*Minimum age will increase at high water
A Colorado overnight rafting trip on the Arkansas River is a true bucket-list worthy adventure. Choose from a 2-day, 3-day, 4-day or 5-day option. Our expert and professional guides will lead you through some of the most popular river stretches in the country. Enjoy riverside camping, meals prepared for you by our guides and the excitement of Colorado whitewater.
Day 1: Begin your journey at our base near Buena Vista, Colorado, where you’ll meet your guides and fellow adventurers. After a thorough safety briefing, we’ll embark on our first day of rafting, tackling the class III-IV rapids of the Narrows. Settle into our riverside camp for the night and unwind under the vast night sky.
Day 2: Wake up to the peaceful sounds of nature and savor a delicious breakfast prepared by our guides. Today, we’ll continue our rafting adventure, navigating through challenging rapids and the canyon scenery of Browns Canyon. Enjoy a scenic lunch along the riverbank before reaching our next campsite, where you can relax or explore the surrounding wilderness.
Day 3: Dive deeper into the wilderness as we embark on another day of rafting Upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. This is a section that you can request to dip your own paddle in the water using one of our inflatable kayaks! In the evening, gather around the campfire for stories, stargazing, and camaraderie with your fellow travelers.
Day 4: Wind down from the past 3 days of adventure while enjoying a mild float through the class II rapids of Lower Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Be sure to take in the incredible views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife sightings along the riverbanks as we make our way through remote stretches of untouched nature.
Day 5: Go out with a bang rafting through the class IV-V Royal Gorge on day 5. Our final day on the river offers one last chance to soak in the beauty of the landscape and enjoy the thrill of rafting before reaching the end of our journey.
Price listed includes transportation to the put-in and back to our office. Price listed does not include land and water access fees (9%) or gratuity for your guide.
This 2-day Arkansas River trip offers the most continuous white water available on a self-contained 2-day trip in the state. Over two days, you’ll navigate the thrilling rapids of the Narrows and Browns Canyon, soak in stunning canyon scenery, and camp beneath the stars along the river. Expert guides will lead you through exhilarating whitewater and ensure your safety and enjoyment.
Take on the Arkansas River’s most popular class V sections, the Numbers and the Royal Gorge with seasoned and professional guides. Riverside camping includes freshly prepared meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. This vehicle-assisted overnight trip will meet and depart from our office near Buena Vista, CO.
Our 3-day Arkansas River trips combine three of the Arkansas River’s best white water sections the Narrow, Browns Canyon and Upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. This self-contained overnight camping and white water rafting vacation. Unlike the 2-day trip, our extended excursion offers additional time to jump in an inflatable kayak to personally challenge the river.
This 5-day Arkansas River trip combines all of the Arkansas River’s best white water sections into an epic multi-day rafting adventure. Wilderness Aware is the only company in Colorado that offers an Arkansas River rafting trip of this length. Experience the Narrows, Browns Canyon, Upper Bighorn Sheep and Royal Gorge sections of the Arkansas River. This is our favorite multi-day trip on the Arkansas River and the longest rafting tour available in Colorado during mid to late summer.
*Minimum age will increase at high water
We have tents, sleeping bags and ground pads available to rent if you would prefer that over bringing your own! Tents are $20 per trip and comfortably sleep 2 adults with gear. A sleeping bag with a ground pad is $20. And if you only want the ground pad it is $10.
We don’t recommend bringing along your cell phone, but we understand how hard it is to unplug for multiple days! If you decide to bring it along, we recommend leaving it in your dry bag where you will have access to it at camp.
All gear that is not being worn on the river will be put in your 3.5 cubic foot dry bag that we provide for you. The only thing you will not put in there is the tent! Any medications or other items that are necessary throughout the day will be placed in the guides’ day bag that is accessible throughout the day. Anything in your dry bag will be strapped in on a gear boat and will only be accessible at camp.
We survey over 5,000 guests each year to find out what made their experience with us exceptional and what we could do to make it even better. Using that input, here are a few examples of the efforts we have made that set us apart as a leader in the outdoor industry:
• 1/2 to 10-day adventures on six Colorado and Arizona rivers
• Outstanding safety record
• Elite handpicked guides – some of the most highly trained professionals on the river
• Helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly office staff
• First class amenities – clean restrooms, retail store, and licensed food preparation facilities
• Top-of-the-line equipment – cleaned and upgraded regularly
• 2-way radios for better safety
• Custom-tailored trips to provide you with the best possible experience
• Free use of our dog kennel
For full-day trips, we provide all rafting equipment, including Coast Guard-approved lifejackets, rain ponchos, wool sweaters, and waterproof storage for your personal items. Transportation to and from the river is included, and we serve a deli-style lunch. Wetsuits, booties, and paddle jackets are available for rent if needed.
