Buena Vista & Salida Whitewater Rafting

Our riverside headquarters in Buena Vista sits in Colorado’s whitewater mecca on the legendary Arkansas River. With unmatched scenery, consistent flows, and runs from mild to wild, Buena Vista rafting is truly world-class.

Find Your Perfect Buena Vista Rafting Challenge

One of the unique attributes of a Buena Vista whitewater rafting trip is the variety of trip options to meet everyone’s desired level of challenge. Whether its beginner, intermediate, advanced, or expert whitewater that floats your boat, The Adventure Company has the perfect trip for you. All 4 difficulty levels are available within minutes of our Buena Vista riverside facility. Each of these legendary sections of river offers raft trips of varying length, to perfectly fit your time budget. You can choose half day trips that are around 2 hours on the water or full day options that include our Ultimate Fajita Feast hot lunch and spend around 4.5 hours on the river.

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Hot Lunch & Easy Pickup for a Seamless Day

We also allow you to add our famous lunch served in our picnic area, to your half day trip, which is the ¾ day option. Known as Express Trips, for your convenience, you can also add round trip transportation to our Buena Vista facility from 14 convenient locations in Summit County and Breckenridge, in our Comfort Shuttles.

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Overnight Rafting: Multi-Day, Self-Supported, Unforgettable

For a unique and unforgettable adventure, consider one of our exceptional overnight rafting trips. Done the right way, our wilderness style multi-day trips include full days of rafting, tons of whitewater, fresh from scratch cooking, and enough equipment to ensure everyone’s comfort. Our 2-4 day self-supported trips allow us to camp privately, at the most beautiful campsites instead of using vehicles to transport guests and gear around during your adventure, which limits you to roadside camping. Our trips deliver a sense of accomplishment since we include the best sections of whitewater and run consecutively downstream. For your next special celebration, grab your friends and family and share an overnight trip for lifelong memories.

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Make It a Day: Rafting, Salida biking, Galleries & Mountain skiing

Buena Vista’s neighboring town of Salida is very popular year around. This river town is slightly bigger than Buena Vista and has an appeal all its own. As a year around destination, mountain biking and whitewater rafting are favorites in the summer, and in the winter skiing at Monarch Mountain just west of Salida is very popular. Salida’s downtown is well known for its great shops, restaurants, and art galleries. With these diverse offerings, a visit while enjoying Buena Vista rafting in the area is recommended. Here is more info about our unique top-quality features and emphasis on safety.

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Browns Canyon Rafting

Intermediate

Minimum Age: 6

Starting at

$90.30/Person

Our most popular trip! Browns Canyon offers a fun mix of Class III–IV rapids and stunning granite canyon scenery. This intermediate adventure is perfect for first-timers with a sense of adventure and families with kids 6 and older. Trip Options: Half-Day, ¾ Day, Full-Day, Express, Overnight

The Numbers Rafting

Advanced

Minimum Age: 14+

Starting at

$97.30/Person

Looking for high-adrenaline whitewater? The Numbers is the quintessential advanced, Class IV whitewater rafting excursion, that has more whitewater than most trips. Expect continuous, advanced rapids, steep drops, and fast-paced action. The majority of your time on the river will be spent navigating whitewater, with the help of your expert Guide. This exciting choice is best suited for adventurous paddlers and experienced rafters. Trip Options: Half-Day, ¾ Day, Full-Day, Express, Overnight

Milk Run Rafting

Beginner

Minimum Age: 2+

Starting at

$83.30/Person

Perfect for young kids or those new to rafting who want a mild trip, the Milk Run features gentle Class II rapids and a relaxed float through Colorado’s majestic Rocky Mountain scenery. With an hour on the river, this trip is not a boring float. Expect a cruisy trip with lots of soul-soothing current and impressive views, covering around 5 miles. The Milk Run is a great introduction to whitewater fun. Trip Options: Half-Day

Pine Creek Rafting

Expert

Minimum Age: 16

$239/Person

This incredible whitewater rafting adventure includes the most difficult section of the Arkansas R. Pine creek rafting is reserved for the few who want to take on the challenge of expert-level rafting. While very few outfitters offer this trip, we have the expert level Guides, appropriate equipment, safety boats, and long history giving us the needed experience to successfully run this trip. With a minimum age of 16, participants must be strong swimmers, physically fit, have no major medical problems, and have previous rafting experience.

