White Water Rafting Breckenridge Colorado
SERIOUS
Fun
SINCE 1987
Founded in Breckenridge, CO, in 1987, The Adventure Company is the leading provider of white water rafting in Breckenridge, Colorado. Our Buena Vista rafting headquarters is ideally located on the bank of the Arkansas R., for perfect access to Colorado’s best whitewater rafting trips. We also offer trips on the Colorado R. and the Blue R. from convenient satellite locations.
We offer top-rated Colorado white water rafting trips for all skill levels, from family-friendly beginner rafting on the Milk Run to thrilling Class IV rapids on The Numbers. Whether you’re looking for rafting near Breckenridge, a scenic float near Vail, or the best Arkansas River rafting trips, we have an adventure for you.
With expert guides, premium safety standards, and competitive pricing, The Adventure Company helps ensure a safe, comfortable, and unforgettable Colorado rafting experience. Book your whitewater rafting adventure today!
CHECK OUT OUR MOST POPULAR RAFTING TRIPS FOR 2025
When is the Best Time for White Water Rafting in Breckenridge?
The best time to raft in the Breckenridge area is May through August. As a rafting outfitter born in Breckenridge, The Adventure Company offers the best rafting in the area. The best options are on the Arkansas River since it is a little lower in elevation, has warmer weather, and has some of the best rafting in the U.S.
The two factors to consider when deciding when to raft are weather and water levels. The weather in May can be cool but typically fairly warm in Buena Vista, home of the Arkansas River. Things warm up in June through August with typical highs in the upper 70s or low 80s. You can expect Buena Vista’s temperatures to be 10-15 degrees warmer than Breckenridge.
Since our river water comes from snowmelt, the levels vary throughout the summer, and even season to season. In May, water levels are rising with medium flows by the end of the month. June is generally higher with bigger splashes and a faster flow, requiring us to raise the minimum age for kids. July and the first half of August typically provide more moderate water levels. By the end of August, the river can be lower.
During lower flows, the rafting is more technical, requiring more precise maneuvers. At higher water, the splashes are bigger and can be a little more powerful. So, it is exciting at all levels and always feels different, since the water levels rarely stay the same.
What to Pack for Your White Water Rafting Adventure
Packing for a whitewater rafting trip in Colorado can feel overwhelming, but we make it simple. We provide FREE use of our sanitized wetsuit gear, which includes wetsuits, splash jackets, and neoprene shoes, ensuring you stay warm and comfortable on the water, no matter what the weather is like.
Here’s what we recommend bringing:
- Clothing: Wear quick drying performance materials like nylon shorts, bathing suits, poly pro, and thin polyester “sun shirts”. On cooler days, plan on wearing our wetsuit gear with a bathing suit underneath. You can also add a fleece layer under your splash jacket or knit hat under your helmet.
- Cotton: Avoid wearing cotton or denim as they make you colder when wet.
- Secure Footwear: You can wear sandals with a heel strap, water shoes, or tennis shoes. Expect shoes to get wet. You can rely on using our sanitized wetsuit shoes. Wearing Crocs, Flip Flops, or bare feet is not permitted.
- Extras: Bring a change of dry clothes for after your trip and sunglasses with a strap (we sell these in our office if you need one).
- Sun Protection: Colorado’s high altitude sun is strong, even on cloudy days. Apply sunscreen before your trip, and consider bringing a hat that fits under your helmet.
- Cameras or phones: We do not recommend bringing them on the river due to the risk of damage or losing them. Our photographers will take professional digital photos of each raft trip (except Pumphouse canyon) for viewing and purchase after your trip. We sell waterproof bags for cell phones that have a lanyard that goes around your neck, in our store.
- Hydration & Snacks: Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated or just drink some before and after your half day raft trip. For full day trips, water and lemonade are provided during lunch. Snacks can be purchased in our store or coffee shop.
- Secure Your Valuables: Lock unnecessary valuables in your car. We provide a secure parking lot and lockbox for your keys, so there’s no risk of losing them on the river.
