Top Buena Vista Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises

Traverse the thrilling rapids of Brown’s Canyon National Monument on a half-day whitewater rafting tour. With one morning and two afternoon tours offered, you can easily find a departure time to fit with your schedule. In addition to an included helmet and life vest, you also enjoy instruction from your guide before the adventure begins.  Once everyone is ready, paddle down Devil’s Punchbowl, Pinball, Big Drop, and more.

Explore Buena Vista with ease and comfort on this private e-bike tour. The city’s high altitude can be difficult for those who are not accustomed to it; e-bikes make your experience easier so you can focus on your surroundings rather than pedaling.

Unique E-Bike Experience: Effortlessly explore 20 miles of Colorado’s Sawatch Range with electric bikes, blending adventure and ease. Scenic Chalk Creek Canyon: Ride through stunning landscapes with aspen groves, hot springs, and towering peaks. Historic St. Elmo Ghost Town: Step into a well-preserved 1880s mining town, rich with history and charm. Wildlife Interaction: Feed friendly chipmunks in St. Elmo for a delightful, hands-on nature moment. Breathtaking Mountain Views: Enjoy panoramic vistas of the Collegiate Peaks, perfect for photos. Accessible Adventure: E-bikes make the tour inclusive for various fitness levels, no expert cycling needed. Hiking Opportunities: Add short trail hikes near St. Elmo for deeper exploration of the area’s beauty. Time Travel Vibe: Immerse in the Old West, connecting with Colorado’s mining heritage in a fun, engaging way.

The full day Numbers trip delivers the ultimate high adrenaline rafting experience, combining the nonstop Class IV intensity of The Numbers with additional river time, scenery, and a riverside lunch. Guided by highly experienced trip leaders with advanced safety training, you’ll tackle one of Colorado’s most technical stretches of whitewater with confidence. Backed by over 30 years of family owned outfitting experience, professional safety standards, and premium equipment, this is an immersive, all day challenge for serious adventure seekers.

Colorado's most popular whitewater rafting trip trough Brown's Canyon National Monument. Enjoy spectacular scenery and thrilling whitewater on this professionally guided river trip.

Historic Midland Tunnels: Ride through four iconic railroad tunnels, steeped in Buena Vista’s mining history. Scenic Arkansas River: Enjoy stunning river views alongside the dramatic Collegiate Peaks. E-Bike Ease: Effortlessly cover 10 miles on electric bikes, perfect for all fitness levels. Beginner-Friendly: Paved and dirt paths ensure a smooth, accessible ride for everyone. Epic Scenery: Capture breathtaking vistas of mountains and riverfront landscapes. Spot Climbers: Watch rock climbers scale nearby cliffs, adding excitement to the journey. Eco-Friendly Adventure: Explore sustainably with zero-emission e-bikes, preserving nature’s beauty. Curated Experience: Epic Happy Adventures crafts a fun, engaging tour blending history and outdoor thrills.

Explore Browns Canyon National Monument on a white-water rafting adventure. Spend a few hours shooting the Class III rapids, perfect for beginner or intermediate paddlers, in the company of a guide—perfect for families who want to raft together. Keep a lookout for local wildlife such as big horn sheep and blue heron as you paddle, learning about the area through your guide's commentary.

Paddle 'The Numbers,' a challenging section of the Arkansas River, on a thrilling white-water rafting trip from Buena Vista. You'll shoot through a series of rapids, drops, and tight channels, with continuous white water that makes for a high-adrenaline experience from beginning to end. After a morning on the water, this Arkansas River rafting trip includes a barbecue lunch, a great way to refuel and relax after a classic Colorado adventure.

Explore Browns Canyon National Monument in a thrilling way during this whitewater rafting excursion. A professional guide will lead you through the Arkansas River, as you drift through calm waters and tackle Class III-IV rapids. All skill levels will find that this activity is both fun and manageable no matter your experience with whitewater rafting. Keep your eyes off the water as well; wildlife, dazzling granite rock formations, and mountainous peaks might make an appearance.

Beyond Salida's charming streets and historic buildings lies a darker story. Hidden beneath the town's postcard image are unsolved murders, frontier justice, mob intrigue, Russian espionage, prostitution, and crimes that still raise questions today. This PG-13 walking tour is based entirely on original historical research and explores the true stories behind Salida's most notorious crimes. Visit the locations where murders occurred, stand where an accused killer was lynched, uncover the mystery of a modern unsolved homicide, discover the town's hidden red-light district, learn how a Russian spy hid in plain sight, and hear the story behind a building believed to have been targeted by the mob. No legends. No embellishment. Just the fascinating—and often disturbing—history of a town with far more secrets than most visitors ever imagine.

