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COLORADO & BUENA VISTA WHITE WATER RAFTING

Colorado white water rafting since 1976

Popular Buena Vista white water rafting trips and beyond

Wilderness Aware is the premier Colorado and Buena Vista white water rafting outfitter since 1976. Known for providing thrilling river rafting experiences on five different rivers throughout the state. With 47+ years of expertise in river rafting Colorado and extensive knowledge of the area’s waterways, Wilderness Aware has become a trusted provider of unforgettable rafting trips. Whether you’re a seasoned rafter or a first-time adventurer, Wilderness Aware offers a range of options for Colorado white water rafting. Join us for an experience of a lifetime and discover the beauty and excitement of Colorado and Buena Vista white water rafting.

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overnight trips

Arkansas River – 2, 3 and 5 Day Trips

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Half & Full Day Trips

Arkansas River: browns canyon – numbers – royal gorge

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Family Trips

Lower Browns Canyon Float

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BROWN’S CANYON RAFTING

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FULL-DAY

$150 PER PERSON

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HALF-DAY

$100 PER PERSON

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One of the best times of my life!

Dylnn R.

explore the arkansas

America’s most popular white water rafting river

browns canyon

challenging yet forgiving

The Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas River is the most popular whitewater section in the U.S., because it is challenging enough for experienced rafters, yet forgiving enough for first-timers.

numbers

technical and steep

The Numbers section of the Arkansas River is steep and rocky, making it very technical and challenging. This section of Arkansas River whitewater is for those looking for an action-packed, highly challenging adventure.

royal gorge

big and powerful

The Royal Gorge is one of the most spectacular stretches of the Arkansas River, known not only for its sheer, steep canyon walls, but also for its big, powerful, technical rapids.

narrows

beautiful and secluded

The Narrows offers non-stop exciting whitewater through a beautifully secluded section of the Arkansas River. Large cottonwood trees line the river, where the stunning 14,000 peaks of the Collegiate Peaks dominate the horizon.

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Google Reviews

Wilderness Aware Rafting

4.9

Based on 446 reviews

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Amy Castello

22:38 03 Sep 22

The facilities are very up-to-date and clean. Every person we encountered was helpful and funny (a big plus). The trip was breathtaking and some parts were challenging and some relaxing. Danny, our guide, made it so enjoyable and I felt like a pro by the need.

Christina Misail

03:28 08 Aug 22

Best Rafting Experience Ever!! Thanks to our awesome guide Justin, he was top notch. He knew every twist & turn on the water and just about everything in CO!!! Couldn’t have asked for a better time. Staff working inside were kind and friendly! Great place overall! Highly recommend. Go here! For real! It’s Awesome!

Johanna Robbins

02:15 01 Aug 22

If you’re trying to choose from the long list of guide companies for a fun filled day on the water, look no further! By far the best time I’ve ever had rafting! We ended being the only two doing the numbers full day trip and our guide, Gomez, made sure we got the experience we wanted! He was even kind enough to explain some guiding principles and how to read the river for me. He also got us an awesome experience surfing the big wave in the buena vista water park! Amazing guide and awesome trip on an exciting stretch of the Arkansas! The set up at Wilderness Aware was also better than others I have experienced. Great experience all around!

Ben Thomas

02:57 28 Jul 22

Great time on the river! Did Brown’s Canyon half day raft trip. Perfect for beginners. Plenty of easy portions and then some really good rapids.Guides were awesome. Highly recommend

travis rakestraw

12:10 22 Jul 22

Highly recommend! Their facility is very nice with clean restrooms and room for changing clothes. The guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. The trip through Browns Canyon was great. We chose WA because we had our dog and needed a kennel. Everything worked out great!

Leah Kefalos

18:50 01 Jul 22

My family did a 3 day rafting/camping trip with guides Ellie and Rose and had a blast. Ellie and Rose were incredible- super fun, funny, smart, strong, and professional. They worked so hard and made sure we had fun and stayed safe. We had such an amazing experience and with the best guides!

Dean P

23:38 26 Jun 22

Beyond an amazing experience. Justin is an amazing guy. Veteran rafter with amazing skills. He also has great information about the area. We did the royal gorge full day and we regret nothing.My wife and 14 year old son had never rafted and we managed the bigger rapids. Couldn't be more pleased with this experience, it's worth every penny. And they have a more personalized experience than the tourist trap companies. We left early and had the river to ourselves

Michael O'Neal

22:18 23 Jun 22

Drake was our guide on our half day Brown's Canyon and he was great. Very personable, friendly yet professional. He was very knowledgeable and informative of the area we were rafting. I had rafted before but it was my wife's first time. She was nervous at first, but by the the time we we're done she was ready to book a full day for the next day. Highly recommend Wildnerness Aware. All their staff we ran into were great.

