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Arkansas River · Colorado

Arkansas River Rafting in Colorado

54 years on the Arkansas. Browns Canyon to Royal Gorge. Ten trips, two outposts, and a guide team that’s been running this water longer than any other outfitter on the river.

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  • ― Why Rafters Choose the Arkansas

The most commercially rafted river in the United States.

The Arkansas River drops nearly 5,000 feet in its first 125 miles. That gradient, fed by snowmelt off the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, makes it the most commercially rafted river in the country — more than 150 miles of raftable water, more than 80 named rapids, and four distinct canyon sections, each with its own water, terrain, and trip personality.

River Runners has been on this water since 1972. Same river. Same outpost in Buena Vista. Same focus on running professional trips for everyone from six-year-olds taking their first paddle stroke to repeat guests booking The Numbers for the tenth summer in a row.

This page covers the ten trips we run, today’s flow at the Nathrop gauge, the four canyon sections you can choose from, and the logistics for getting here from Denver or Colorado Springs.

Our Trips
Live River Flow
Map & Sections
When to Raft
Getting Here
Drop in the river's first 125 miles
0 ft
Of raftable whitewater
0 + mi
Named rapids across four canyons
0 +
Longest-running outfitter on the river
Since 0
  • ― Arkansas River Conditions

Live flow at Nathrop.

Every River Runners guide checks the Nathrop gauge before the first launch of the day. So can you.

  • Moderate Flow
1,450 cfs

The textbook Arkansas trip. Rapids are big enough to feel real but read clean — every commercial section is running.

The Arkansas at Nathrop is running at a moderate flow level today. Use the seven-day trend and the long-term median to see whether the river is running above, below, or right at typical for the date.

  • ― Where the Water Comes From

Snowpack in the Upper Arkansas headwaters.

The river you raft in July is the snow that fell in January. We track the basin’s snow water equivalent all winter — it’s the best forecast of the season ahead.

  • Above Median
105 % of median

A healthy snowpack is sitting in the high country. Expect a full, reliable season with strong flows well into summer.

Snow water equivalent (SWE) is how much water the snowpack would release if it melted all at once. A bigger peak — usually late April — means more runoff, bigger early-summer water, and a longer rafting season.

What CFS Means for Your Trip

CFS stands for cubic feet per second — the volume of water moving past the Nathrop gauge each second. The reading tells you how much water you’re paddling, which controls almost everything about the trip: wave size, rapid intensity, age minimums, and how much swimming happens. On the Arkansas, flows generally fall into three ranges.

Low

Under 650 cfs

A scenic, technical trip. Rapids look smaller, but the rocks are closer to the surface, so guides work harder on line selection. Better for families and first-timers.

Moderate

650 – 2,000 cfs

The textbook Arkansas trip — the sweet spot is roughly 1,200 to 1,800 cfs. Rapids are big enough to feel real but read clean. Every commercial section runs.

High

Over 2,000 cfs

Bigger waves, faster water, more swim risk. Age minimums tighten and the difficulty notches up. Experienced paddlers love it; we move some guests off advanced trips.

How to Read the Chart

Find the gauge

The chart pulls from USGS gauge 07091200, the Arkansas River near Nathrop.

Read the Y-axis

It shows discharge in cubic feet per second; the X-axis shows the last seven days.

Compare to the median

The dashed line is the long-term median for the date, so you can see whether today runs above, below, or right at typical.

Pick your trip

Match the reading to the three ranges above to choose the section that fits your group.

Why We Watch Nathrop

The Nathrop gauge sits directly upstream of Browns Canyon, the most rafted section in the country. Whatever water is at Nathrop is what you’ll be paddling within the next hour.

Big spikes after a warm June day usually mean accelerated snowmelt. Sudden drops in late summer often follow a closed irrigation gate upstream. For Royal Gorge trips, the downstream Wellsville gauge gives a slightly different read, and our Cañon City guides cross-reference both.

We pull the gauge every morning before the first launch and brief guides on what to expect that day.

Not sure whether today's flow suits your group? We read this chart every morning — give us a call.

Talk to a Guide
(719) 395-2466
  • ― From the River

Life on the Arkansas.

  • ― Our Arkansas River Rafting Trips

Ten trips. Two outposts.

Use the filters to narrow by location, difficulty, or duration. Filters stack — combine them to find the right fit.