Travel through Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River on this whitewater rafting tour that departs from a location near Buena Vista, about 1 hour and 15 minutes south of Breckenridge. Both first-time and experienced rafters are welcome on this classic river-rafting excursion, where you'll navigate rapids with a guide.

Buena Vista—or BV, as the locals say—sits right in the Collegiate Peaks, Colorado’s highest concentration of 14ers. The Arkansas River flows through it all, and on this tour, you’ll get to take in the views from the water, no experience required. Let your guide paddle your raft over bouncy wave trains and calmer sections of this wild river as you and your crew float through the beauty of central Colorado.

Embark on a scenic journey to the world-famous ski destination of Breckenridge, traveling via the 11,542’ Hoosier Pass, and then through the historic town of Leadville, the highest incorporated city in North America. This route captivates with a unique blend of historical richness and stunning alpine scenery. Ascend through rugged mountain landscapes to Breckenridge, where quaint streets and ski slopes await, then explore Leadville’s rich mining heritage. This tour is ideal for those looking to combine cultural insights with breathtaking nature and leisure in one of Colorado’s premier vacation spots.

Spend a full day rafting through Browns Canyon National Monument, covering more river, more rapids, and more scenery than shorter trips. This trip includes a riverside lunch, expert professional guides, and premium equipment for a comfortable, worry-free adventure. With extended time on the water, you’ll experience the perfect mix of exciting Class II–III rapids, relaxation, and stunning mountain views—an immersive Colorado rafting experience.

Get to know Salida’s past and present, and walk through its streets with the eyes of a local. This walking tour takes you down the banks of the Arkansas River with a professional guide. Hear fascinating tales of Salida's exciting, and sometimes violent, history; then, get the inside scoop on the best spots for dining, nightlife, and shopping.

See historic Salida through the eyes of a local on this intimate small-group walking tour. Experience Salida’s wild west past, history, culture, and architecture with a professional guide. Be captivated by fascinating tales of Salida's exciting, and sometimes violent, history. Visitor and residents alike come away with hidden secrets of this unique town.

Ask about ghosts in Salida, and you’ll hear plenty of stories. Learn about this Colorado town's haunted history on a tour of Salida’s grisly past. Let your guide take you through the dark streets, pointing out the infamous red light district and the exact locations of murders and active spirits. See where ghosts wander to this day.

Enjoy a scenic drive to Aspen via the spectacular Independence Pass, standing as Colorado’s highest paved road at 12,095 feet. This route offers stunning mountain views, rich in natural beauty and historical significance, leading you straight into the heart of Aspen. Perfect for those who appreciate both the great outdoors and a bit of leisure, this tour allows you to experience breathtaking landscapes and the charm of Aspen’s shops and cafes. Ideal for photography buffs and casual explorers alike, it promises a mix of adventure and relaxation in one of Colorado’s most iconic settings.

Why stay on the beaten path when you can see Colorado up close? Let us show you the real Rockies where the spirit of adventure is alive and the landscapes inspire awe at every turn! Our tour is unique from any other tour company you’ve likely encountered before. Off-roading, and the discovery of out-of-the-way places, is our passion and has been since coming to Colorado over 30 years ago. Here are just a few of the things that set us apart from all others: - Our tours are 100% private for your group of six or less. - Our tours range from mild to wild and, based on your preferences, are planned just for your group. - Our owner personally drives every group. - Our vehicle is a custom Toyota Land Cruiser with safety, comfort, and off-road capabilities that are unmatched by nearly any other vehicle.

Journey through the heart of the Rockies on our Crested Butte via Cottonwood Pass tour. This scenic drive offers an exhilarating blend of natural beauty and serene landscapes as you ascend to the summit of Cottonwood Pass, one of the highest mountain roads in Colorado. Witness panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and valleys, and revel in the lush, wildflower-filled meadows of Crested Butte, often referred to as the “Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” This tour provides not just a visual feast but also an opportunity to experience the tranquil charm of mountain towns along the way.

Novice and advanced rafters alike agree that running Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River makes for a fun-filled day on the water. Admire canyon scenery as you head through white water, including rapids such as Pinball and Big Drop. Lunch is also included for you to enjoy partway through the trip.