Cori Mazer

21:46 22 Jun 22

Wilderness Aware is a large rafting company that manages a lot of customers and trips on the Arkansas River. While it is clear that they are a bigger outfitter in the area, they make sure every customer is attended to with regards to safety, attire, and having a fun time!I went on the Numbers full day trip with the very experienced, welcoming Tony. With his 15+ years of experience, I felt completely safe going through some technical rapids! He also provided a full lunch (that can be vegan/veggie). A truly fantastic day on the river! Thank you Tony!

Kaylene Friesen

23:48 20 Jun 22

Wilderness Aware is who you want to go with for your Brown's Canyon rafting adventures on the Arkansas River! We took our 13-year old granddaughter on the half-day trip and we all loved it. Coltrain was our guide and he was thorough with safety measures while also keeping us smiling with his jokes and encouragement. He was also very knowledgeable about the area and shared great facts and stories along the way. We were very glad that we rented the Stay Warm package with wetsuits, booties, and splash jackets since we were drenched and happy by the time we got to the pullout. We also chose to buy the whole package of digital photos and they were delivered immediately to our email. We've included just a few of our favorites here. Wilderness Aware did not disappoint!

Michelle Gold

00:02 19 Jun 22

We had such a fun time in our half day canyon run. The staff was helpful and friendly. Colton, our guide, was very skilled at guiding and had a calm presence which made me feel comfortable and confident in the boat. We will totally use WA when we return and maybe even do an overnight trip!

Cheryl Washington

01:58 17 Jun 22

AMAZING day in Brown's Canyon for a full day trip! Check in and gear rental went well, mandatory safety instruction about the river/raft safety was definitely a must and the staff was very thorough yet reassuring. On that note, Pascal (our raft) and Gatlin (buddy raft) were PHENOMENAL guides on our trip. First leg of the trip had thrilling rapids with 43°F water 🌊. Glad we had wet suits!! Lunch was set up and provided by the guides, then the 2nd leg of the trip was absolutely exhilarating!! Bucket list includes returning for Numbers !

FLA BOY

03:41 16 Jun 22

What a great trip! My family absolutely enjoyed it even with a nervous wife and a 13 year old boy w Down Syndrome. The guides, Danny & Geoff, were outstanding…experienced, knowledgable, and enjoyable. Lunch was over-the-top. We will always remember our trip and be back for another one. With much gratitude, the Quinn’s from Jacksonville, FL.

Vincent Palermo

05:30 14 Jun 22

First class operation! Very nice facility with changing rooms/ bathrooms. Jake was our guide and was excellent! Jake could get a raft down any river, making it look easy!

Haley Nord

17:26 12 Jun 22

We had an amazing time doing the full day Browns Canyon tour. Our guide was really knowledgeable and the staff was helpful getting us the right rentals we needed for the conditions. Excited to come back and do Numbers!

David Eagerton

18:55 02 Jun 22

Most amazing day I've had in a long time. Great crew and big thanks to Grace our guide who was super awesomeness

nancy root

12:43 11 May 22

It was our first whitewater rafting experience, our guide Kat, used an oar boat, she really knew the river, and how to maneuver the rough spots. We never felt we were going to be ejected into the water, or have fear of pending doom😁 had a blast, highly recommended them, especially Kat! See you again soon!

Chelsea Crumpacker

21:25 31 Jul 21

Guide was Lana and she was great. This was my first white water raft experience level 3 and I am ready for more.

Thomas Simmons

02:21 17 Jun 21

They never disappoint! This place is clean, organized, friendly, and safe! The staff are super helpful and accommodating. Worth making a reservation. You won't regret it.

Jonathan Restrepo

00:21 04 Jun 21

An amazing experience, our guide was excellent. The half-day Brown's Canyon run is a great option for those without prior experience.

John Awrylo

13:32 30 Aug 20

Rafting on the river in Colorado life doesn't get a whole lot better

Yelp Reviews

We had a great time! Our guide, Michael, was informative and fun and everything was described in detail so we felt comfortable. We did the 'family' trip, with the grandparents and our 5 year old- perfect length and ability level.