- Tips For Your Guide: Our professional guides work hard to make your trip unforgettable. Gratuities are greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions about gear or packing, our Adventure Coordinators are happy to help, just give us a call!
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no rafting right in Breckenridge. However, The Adventure Company was born in Breckenridge in 1987 and offers the best rafting in the area. We offer rafting trips on the 3 rivers that surround Breckenridge – the Arkansas River, Colorado River, and Blue River.
The Arkansas River is by far the best due to the variety of trips for all ages and abilities, it’s long season with trips available all summer long, its warmer temperature typically 10-15 degrees warmer than Breck, the quality and quantity of whitewater, and its incredible scenery. For these reasons, we have chosen the perfect location in Buena Vista to support these trips. Our 6 acre riverside facility in Buena Vista includes our Outfitter Store, Check-in Office, Boathouse, Guest Lodge, and Coffee Shop.
The cost of whitewater rafting in the Breckenridge area varies based on the length of each trip, the included amenities, and the quality of its features. Options include:
- ½ day trips
- ¾ day trips (½ day plus our Ultimate Fajita Feast hot lunch served in our picnic area)
- Express trips that include rafting, our Ultimate Fajita Feast hot lunch, and round trip transportation from Breckenridge, Keystone, and Frisco in our Comfort Shuttles
- Full Day trips cover more miles and include a stop on the river to enjoy our Ultimate Fajita Feast hot lunch
- Multi Day raft trips include full days of rafting, incredible meals, and riverside camping
At The Adventure Company, we provide the best quality and amenities in our industry. Our value is second to none since our guests get top quality trips and competitive pricing to ensure the very best value.
For those looking for multi-day white water rafting adventures in Colorado, The Adventure Company offers unforgettable overnight trips on the Arkansas River. With over 35 years of experience offering these types of trips, we have perfected an efficient experience that ensures the best food, campsites, equipment, whitewater, and guides.
If you are rafting independently on certain stretches of the Colorado River, a permit may be needed. When booking with The Adventure Company, we handle all permitting, fees, and logistics so you can focus on enjoying your adventure.
Avoid cotton or denim, as they absorb water and make you cold. Instead, wear:
- Quick drying materials like nylon, polyester, polypropylene, or synthetic fleece.
- On cooler days, plan on wearing our sanitized wetsuit gear with a bathing suit underneath. You can also add a fleece layer under your splash jacket or knit hat under your helmet.
- Secure footwear like sandals with a heal strap, water shoes, tennis shoes, or our included sanitized neoprene shoes. No Crocs, Flip Flops, or bare feet. Expect your shoes to get wet.
- Free sanitized wetsuit gear (wetsuits, splash jackets, and neoprene shoes) are included in your trip.
Beginner level rafting certainly has less risk than more advanced trips. However, while we cannot eliminate the risks associated with whitewater rafting, we do a very good job of managing such risks. Our expert guides help to ensure a safe, fun experience. All guests wear Coast Guard approved life jackets and helmets.
Falling out of the raft happens infrequently, but can happen. Our guides train all guests in safety procedures before the trip, including:
- Floating on your back with feet downstream.
- Never standing up in the river.
- Holding onto the raft or swimming to safety.
- Assisting you back into the raft.
- Our experienced guides and well practiced safety protocols help ensure a safe and exhilarating raft trip.
Swimming ability is not required for beginner trips. It is preferred that our guests can swim on intermediate trips, but not required. Swimming ability is required for all advanced and expert trips.
At The Adventure Company, you are guaranteed to have an experienced professional raft guide. Similar to other service industry jobs like waiting tables, a tip should reflect your satisfaction with their service. A range of 10-20% is common.
Bringing phones and cameras while rafting is not recommended, as they can easily get wet or lost. We do sell waterproof cell phone cases with a neck lanyard in our store to help protect them, if you choose to bring them. However, we usually have a professional photography service at key rapids to capture your adventure. You can view and purchase your digital photos after your trip, if you choose. This is generally the best way to help preserve your lifelong memories!