Plan Your Buena Vista Rafting

Unforgettable Rafting in Buena Vista

Best Time for Buena Vista White Water Rafting

Your Buena Vista Rafting Experts

Buena Vista is home to some of the best white water rafting in the world. With direct access to the Arkansas River, you’ll experience everything from calm scenic floats to exciting Class IV rapids—just minutes from town.

The prime season for rafting Buena Vista is May through August, when warm weather and steady river flows create perfect conditions. It’s the ideal time to enjoy a connection to nature, splashy rapids, and unbeatable mountain views.

Our convenient riverside headquarters, experienced and skilled guides, and high-quality gear make us the top choice for white water rafting in Buena Vista. Whether you’re a first-timer or experienced paddler, we’ll make sure your trip is safe, smooth, and seriously fun.

Other Activities near Buena Vista and Salida

Whether you’re exploring on foot, by bike, or on the river, Buena Vista and Salida are packed with outdoor adventure. In addition to ½ and full day whitewater rafting trips, we offer inflatable kayak trips, guided fishing, full moon floats, and multi-day rafting expeditions. You’ll also find incredible hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, 4 x 4 rentals, horseback riding, and natural hot springs, just minutes from our base.

Inflatable Kayak Trips

Starting at

$139/Person

Paddle your own craft down a fun and scenic section of the Arkansas River near Buena Vista on a guided inflatable kayak adventure. These active and invigorating trips include instruction, safety gear, and professional guides. Great for those looking to be more hands-on in the rapids.
Includes: Gear, guide, safety briefing, wetsuit package

Full Moon Raft Trips

Starting at

$165/Person

Raft under the stars on a unique nighttime adventure through Browns Canyon, illuminated by the full moon. This guided trip includes a delicious riverside dinner and offers a thrilling and magical experience in Browns Canyon.
Includes: Dinner, gear, professional guide, wetsuit package

Guided Fishing Expeditions

Starting at

$450/Person

Enjoy a private, guided fly or spin fishing trip floating down the Arkansas River with expert instruction. These ½ day float fishing adventures are ideal for those who want the advantage of a new habitat with each cast. Since your Guide is controlling your raft, experienced fishermen are preferred. Enjoy the thrill of catching trout on a beautiful Rocky Mountain river with expert advice and optional gear provided. Includes: Professional guide, fly fishing gear, lunch, and drinks

Lodging in Buena Vista & Salida

Buena Vista and Salida offer many accommodations including primitive campsites, private campgrounds, cabins, small lodges, luxury hotels, and rental homes. You can rely on our own A Riverhouse Lodge for comfort and convenience, or see below for other recommended options in Buena Vista and Salida.

Buena Vista

A Riverhouse Lodge (Located on-site)
MoonStream Vintage Campers

Salida

Coffee & Dining

In need of a bite to eat before or after your whitewater rafting trip? Station 24 cafe is our very popular, full service, onsite coffee shop. Enjoy delicious coffee and tea drinks, and fresh food that includes breakfast burritos, salads, sandwiches, home-made pastry items, grab-and-go snacks, decadent chocolate, premium ice cream, a selection of beer and wine, and more! There are many other restaurant options in Buena Vista and Salida.

Station 24 Cafe

Visit Our Buena Vista Rafting Headquarters

Ready for your next adventure? Our 6 acre riverside facility is conveniently located to minimize your drive to reach us, and also perfectly situated to minimize driving to and from our rafting trips. Right along the Arkansas River and just 2 miles south of downtown Buena Vista, you’ll love the location and amenities offered. Surrounded by the towering Collegiate Peaks and open valley views, our outpost (12847 US Hwy 24/285, Buena Vista, CO 81211) is a scenic and convenient starting point for your next Buena Vista adventure.

We’re about 1 hour from Breckenridge and 2 hours from Denver and Colorado Springs, making it an easy drive for a weekend escape or a day trip. Onsite, you’ll find ample parking, clean restrooms, private changing rooms, an organized boathouse, our check-in office and Outfitter Store, Station 24 Café, and A Riverhouse Lodge. Our facility allows you to conveniently grab a latte and breakfast burrito before your adventure and a hot shower and beer or wine afterward, for a perfect day.