Heidi I.
8/30/2019

Great company! Very professional, surprising and delicious lunch mid-way. We took our 10 and 11 year olds and we had a fantastic guide, Walt. He gave great directions, provided history of the formations, and kept us all in the boat! We did rescue another rafter who went over and the guide gave specific directions to us to stay on track while pulling out the other woman. It was a bit scary but all turned out well. Great water through Browns Canyon and the scenery cannot be missed. Highlight of our two weeks in CO. The 10 year old is still smiling! Recommend!

Lea C.
8/02/2019

We had a great time on a full day trip down Browns canyon. No complaints at all. Our guide was Kayla and she was wonderful. Funny bad jokes and a really good rafter.

Jason A.
7/26/2019
We used this rafting company 8 years ago when visiting Colorado. When we visited Colorado again this past June, we were so excited to go rafting again with Wilderness Aware. We rafted Brown's Canyon, half day. We had the most AWESOME guide, Brent. He was incredibly knowledgeable and made the experience fun and a great experience. Brent had the ability to bring the boat together-lots of shared laughter. I was particularly impressed for his concern and preparation of a younger rafter who was a bit nervous. His ability to reassure the young rafter and also provide him with a remarkably fun adventure was so amazing. All the staff was amazing, helpful, and well skilled to make this experience one to remember. And the river was AMAZING!

A M.
7/26/2019

We loved our trip and purposely selected the Class 2-3 rapid trip for a relaxing ride -- though there was still plenty of excitement. Our guide was beyond outstanding; we felt completely safe; the river was gorgeous. We had our two girls ages 9 & 12 who had never been rafting and they fell in love with it. I would highly recommend Wilderness Aware -- my uncle has lived in Buena Vista for 30 years and specifically recommended them. Five stars for sure!!

Carolyn M.
7/26/2019

Really fun raft down Brown's Canyon. My guide was knowledgeable and fun and I had a great time with friends. The water was only 45 degrees, so I chose to rent the wet suit package and was so grateful that I did.

Elizabeth J.
7/25/2019
These guys are great. I took my 2 children (age 9 and 11) on a trip through the Lower Brown Canyon and we had a great time. The rapids were mild, but just enough for them to get splashed a couple of times. Other than that it was a very peaceful and relaxing adventure.
The guides were very knowledgeable and experienced.

John C.
7/22/2019

These guys were great. I did the 1/2 day Brown Canyon run. They were well organized, the guides (Tyler was mine) were engaging and knowledgeable of both the river and the craft. The shuttle was short and sweet and they had snacks at the end! Totally recommend this company.

Tim C.
7/21/2019

Came here from Charlotte, NC to meet up with some friends and go on an overnight rafting trip. I cannot say enough great things about the trip or our two wonderful guides Lindsey and Olivia! They were fun, attentive and they really made sure we had the best time possible! Thanks so much ladies for the amazing experience and I hope to see you again next year!

Jose R.
6/24/2019
Outstanding trip. Been rafting in CO several times, and this was hands down the best outfitter I have been to. Great facility. Clean, well organized, and great desk staff. Equipment was in great shape, and for those that have rafted before, you will enjoy clean and ODOR FREE wet suits and dry shirts. Our guide Mara W. was professional, fun, and was very attentive. Ask for her and you will have a great trip. Can't say enough about this group, and we will not use another company in future trips on the Arkansas.

Doug R.
6/23/2019

What a fantastic trip. We took our kids on a multi-day trip down the Arkansas. The river was running big and my kids were a bit intimidated by that . Our guides Brent and Olivia did a fantastic job instructing everyone on what to do and keeping them excited despite their fear. Both guides were extremely skilled a knowledgeable. When we were not on the river, both guides were experts and setting up camp, preparing great meals and tending to our every need. If you're lucky enough to get Brent and Olivia as guides, you will have the time of your life. Just don't get suckered into playing Euchre with them, they are ringers!!

Hugh R.
6/23/2019

Great day on the water. Felt very well cared for by guide Justin and the team. Water was very cold; snow often in the Numbers. Everyone fussed till I warmed up. Glad they trusted me that I could do afternoon Narrows. Sun came out in afternoon. Really felt like a good company, focused on safe fun with experienced, well trained guides.

Yvonne H.
5/19/2019

Traveling to Arizona? Check out our Salt River rafting trips with Arizona Rafting.

stuff we are proud of

Wilderness Aware Rafting is proud to be a Colorado & Buena Vista white water rafting outfitter under the National Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. All or part of this operation is conducted on Public Lands under special permit from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Wilderness Aware Rafting is an equal opportunity service provider and employer.