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Exciting Class III rapids perfect for adventure enthusiasts.
Offering the perfect blend of thrilling whitewater and family-friendly adventures through iconic Browns Canyon. Ideal for rafters looking for excitement, spectacular scenery, and riverside relaxation.
Home to Colorado’s most exhilarating rapids beneath towering canyon walls, delivering bucket-list whitewater experiences. A must-visit for thrill-seekers craving legendary adventure.
Exciting Class III rapids perfect for adventure enthusiasts.
Offering the perfect blend of thrilling whitewater and family-friendly adventures through iconic Browns Canyon. Ideal for rafters looking for excitement, spectacular scenery, and riverside relaxation.
Home to Colorado’s most exhilarating rapids beneath towering canyon walls, delivering bucket-list whitewater experiences. A must-visit for thrill-seekers craving legendary adventure.
2 Hours On The River
Class III
12+
River Runners Browns Canyon
Buena Vista, Colorado
$94 Per Person
2 Hours On The River
Class III
12+
River Runners Browns Canyon
Buena Vista, Colorado
$94 Per Person
Lower Browns Canyon is one of Colorado’s most scenic stretches of river, and a 2-hour inflatable kayak trip is the right way to take it in. You’ll paddle past dramatic canyon walls with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch mountain ranges, working through lively Class III rapids in between. Beginners can handle this trip. Your guides are alongside the whole way to coach paddling, lines, and safety.
The float isn’t all whitewater. Between rapids, the river opens up and there’s time to stop, swim, and jump from rocks before drifting back into the current. By the time you finish near Salida, you’ve packed canyon scenery, real Class III paddling, and easy river time into a single afternoon.
Essential Items:
For the Weather:
Do Not Bring:
What We Provide:
Pro Tips:
Rafting Season:
On the Arkansas River, prime rafting season generally runs from mid-May through Labor Day (early September). In early season, snowmelt causes rivers to rise. You’ll encounter high water with fast and exhilarating rapids, especially from late May to mid-June. From late June through July, flows settle to ideal rafting levels with plenty of action and the most popular trips running, plus full summer weather. From August into early September and Labor Day, water levels decline slowly, resulting in scenic floats with smaller rapids.
Trips Run Rain or Shine:
At River Runners, we raft in all weather. Rafting is naturally a wet activity, and a little rain won’t stop the adventure. Trips depart as scheduled, rain or shine, unless conditions are deemed unsafe by our experienced guides. Rainy days often mean fewer crowds and more thrilling rapids. Dress for the weather and prepare to get wet. You’re in for an unforgettable experience regardless of the forecast.
Alternate Routes:
Your safety and enjoyment are our top priorities. Occasionally, we may need to adjust trip plans due to changing river conditions like low or high water. If this happens, we’ll make every effort to keep you informed, but please note that changes may occur without prior notice.
Safety First:
At River Runners, your safety is our top priority. Every rafting trip is guided by experienced professionals trained in river safety, CPR, and first aid. We provide thorough safety briefings, quality equipment including Coast Guard-approved Type V personal flotation devices (PFDs), and ongoing supervision to ensure your experience is not only exciting but secure. We’re committed to creating an enjoyable, memorable rafting adventure while keeping everyone safe.
Waivers:
Before hitting the river, all guests age 18 and older are required to sign our liability waiver. This standard procedure helps ensure everyone is informed about the nature of rafting activities and any associated risks. Guests under 18 must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
Receive a full refund if you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours ahead of your scheduled float. If cancellations occur within 48 hours, you’ll receive a rain check minus a $10 per-person fee.
Watch what a day of Class III paddling, mountain views, and clear-water swim stops actually looks like.
EXCELLENT Based on 951 reviews Posted on Google Jc ConnellTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a great time and our guide Shawn was awesome!Posted on Google Cecilia GreenTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an absolute ahhhmazing experience today. We had Noah as our tour guide and could not have asked for a better time. Thank You! Everything was well explained and the conversations were so helpful and informative as we rafted. Would recommend coming here for any age and stage in life. There were little people on other rafts in our group that did wonderful too.Posted on Google Jakob EkelöwTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great guide! Great river! everyone should do it! Thanks Jayson!Posted on Google Neil LaceyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Enjoyed a great whitewater rafting trip with River Runners near Buena Vista. The River guide Shaun was excellent- he made the trip fun. He was a great coach in guiding us down River. Had a great experience with Courtney in making my trip reservation. They also recently opened a restaurant on the property and serve awesome fish tacos. Check out River Runners for an exciting and fun day on the water!Posted on Google River RunnersTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. AWESOME TIME! Eryn is the best guide ever. She is the best guide I have ever seen, wow!Posted on Google Shawn McMillanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Such an awesome trip!! Our guide, "Dodge", was very nice, instructive, professional, kind, and honestly just fun to be with. I highly recommend for anyone!Posted on Google Chris TTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I very rarely leave reviews, but we had an awesome run with Tay! She was easily the best guide I've ever rafted with, including my past runs on other rivers in Colorado, Tennessee, South Carolina & Georgia. Literally everyone in the boat had a blast, kids and adults included! We will definitely ask for her again.Posted on Google KelseyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have been coming to River Runners yearly for almost a decade. It’s one of the highlights of our summer! The guides are ALL fantastic (Ask for William, also known as Mr Pancake), knowledgeable, safe, and entertaining. It's a GREAT activity for families and adults, the scenery is stunning.
Yes. The route includes Class III rapids, but beginners can handle it. Your guides are with you the whole way to coach paddling and lines. The minimum age is 12.
An inflatable kayak and all necessary equipment, the shuttle to the Hecla Junction launch and from Stone Bridge back to River Runners, and full guide support and safety instruction throughout the trip.
You’ll spend 2 hours on the river. Plan additional time for check-in, gear fitting, and the shuttles to and from the launch.
Class III on the Arkansas River through Lower Browns Canyon, with calmer sections in between for swimming and rock jumping.
Dramatic canyon walls, with views opening up to the Sangre de Cristo and Sawatch mountain ranges.
You’ll meet at River Runners Browns Canyon, shuttle to the launch at Hecla Junction, paddle through the canyon, and finish near Salida before shuttling back from Stone Bridge.