Raft Colorado: The Arkansas River Drainage
This area has some of the best Colorado rafting, with the most whitewater, and the most rafters, of any place in in the state. In the upper sections, you’ll find the Granite and Pine Creek areas offering scenic Class III+ floats that end with a bang: some fast Class V white water action.
Further downstream you’ll find the most popular rafting area in Colorado, Brown’s Canyon. Here you’ll find excellent Class III whitewater. Below Brown’s, you’ll find another stretch that ranges between Class III-IV and runs through a beautiful canyon.
American Adventure Expeditions guides on the Arkansas River in Colorado.
Here’s some guides to help you make it through the trip.
American Adventure Expeditions: Raft guide on the Arkansas River for over 23 years, does adventerous whitewater trips as well as relaxing scenic floats. Group rates available, and a riverside beer garden to relax in after your rafting trip.
- 12844 E. Hwy 24/285
- Buena Vista, CO 81211
- Region: South Central
- Phone: 719-395-2409
- Toll Free: 866-939-7238
- Fax: 719-395-2848
Four Corners Rafting: One of the oldest and most respected Colorado whitewater rafting companies on the Arkansas River, operating since 1976. Offers moderate Colorado whitewater rafting for beginners and families and big whitewater rafting for more advanced and adventurous rafters.
- Four Corners Rafting
- 22565 U.S. Hwy. 285 S.
- Nathrop, CO 81236
- Region: South Central
- Phone: 800-332-7238
- Toll Free: 800-332-7238
- Fax: 719-275-2141
Raven Adventure Trips: Does adventure and family whitewater raft trips in Colorado on the Arkansas River. Located in Cañon City. Offering rafting trips on Brown’s Canyon, Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Royal Gorge. Close to Denver and Colorado Springs. Half-day trips, full-day trips and overnight floats. 40 years exp. Free wetsuit use on all trips.
- Raven Adventure Trips
- 19 Fremont Cty Rd 3A
- (Intersection of US 50 and Cty 3A)
- Cañon City, CO 81212
- Region: South Central
- Phone: 719-275-2890
- Toll Free: 800-332-3381
- Fax: 719-269-7387
Lost Paddle Rafting: Rafting trips ranging from class III to class V on Colorado’s Arkansas River. With half-day, full-day or multi-day overnight rafting trips offered.
- 420 Royal Gorge Blvd.
- Cañon City, CO 81212
- Region: South Central
- Phone: 719-275-0884
- Toll Free: 866-766-7238
Buffalo Joe’s Whitewater Rafting: Established 1978. Exciting raft trips on America’s favorite river, the Arkansas. Steak lunch. Offices in Buena Vista (Brown’s Canyon, Numbers, Narrows) and Cañon City (Royal Gorge, Bighorn Sheep Canyon).
- 113 N. Railroad St.
- Buena Vista, CO 81211
- Region: South Central
- Phone: 866-283-3563
- Toll Free: 800-356-7984
- Fax: 719-395-8757
[...] the best places in the world for Rockies rafting vacations. People come from all over the world to raft the Arkansas river, the Dolores river, the Colorado and more. Rafting here ranges from easy float trips that the whole [...]
[...] Arkansas River The Arkansas River Valley attracts more paddlers than any other in the state. This river is famous for its Class V expert rapids and has most stretches in Colorado to enjoy- over 60 miles! Professional rafters and kayakers flock here to experience the fastest rapids, while families love the calm Class I runs in other parts of the river. The Granite and Pine Creek sections have Class III to V whitewater, and Numbers is a class IV stretch that shouldn’t be missed. For those looking for a milder trip, head to Frog Rock, a nice float that heads into Buena Vista’s town run and kayak park. These are all recommended, but Brown’s Canyon is the most popular stretch of river in Colorado. Keep going and you’ll get to the Royal Gorge, a 1,000-foot high canyon with Class III-IV rapids. [...]