What’s in a name—the story behind Buena Vista’s proper pronunciation

Buena Vista’s proper pronunciation might be different than you think. When you call our office and ask about Browns Canyon rafting or the other white water rafting trips we offer throughout Colorado, you might feel as though the person on the other end doesn’t know a thing about Spanish and is butchering “Buena Vista”. Truth is, they’re absolutely correct in saying “BEW-na VIS-ta”.

Long before Buena Vista became the white water rafting destination we know today, it was a mining town. In the 1860’s the discovery of gold in Colorado inspired many settlers to head West towards Buena Vista. The lure of getting rich from mining, the abundant water supply from the Arkansas River, and the lush soil allowing for farming and cattle ranching, made this area irresistible to early settlers. In 1879 when the time came to incorporate into an official town, community members gathered together and came up with ideas for a name. Some suggestions included “Cottonwood” as in Cottonwood Creek, or “Mahonville” after the Mahon family who were one of the first to settle the area. Alsina Dearheimer suggested the name “Buena Vista.” Alsina wanted to put a unique twist on the name designating the pronunciation of Buena like “beautiful”.

Whether embarking on an Arkansas River rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument or taking in the stunning collegiate peaks from Main Street, the natural beauty radiates throughout town and it’s pretty clear why Alsina wanted to honor this. In Spanish Buena Vista literally translates to “good view” and the moment you set site on our town, you’ll probably agree good is a huge understatement.

We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to live and work in Buena Vista, Colorado. At Wilderness Aware Rafting, we offer exceptional outdoor experiences on stunning rivers in our backyard. Visit our website or give us a call if you are interested in experiencing Buena Vista rafting with Colorado’s top guides! 

Here are some of our favorite Buena Vista photos, old and new. We’d love to see yours! Tag @wa_rafting and share your #BeautifulBV photos on our Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.