- Class: 3/4
- Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
- Minimum Age: 7
- Adult Cost: $54
- Child Cost: $49 (12 and under)
- Trip Times: 10:00AM, 2:00PM
- Meeting Time: 45 minutes prior to trip time
- Meeting Location: Buena Vista
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Browns Canyon Half Day
A classic, this ½-day trip is one of the best in the U.S. Granite canyon walls and fourteen-thousand-foot peaks are the backdrop for challenging rapids such as Pinball, Zoom Flume, Big Drop and others. Take a couple hours out of your day and explore one of the classic whitewater stretches in Colorado. -
Browns Canyon Full Day
This is the most popular full-day trip in Colorado, and for good reason. Excellent for first timers and experienced rafters alike, this pool-and-drop stretch of river is fun for just about everyone. Raft Browns Canyon and tackle classic rapids such as Zoom Flume, Widow Maker and Siedel’s Suck Hole. This collection of rapids makes Browns Canyon one of the best Class III-IV river runs in the U.S. For lunch we’ll stop in the canyon to enjoy a steak and chicken BBQ lunch.- Class: 3/4
- Difficulty: Beginner/Intermediate
- Minimum Age: 7
- Adult Cost: $86
- Child Cost: $76 (12 and under)
- Trip Time: 10:00AM
- Meeting Time: 45 minutes prior to trip time
- Meeting Location: Buena Vista
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Numbers Full Day
This extreme and continuous stretch of Class V water is for experienced and aggressive paddlers only. With almost 6 miles of continuous Class IV+ rapids, the Numbers is one of the toughest commercially run sections of whitewater in the United States. It’s not for everyone, but for those who take the challenge, it’s the trip of a lifetime! Rafters looking to run the Numbers must have previously rafted Class IV or V rapids, be in good physical condition and be able to swim.- Class: 3/5
- Difficulty: Expert
- Minimum Age: 16
- Cost: $108 per person
- Trip Time: 10:00AM
- Meeting Time: 45 minutes prior to trip time
- Meeting Location: Buena Vista
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Royal Gorge Full Day
Here the Arkansas River flows through the 1,100-foot-deep Royal Gorge, one of Colorado’s most popular natural wonders. While you are catching your breath between the incredible Class IV-V rapids, you can take in the stunning beauty of the gorge. At high flows (May-July) this trip is almost non-stop whitewater, and not for the faint of heart. The Royal Gorge is recommended highly for aggressive paddlers who are in good physical shape and know how to swim. This trip includes our famous BBQ lunch.- Class: 3/5
- Difficulty: Expert
- Minimum Age: 16
- Cost: $105 per person
- Trip Time: 10:00AM – Call 800-997-3448
- Meeting Time: 45 minutes prior to trip time
- Meeting Location: Royal Gorge
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Narrows & Browns Canyon 2 Day
Set out on your first day for an exciting river rafting trip through the continuous rapids of the Narrows. Set up camp alongside the Arkansas River and relax with the smells of a gourmet dinner under the stars. Don’t worry, we take care of all the cooking! Wake up to a hearty breakfast the next morning and get ready for an exciting full day in Brown’s Canyon. All meals are included. Camping gear rental can be arranged.- Class: 3/4
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Minimum Age: 12
- Cost: $325 per person
- Trip Time: 10:00AM – Call 800-997-3448
- Meeting Time: 45 minutes prior to trip time
- Meeting Location: Buena Vista
Arkansas River Rafting
Take an Arkansas River rafting trip this summer! Our basecamp is located in Buena Vista, Colorado, within easy driving distance of Salida, Vail, Aspen, Cañon City, Colorado Springs and Summit County. Rafting on the Arkansas River is the most popular whitewater experience in the nation — and for good reason!
Rafting on the Arkansas River is most popular on a half-day trip in Browns Canyon — ideal for those with limited time or beginners who are rafting for the first time. We also offer Arkansas River rafting tours in full-day and multi-day options. Overnight trips include riverside camping and are perfect for those interested in an extended river vacation.
The Arkansas River rafting season begins in mid-May and runs through late August. Peak water for maximum whitewater thrill and challenge is usually during June. The most family-friendly time of year for Arkansas River rafting is after the water starts to calm down, from July through August. Since most of the water is snowmelt, the water temperature is quite cold most of the summer.
Browns Canyon’s pool-drop rapids take you through famous runs such as Widowmaker and Zoom Flume before entering calm stretches. Fun and scenic, this Arkansas River rafting trip includes our famous BBQ lunch. A grilled steak and all the steaming hot sides will do wonders for your paddling power. At the other end of the spectrum is our Numbers trip, which offers an extreme and continuous stretch of Class 4-5 water and is for experienced and aggressive rafters only. This trip requires previous rafting experience, good physical conditioning and strong swimming skills. Call us at 1-800-997-3448 and let us help you plan a memorable Arkansas River rafting adventure today.
Transportation to Buena Vista is available from Summit County and Denver. Call for pricing and details 1-800-997-3448
Highside Adventure Tours, Inc. (DBA Good Times Rafting, Colorado Adventure Center) operates under special use permits with the White River National Forest, Colorado State Parks (Arkansas River Headwaters Area), Bureau of Land Management (BLM Kremmling office), Clear Creek County and is an equal opportunity service provider.
All Lower Colorado River (Shoshone Rapids) and Roaring Fork trips offered through Rock Gardens Rafting a fully licensed and permitted outfitter.
