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Browns Canyon National Monument Whitewater Rafting

Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Buena Vista, USA
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

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.
  • Raft down Class III and IV rapids on the Arkansas River
  • See a unique view of Browns Canyon National Monument from the water
  • Purchase professional photos of your rafting experience
  • This guided activity is appropriate for all skill levels

What's Included

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Professional guide
  • Transportation from our office to and from the river
  • Gratuities
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

  • 12600 US Hwy 24/285, Buena Vista, CO 81211, USA

    Check-in time is 1 hour prior to booking time. Located in central Colorado 2 miles south of Buena Vista, in the small town of Johnson Village on the east side of the Arkansas River. Our location is near most resort towns including Keystone, Vail and Breckenridge, and 2.5 hours from Denver.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

1

Arkansas River

2

Wilderness Aware Rafting

3

Browns Canyon National Monument

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. Avoid cotton material.
  • Wetsuits, splash jackets and booties available to rent on site
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 21 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Tamara_C
We had a great trip. Brown's Canyon was picturesque and scenic. The rafting was not difficult and allowed time to sight-see as we traveled down river. Cat was a great guide and shared lots of information about the history of the canyon, as well as kept us safe! Good trip for famiies!

Reviews

5.0
based on 221 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Brown's canyon 2025

Tamara_C, Jul 2025
We had a great trip. Brown's Canyon was picturesque and scenic. The rafting was not difficult and allowed time to sight-see as we traveled down river. Cat was a great guide and shared lots of information about the history of the canyon, as well as kept us safe! Good trip for famiies!

Amazing experience

Mike_A, Jul 2025
Liz was a professional guide, and she was awesome, guide us and taught us who to do it as we were doing it for the first time.

Bear Snack Rocks !!

Jody_P, May 2025
We were takien care of so well from the very beginning. Every detail was thought of and explained to us so that we were prepared. Our guide SNACK was so thorough and fun as well and serious when he needed to be when we were in the roaring rapids.

Our guide, Danny was an...

Keith_S, Aug 2024
Our guide, Danny was an excellent guide and a great asset of Browns. He was very personable and knowledgeable about all facets of the trip. He did a terrific job guiding our boat around and through all the obstacles without taking out the fun.

Great afternoon!

Andrea_G, Jul 2023
Our guides were great and we had so much fun! Will definitely go through them again when we come back!

Amazing rafting trip with great guides!

Ashley_F, Jul 2023
We had an amazing time and our guide Justin was fantastic! We could not have asked for a more fun and enjoyable experience. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who is even slightly interested in rafting!

We loved it!!

Greg_M, Aug 2022
This experience for my family was amazing. The views were beautiful. My family really enjoyed the different currents. Geoff our guide was very educated with the area and was lots of fun!!

Great first time rafting...

Jessica_B, Jul 2022
Great first time rafting experience with Wilderness Aware. Our guide, Jake was a pro in all ways. His commands were easy to follow, and he knew the Arkansas River very well. He was a very knowledgeable guide, and made the experience very interesting and exciting. I would highly recommend the entire experience to anyone, rather novice or pro!

Great Ride

Gregory_T, Jun 2022
It was a beautiful day. Our guide was Coaltrain. He was excellent and informative. He had a good command of the boat, and was a lot of fun. Did a 360, and some surfing under a rock. The lunch was very well thought out. A great sandwich, and sides. I will definitely recommend this trip and your company. Thank you, Gloria Thomas

Blast on the River!!

Robert_C, May 2022
I wanted a memorable experience for my son and I to celebrate his recent graduation and couldn't have asked for a better time! Our guide, Gatlin was fantastic and made the day and rafting experience amazing! His knowledge of the river and each rapid we approached was spot on. We shared the raft with another couple and they couldn't have been nicer. Riverside lunch was delicious and the presentation impressive. If you want a first class experience, these are your guys!

Great rafting trip!

Callie_T, Aug 2021
Had a great time on our rafting trip. Water was at a perfect level and all the staff was friendly and professional. Jake was our guide and made sure everyone had fun. He pointed out landmarks and told us about the history in the area. I would definitely use this company again.

We had a fantastic adventure!

Bryan_S, Aug 2021
We had a great time with our guide, Gina! She was able to teach our two newbies everything they needed to know. Challenging? Yes! We were tested to our limits! We were sore and tired on the ride home, but talked about our next trip! Great company! Wilderness Aware Rafting!

Local Coloradoan loves WILDERNESS AWARE Rafting!

Kara_Y, Jul 2021
The company's name is WILDERNESS AWARE RAFTING, and they are fantastic!! I'm a local, Coloradoan, so I've been rafting many times. Gatlin was our guide, and he was truly skilled!! Cannot recommend enough!

Fun Whute Water Rafting

Yvette_F, Jun 2021
Great experience for my son and I. It was safe and fun. Gatlin was an excellent guide and we all managed to stay on the raft.

rafting

Justin_H, Aug 2020
Connor was awesome, great guide, had a lot of fun on the river and he answered all our questions and made us feel safe.

Great time!

Lina_D, Aug 2020
We did a half day rafting trip Aug 13th 2020. Gatlin was our guide and he was excellent! We enjoyed the gorgeous scenery and had so much fun paddling through the rapids. Our daughter fell in at one point so that was quite an adrenaline rush for all of us, but since we had been well prepared and trusted our guide she kept her cool and it all ended well, it actually added to the experience. The photos were awesome!

July 2020

Shaun, Jul 2020
Great experience/trip. Lana was our guide and she was awesome. Would definitely use this company again.

Better than expected

Heather_G, Jun 2020
Our rafting guide, Courtney, was fantastic. We had a great time and the day was well coordinated. Less than 2 hours away from Denver, worth the drive and a fun activity for the entire family!

First timers

dd50515455, Aug 2019
Had awesome full day tip. Guide was awesome, great attitude informative and helpful. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes adventure

This rafting trip was awesome!! My...

Brandy Y, Jul 2016
This rafting trip was awesome!! My family have been rafting before and this trip was made special by the guides. They are the most important thing for a trip not only our safety but our smiles and memories. Lindsey was our guide in the boat, she is an awesome guide

Great guides, cool ride on a beautiful...

Siarhei S, Jul 2016
Great guides, cool ride on a beautiful river. Fun and safe.

From $95.00

per person

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 24 days in advance.

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