LOCATION
DIFFICULTY
DURATION
10 TRIPS Clear all
Browns Canyon Whitewater Rafting Trip Most Popular BUENA VISTA

Browns Canyon Whitewater Rafting Trip

Age Info: 6+ (min weight 50lbs)* Location: Buena Vista, Colorado Intensity: Beginner/Intermediate Rapids: Class III (IV) Half Day Duration: 2-3…

CLASSIII (IV) FROM$109+ AGES6+ LENGTHHalf / Full
View Details Book Now
Royal Gorge Whitewater Rafting Trip Iconic CAñON CITY

Royal Gorge Whitewater Rafting Trip

Age Info: 14+ (strong swimmer) Location: Cañon City, Colorado (1 hour from Colorado Springs) Intensity: Advanced Rapids: Class IV (V)…

CLASSIV (V) FROM$121+ AGES14+ LENGTHFull Day
View Details Book Now
Bighorn Sheep Canyon Beginner Rafting Trip CAñON CITY

Bighorn Sheep Canyon Beginner Rafting Trip

Age Info : 6+ (min weight 50 LBS)* Location: Cañon City, Colorado (1 hr from Colorado Springs) Intensity: Beginner/Intermediate Rapids:…

CLASSIII (IV) FROM$109+ AGES6+ LENGTHHalf / Full
View Details Book Now
Numbers Whitewater Rafting Trip BUENA VISTA

Numbers Whitewater Rafting Trip

Age Info: 14+ (stront swimmer) Location: Buena Vista, Colorado Intencity: Advanced Rapids: Class IV (V) Half Day Duration: 2-3 hours…

CLASSIV (V) FROM$115+ AGES14+ LENGTHHalf / Full
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Family Float Beginner Rafting Trip BUENA VISTA

Family Float Beginner Rafting Trip

Splash, laugh, and create lasting memories on this gentle family-friendly river adventure! Trip Overview Duration: 1.5 hours Rapids: Beginner –…

CLASSII FROM$67 AGES3+ LENGTHHalf Day
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Happy Hour Intermediate Whitewater Rafting Trip BUENA VISTA

Happy Hour Intermediate Whitewater Rafting Trip

Cap off your day with thrilling rapids and riverside drinks on this one-of-a-kind rafting adventure! Trip Overview Duration: 1.5-2 hours…

CLASSIII (IV) FROM$94 AGES12+ LENGTHHalf or Less
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2-Day Browns Canyon Overnight Rafting Trip BUENA VISTA

2-Day Browns Canyon Overnight Rafting Trip

Experience the magic of Browns Canyon on an unforgettable two-day overnight rafting adventure beneath the stars! Trip Overview Duration: 2…

CLASSIII (IV) FROM$499/pp AGES12+ LENGTHMulti-Day
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2-Day Numbers Overnight Rafting Trip BUENA VISTA

2-Day Numbers Overnight Rafting Trip

Take your rafting experience to the next level with two days of intense rapids and riverside camping! Trip Overview Duration:…

CLASSAdv. IV (V) FROM$555/pp AGES14+ LENGTHMulti-Day
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Inflatable Kayaking in Lower Browns Canyon BUENA VISTA

Inflatable Kayaking in Lower Browns Canyon

Paddle your own inflatable kayak through Class III rapids and one of Colorado’s most scenic canyons, with guide support the…

CLASSIII FROM$121 AGES14+ LENGTHHalf Day
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Arkansas River Paddle Tubing BUENA VISTA

Arkansas River Paddle Tubing

An hour on the Arkansas with the family. Easy Class I water, mountain views, and lunch at The Beach when…

CLASSII FROM$55/pp AGES12+ LENGTH1 Hour
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  • ― Compare Every Trip

All ten trips, side by side.

Sort by class, age, price, or length to find the right fit. Tap any column header to reorder.

TRIP ⇅ SECTION ⇅ CLASS ⇅ LENGTH ⇅ AGES ⇅ PRICE ⇅ BEST FOR ⇅
Browns Canyon Browns Canyon III (IV) Half / Full 6+ From $109+ First whitewater trip
Royal Gorge Royal Gorge IV (V) Full Day 14+ From $121+ Hardest commercial trip
Bighorn Sheep Canyon Bighorn Sheep III (IV) Half / Full 6+ From $109+ Cañon City families
The Numbers The Numbers IV (V) Half / Full 14+ From $115+ Experienced paddlers
Family Float Family section II Half Day 3+ $67 Toddlers, first-timers
Happy Hour Browns (short) III (IV) ≈ 2 hours 12+ $94 Groups, post-work
Browns Overnight Browns Canyon III (IV) 2 days 12+ $499/pp Family multi-day
Numbers Overnight Numbers + Browns Adv. IV (V) 2 days 14+ $555/pp Advanced multi-day
Inflatable Kayak Lower Browns III Half Day 14+ $121 Solo paddlers
Paddle Tubing Family section II Half Day 12+ $55/pp Add-on, kids 12+
  • ― The Arkansas River: Map & Sections

Four sections. One river.

