WHITE WATER RAFTING DAY TRIPS
Our most popular white water rafting trips run through Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River. Conveniently located in central Colorado, Browns Canyon offers fantastic white water rafting for all levels of experience. Families, adult groups, scouts, camps and individuals enjoy Browns Canyon year after year. The rapids are challenging enough for seasoned rafters, and yet the natural pool-drop flow of the river provides breaks between rapids making it suitable for kids as young as 7.
Half or Full Day?
One of our most frequently asked questions regarding Browns Canyon is the difference between the half and full day trips.
The Full Day trip starts in the town of Buena Vista – hitting three major rapids right away. Mellow water follows through the Milk Run before you stop for a delicious deli-style lunch. The afternoon brings you into the heart of Browns Canyon where you will be greeted with exciting class III-IV whitewater and gorgeous canyon scenery. Pass the half day takeout and hit two more heart pounding rapids before calling it a day!
The Half Day starts south of our office at Fisherman’s Bridge, above Browns Canyon National Monument. Splash through fun and exciting class III-IV rapids and take in the beauty of the canyon.
Next Most Popular?
Arkansas River: Numbers Half or Full Day (Advanced)
#2: Numbers Trips – Arkansas River
Our most popular advanced rafting trips run through The Numbers section of the Arkansas River. Located in central Colorado, The Numbers offers fast-paced, challenging white water rafting for experienced and thrill-seeking rafters.
- Half Day or Full Day Trips
- Browns/Numbers Combo Full Day Trip
- 2.5 hours southwest of Denver
- Class IV-V whitewater
- Ages 14+
Half or Full Day?
The Full Day trip starts about 15 minutes north of Buena Vista. Within 5 minutes of hitting the river you are tackling many of the Arkansas River’s most challenging rapids. Experience non-stop whitewater, technical paddling and adrenaline packed drops all before you stop for lunch! Take a break and enjoy delicious deli-style sandwiches. As soon as you get back in the river, take on the continuous and exciting rapids of the Narrows. Here you will be greeted with class III-IV rapids accompanied by gorgeous mountain views and large cottonwood trees hugging the river. Before wrapping up your day you will drop through three additional major rapids ending at our riverside facility. No end of the day shuttle!
On the Half Day you start at the same location as the Full Day trip, finishing the trip just before lunch.
Arkansas River: Lower Browns Canyon Half Day (Mild)
#3: Lower Browns Canyon Half Day Trip – Arkansas River
Our most popular mild water rafting trips run through the Lower Browns Canyon section of the Arkansas River. Located in central Colorado, Lower Browns Canyon offers gentile rafting suitable for all levels of experience, particularly families and groups with small children or elderly folks.
- Half Day Trips
- 2.5 hours southwest of Denver
- Class II-III whitewater
- Ages 4+
On the Half Day trip you start about 20 minutes south of Buena Vista, at Stone Bridge access. Here the river moves quickly around ripples and a few small, yet exciting, rapids. Enjoy sweeping mountain views before rafting through the town of Salida to finish up your adventure.
Arkansas River: Royal Gorge Full Day (Advanced)
#4: Royal Gorge Full Day Trip – Arkansas River
Our most rapid-packed white water rafting adventure! The Full Day trip starts 20 miles west of Cañon City at Pinnacle Rock Recreation Site. This is the only Arkansas River trip that does not meet at our main office located in Buena Vista. The Royal Gorge offers rafters non-stop, thrilling rapids in one of Colorado’s most beautiful settings. The first half of your day takes you through the exciting warm up section of Bighorn Sheep Canyon. After a delicious deli-style sandwich lunch, you will enter the Gorge where you will encounter the most challenging rapids of the day. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of sheer 1,000’ cliffs and float under the famous Royal Gorge Bridge.
- Full Day Trips
- 2.5 hours south of Denver
- Class IV-V whitewater
- Ages 14+
Royal Gorge or The Numbers?
We get this question a lot! Both the Royal Gorge and The Numbers are class IV-V advanced white water, but they differ very much in scenery, technicality and length.
The Numbers is our first raftable section of the river and is higher in elevation. Your adventure starts off quickly tackling six miles of extremely challenging whitewater. The full day includes an additional nine miles of moderate and thrilling white water. The scenery surrounding the Numbers is high alpine beauty at its finest with towering mountains in the distance, large pine and cottonwood trees and an occasional moose sighting.
The Royal Gorge starts off in a great warm up section of moderate white water allowing you to hone in your skills before tackling the more challenging rapids of the inner gorge for a total 18 miles on the river. This is our last raftable section of the river at a lower elevation with generally warmer weather. The first half of the trip runs alongside the highway among rolling hills of volcanic boulders and the very common sighting of Bighorn Sheep, while the second half is secluded with steep canyon walls.
Salt River: Half or Full Day (Intermediate)
Half and Full Day Trips – Salt River, Arizona
Exceptional springtime rafting in the Arizona wilderness! Our trips are suitable for all levels of experience, and suitable for families and adventure seekers. The Salt River is located east of Phoenix and north of Tuscon, about 45 miles north of Globe, AZ. All Salt River trips meet and depart where Hwy 60 and the Salt River come together. We have clean changing room facilities at this location for your convenience.
- Half Day, Full Day and Full Day ‘Sprint’ Trips
- 2.5 hours east of Phoenix
- Class III-IV whitewater
- Ages 8+
The Full Day trip begins near the meeting point, and within a few minutes you are splashing through exciting rapids. Take a breath and admire the stunning red-faced cliffs that jut skyward from the rivers edge before tackling more challenging and technical white water. Stop at our riverside lunch facilities and enjoy a hot steak, chicken and veggie fajita lunch. After lunch, hit the river and wind your way through more thrilling white water – and if time allows, take a quick hike up to a stunning waterfall.
The Full Day ‘Sprint’ trip starts later than the normal Full Day, covers the same distance as the Full Day, but instead of stopping for a full lunch, you will stop for a quick snack. Half Day trips depart from the same location as the Full Day and finish up before lunch.
