!
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: We do not provide alcohol on our trips, and
alcohol is not permitted while on the river. Guests who have been drinking
prior to their trip will not go on the river and will not receive a refund.
NON-SWIMMERS: Many of our participants cannot swim. We provide U.S.
Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices designed to float you face-up
in whitewater. Personal floatation devices are required to be worn at all
times.
DAY GEAR: Each raft is equipped with a waterproof bag for any
small items that you may need during the day.
DRINKING WATER: We
carry drinking water on each raft. If you don't wish to share with others, feel
free to bring your own water bottle.
RETAIL STORE: We have a retail
store for those last minute items such as sunscreen and waterproof cameras.
Plan to check out our t-shirts, hats and souvenirs after the trip.
PHOTOS: Colorado Whitewater Photography takes photos of every raft.
8x10 prints and digital copies are normally available to view and purchase at
our office by the time your trip returns.
ALTITUDE: You will be
rafting at 8000 feet above sea level. Most people don't have serious problems
here, but shortness of breath and dehydration are possible. Come a day or two
early to acclimatize yourself if you can. We recommend that you drink plenty of
water during your stay.
PREGNANCY: We cannot take you rafting if you
are pregnant. This is for your own safety and that of your unborn child.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel more than 10 days prior to trip
departure we will refund all of your deposit less a $5/person cancellation fee.
If you cancel less than 10 days prior to trip departure there is no refund. We
reserve the right to reschedule, move or cancel any trip.
TRIP
CANCELLATION INSURANCE: Allows you to cancel all or part of your trip up to
24 hours prior to departure without penalty. The cost is $9.00/person/day and
$5/person/half-day. If you must cancel with less than 24 hours notice, but more
than 1 hour before departure, we can issue a gift certificate good for next
year's season. Insurance must be purchased for every member of the group at the
time of your deposit.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
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HOTELS / MOTELS |
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CAMPGROUNDS |
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Vista Inn |
800-809-3495 |
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Arrowhead Point Camping Resort |
800-888-7320 |
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Super 8 Motel |
800-800-8000 |
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Chalk Creek Campground |
719-395-8301 |
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Lakeside Motel |
800-248-7684 |
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National Forest Campgrounds |
877-444-6777 |
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BED AND BREAKFASTS |
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CABINS |
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Liar's Lodge |
888-542-7756 |
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Forest Creek Cabins |
800-603-7690 |
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Sawatch Vistas |
866-395-9199 |
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Thunder Lodge |
800-330-9194 |
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Room at the River |
719 395-8599 |
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Woodland Brook Cabins |
719-395-2922 |
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RESORTS |
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
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Mt. Princeton Hot Springs |
888-395-7799 |
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Buena Vista |
719-395-6612 |
|
Rainbow Lake Resort |
719-395-2509 |
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Salida |
719-539-2068 |
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