The Arkansas runs more than 150 miles of raftable water from its headwaters near Leadville to the canyon take-outs below Cañon City. Four sections matter for guided rafting — each carries different water, different terrain, and a different kind of trip.

HWY 285 HWY 50 THE NUMBERS · IV–V BROWNS CANYON · III BIGHORN SHEEP · III ROYAL GORGE · IV–V Leadville Granite Buena Vista Nathrop Salida Cotopaxi Cañon City USGS GAUGE 1 2
  • Buena Vista Outpost
  • Cañon City Outpost

The Numbers

Class IV–V · Buena Vista

The most technical commercial water on the river. Seven numbered rapids in a four-mile gradient north of Buena Vista, with names like Number Five and the Miracle Mile. Continuous whitewater, almost no calm between drops. We launch from the upper put-in near Granite. Best in moderate flows; runs through July most years.

Number Five
Miracle Mile

Browns Canyon

Class III (IV) · Buena Vista

Thirteen miles of water through Browns Canyon National Monument, designated by President Obama in 2015. Granite walls, ponderosa pine, and the occasional bighorn sheep on the cliffs. This is the trip first-time rafters book — and the trip experienced guests still come back for.

Pinball
Zoom Flume
Big Drop
Seidel's Suckhole
Widowmaker

Bighorn Sheep Canyon

Class III (IV) · Cañon City

Water below Salida running through high-desert canyon walls with frequent bighorn sheep sightings. Slightly drier feel than Browns, with longer pools between rapids. Launched from our Cañon City outpost.

The Flume
Tin Cup
Devil's Hole

Royal Gorge

Class IV–V · Cañon City

The signature trip. Rapids running through a 1,000-foot canyon below the Royal Gorge Bridge, coming in tight succession with no room to recover between. Strong swimmers, age 14 minimum, full-day only. The trip experienced rafters fly in for.

Sledgehammer
Wall Slammer
Sunshine
Boat Eater
  • ― When to Raft the Arkansas

The season runs late April through early September.

What you should expect depends on the month.

Month
Typical Flow (cfs)
What to Expect
Sections Running
May
200 – 1,200

Cooler water, smaller waves, scenic trips. Wetsuits provided.​

Family Float, Browns, Bighorn

June
1,000 – 3,500

Peak runoff hits mid-to-late month. Biggest waves of the season. Age minimums tighten.

All sections

July
800 – 1,800

The textbook Arkansas trip. Hot afternoons. Book early — this is peak demand.

All sections

August
400 – 900

Lower water, technical lines, longer trips. Great for families and photography.

All but Numbers (some weeks)

Early Sept
300 – 700

Quiet, scenic, cool mornings, golden cottonwoods.

Browns, Bighorn, Family Float

Swipe to see all

MonthTypical FlowWhat to ExpectSections Running
May200 – 1,200Cooler water, smaller waves, scenic trips. Wetsuits provided.Family, Browns, Bighorn
June1,000 – 3,500Peak runoff hits mid-to-late month. Biggest waves of the season. Age minimums tighten.All sections
July800 – 1,800The textbook Arkansas trip. Hot afternoons. Book early — peak demand.All sections
August400 – 900Lower water, technical lines, longer trips. Great for families and photography.All but Numbers (some weeks)
Early Sept300 – 700Quiet, scenic, cool mornings, golden cottonwoods.Browns, Bighorn, Family

The week of the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival in late June is the noisiest week of the year on the river. The week after Labor Day is the quietest. Both have their case.

  • ― Getting to Our Outposts

Two outposts, one operation.

One on Highway 285 in Buena Vista, one on Highway 50 in Cañon City. Same guide standards on both sides.

Highway 285 · Buena Vista

Buena Vista Outpost

Browns Canyon, The Numbers, Family Float, Happy Hour, overnights, kayaking & tubing.