On multi-day trips, in addition to everything offered on full-day trips, we provide fresh meals from lunch on the first day to lunch on the last day. We also set up a kitchen shelter, camp chairs, and a portable toilet at camp. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
For full-day trips, bring quick-dry clothing (shorts and a swimsuit are recommended), sunscreen, sunglasses, and a reusable water bottle. We’ll have water refills available at lunch. We also provide a complete packing list for your convenience.
For multi-day trips, in addition to your river gear, pack a change of clothes for camp, toiletries, personal drinks (if you’d like to supplement the provided lemonade and water), and entertainment. You can bring your own tent and sleeping bag, or rent them from us if needed. A full packing list is available for trips as well.
A guide captains every boat. Our guides represent the most qualified professionals in the industry. Guides must attend a 5-day interview trip prior to being hired. They are thoroughly experienced in the techniques of river running and are first-aid and CPR-certified. Before guiding their first commercial trip, our guides receive river training that far exceeds the state requirement. What sets our guides apart is the personal attention they give our guests. Our crew of fun-loving professionals is dedicated to making each and every trip the finest possible.
We regularly conduct interpretive workshops to provide our guides with additional information on the natural, cultural, and political history of the rivers we run. We are proud of our staff and we know you will enjoy this fine group of people.
Up to seven guests plus the guide can paddle in a raft. We can take eight people if someone is willing to ride in the middle of the raft as a passenger. Groups larger than eight people must split between multiple rafts. We reserve the right to split groups as necessary and may adjust the maximum boat loads based on water levels.
Cancellation Policy (NON-discounted reservations): If your group or any person in your group cancels more than 14 days before the trip’s check-in time, a full refund will be provided. If cancellations are made within 14 days, no refund will be provided for any reason.
Cancellation Policy (DISCOUNTED reservations): If your reservation has a discount applied and you wish to cancel, you will not receive a refund. You may reschedule or receive a trip credit (digital gift card code) with the purchase of cancellation insurance.
Discounted Trip Cancellation Insurance: Available for 7.5% of the total trip cost at the time of booking. With insurance, giving at least 24 hours’ notice for single-day trips or 5 days’ notice prior to multi-day trips would allow discounted trips to be rescheduled one time or cancel and receive a gift certificate valid for one calendar year. Rescheduled trips become non-refundable.
Tipping is appropriate, particularly if you have received exceptional customer service. Our guides are high quality service workers. A tip of 10 – 15 percent per guest is customary. You will have the opportunity to tip your guide directly at the conclusion of your trip.
If you had the time of your life, then the sky is the limit! We also appreciate your comments. We use your feedback to recognize extraordinary customer service and to discover areas where we can make improvements. Our goal is to exceed your expectations!
In Colorado, we rarely have an entire day of bad weather. It is sunny in the morning almost every day. Afternoon thunderstorms are fairly common in July and August and are typically mild and short-lived. In Arizona, it can still get chilly in March, and during that time we typically suggest you wear a wetsuit, etc. In April and early May in Arizona, it is typically very warm or hot.
We raft rain or shine. We will not cancel or cut short trips due to rain and/or thunderstorm conditions (including lighting).
Many people come with only their normal vacation attire. We can outfit you with anything you need that is special for rafting or camping. See our full FAQ page for more information.
Drugs or alcohol are not to be consumed before or during your trip. This includes marijuana. No refund will be given to those drinking alcohol or using drugs prior to the trip. On multi-day camping and rafting trips, alcohol may be consumed while at camp. Please remember that rafting trips operate in a very remote area with difficult access for emergencies. Try to avoid glass containers.
If you join us on a multi-day trip, we can offer whitewater merit badges instruction!
Get set for your adventure! Here, you’ll find everything you need to gear up and get ready. From essential packing lists and detailed directions to convenient waiver forms and comprehensive river maps, we’ve got you covered. Prepare to dive into the excitement of white water rafting with confidence and ease.
Choose from a variety of Colorado rivers, day trips, and multi-day trips to find just the right option for you and your crew. Better hustle, because they’re booking up quick!
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.
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