Arkansas River Whitewater Rafting

The Arkansas River has more than 100 miles of prime whitewater rafting among the 14,000 peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. At its headwaters the Arkansas River runs as a steep mountain torrent through the Rockies in its narrow Arkansas River Valley. The Arkansas River drops 4600 feet in 120 miles. With River Runners you may whitewater raft the following sections on the Arkansas River: Pine Creek, The Numbers, Brown's Canyon, and the Royal Gorge in the spring and summer.

The Arkansas River's popularity derives in part from its proximity to Denver, Colorado Springs and the Colorado ski areas, but mostly because this is a great river, with something to offer everyone.

Since 1972 River Runners has been a licensed outfitter certified by the State of Colorado. River Runners exceeds state licensing and our training requirements are double that required by the state. We adhere to a strict code of ethics. Meet our Guides, some of our guides have been working for us for over 30 years.

River Runners offers a unique experience on the Arkansas River not only due to our experience but our properties make it easy and convenient to raft the Arkansas River. You may raft from our Riverside Resort in Buena Vista, Colorado or our Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City, Colorado. Fully guided beginner and advanced rafting trips are offered daily May - September on the Arkansas River within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation area, a Colorado State Park.

The Arkansas River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River. The Arkansas generally flows to the east and southeast, and traverses the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.

At 1,469 miles it is the sixth longest river in the United States, the second-longest tributary in the Mississippi-Missouri system, and the 45th longest river in the world . Its origin is in the Colorado Rockies in Lake County near Leadville, and its outlet is at the historic site of Napoleon, Arkansas.