Colorado Springs

1h 45m

Denver

2h 15m

Vail

1h 30m

Breckenridge

1h 15m

Salida

30m
Get Directions
Outpost Page
Highway 50 · Cañon City

Cañon City Outpost

Royal Gorge and Bighorn Sheep Canyon, beneath the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Colorado Springs

50m

Pueblo

45m

Denver

2h 30m

Salida

1h
Get Directions
Outpost Page
  • ― Why River Runners

More than 50 years on this water.

Since 1972

Longer than any other commercial outfitter on the Arkansas. We were the first company to run paddle boats through the Royal Gorge.

Travelers' Choice 2025

Top 10% of attractions on TripAdvisor based on guest reviews — earned, not bought.

Certified Guides

Every guide holds Swiftwater Rescue, CPR, and First Aid certifications at minimum. Most have run this water for 5+ seasons.

Two Outposts, One Operation

Buena Vista for Browns Canyon and The Numbers. Cañon City for Royal Gorge and Bighorn Sheep. Same standards on both sides.

AROA
America Outdoors
CROA
Leave No Trace
  • ― Frequently Asked Questions

Everything before you launch.

What's the best Arkansas River rafting trip for first-timers?

Browns Canyon on the Buena Vista side and Bighorn Sheep Canyon on the Cañon City side. Both run Class III (IV) water with age minimums of 6, which means real rapids that a beginner can handle with guide coaching. If you have kids under 6 or want something gentler, the Family Float on Class II water is the right call.

Ages 3 and up for the Family Float. Ages 6 and up for Browns Canyon and Bighorn Sheep Canyon at typical flows. Ages 12 and up for the Happy Hour and Browns Canyon Overnight. Ages 14 and up for The Numbers, Royal Gorge, and the inflatable kayak. At high water (over 2,000 cfs at Nathrop) we sometimes raise minimums on advanced trips.

Late June for the biggest water, mid-July for the textbook trip, August for the family-friendly conditions. The commercial season runs late April through early September. June books out first.

Browns Canyon is Class III (IV) with an age minimum of 6 and runs from our Buena Vista outpost. Royal Gorge is Class IV–V with an age minimum of 14, paddling under 1,000-foot canyon walls and the iconic bridge from our Cañon City outpost. Browns Canyon is the trip most families do. Royal Gorge is the trip experienced rafters book.

Check the live USGS gauge at Nathrop on this page, or call us. We make the call every morning based on flow, weather, and trip type. The Arkansas commercial rafting season is one of the most regulated in the country, and the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area sets flow caps that we run inside.

Quick-drying synthetic layers. Skip cotton, which stays wet and cold. Shoes that stay on your feet — no flip-flops or open-back sandals. Sunglasses with a strap. Sunscreen. Cash or card for The Beach after the trip. We provide PFDs, helmets, paddles, and wetsuits in May and early June.

Yes, on request. Standard on May and early June trips when the water is colder. Optional on summer trips. Splash jackets available for high-water days.

Trips run rain or shine. We cancel only for lightning danger or unsafe water levels, and in those cases we reschedule or refund. Colorado afternoon storms are usually short. You’ll already be wet.

Our Buena Vista outpost is 2 hours 15 minutes from Denver and 1 hour 45 minutes from Colorado Springs via Highway 285. Our Cañon City outpost is 2 hours 30 minutes from Denver and 50 minutes from Colorado Springs via Highway 50.

Every guide carries CPR, First Aid, and Swiftwater Rescue certifications. Most hold a Colorado Level 3 guide rating, the highest the state recognizes. Senior guides run this water 100+ days a season.

Yes. We run private trips and groups from 8 to 100+. Bachelor and bachelorette parties, family reunions, scout troops, corporate retreats, and church groups all welcome. Call (719) 395-2466 to plan it.

  • ― What Guests Say

Stories that start at the put-in.

Best day of the whole trip

Our guide read the river like a book and made my nervous 8-year-old feel like a pro by the second rapid. Browns Canyon was unreal.

Megan R. · TripAdvisor
Royal Gorge delivered

Came in for the big water and it more than lived up to it. Sledgehammer back-to-back with Wall Slammer is a story I’ll tell for years.

David K. · Google
Family float, zero stress

Three generations in one raft, including my dad at 71 and my daughter at 4. Calm where it needed to be, fun the whole way. Lunch at The Beach after was perfect.

Priya S. · TripAdvisor
Google 4.9 · 1,240 reviews
TripAdvisor 5.0 · 980 reviews
Facebook 5.0 · 410 reviews

Book Your Trip on the Arkansas

Ten trips on the most rafted river in the country. Pick your section, check the flow, and we’ll see you at the outpost.

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Call (719) 395-2466

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