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Browns Canyon Rafting Trips
Rapids Rating: III - III+
Min. Age: 6

Browns Canyon is Colorado's #1 whitewater rafting trip! Launch from our convenient riverfront location for more river time, less shuttle time!

Raft Colorado’s Arkansas River through the BROWNS CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT. Experience the fun and excitement of rafting several Class III-III+ whitewater rapids such as Pinball, Zoom Flume, and Raft Ripper. Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co. is conveniently located just south of Buena Vista, Colorado. We are within 2 hours from Colorado Springs, Denver, Breckenridge and Vail.

Our Half Day Browns Canyon Rafting trip begins at Noah’s Ark’s private boat launch. Raft trips are approximately 2-3 hours (varies with water level). Lunch is available before or after your trip at the Riverside Pavilion at Noah’s Ark.

Our Full Day Browns Canyon Rafting Trip extends the miles and the fun of our Half Day Trip. You will be on the river approximately 4-5 hours (varies with water levels), including lunch.

Lunch in Browns Canyon features delicious deli-style sandwiches, fruit, homemade breads, and fresh-baked sweets. After lunch, it’s back to the river, where an afternoon of rapids, including the infamous Seidel’s Suckhole awaits.

Looking for an extended adventure? Check out our Browns Canyon Overnight Rafting Trip

This overnight rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument is a 2-day Colorado vacation that is affordable, hassle-free, and high quality!

Click here for trip details and booking.

Half Day Trip
2-3 Hours
Adults $106, Youth (6-12) $96
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Full Day Trip
4-5 Hours
Adults $156 Youth (6-12) $146
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Details
Meeting Place

Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting
Co. Buena Vista, Colorado

Group Size & Discount

Min. 1, Max. 500
Discount for groups 10 or more.
Please call for group discounts.

Check-in Time

Half Day
8 AM May & August
8:45 AM June & July

Full Day
8 AM

Miles

Half Day - 10mi
Full Day - 16mi

Trip Meal

Half Day - Not Included
Full Day - Included

Experience & Equipment

No experience required
Rafting Equipment List (PDF)

Reviews

We had an amazing rafting trip this summer! Noah’s Ark was outstanding across the board. They were professional and it was obvious safety is a priority for them. But they were also personable and engaging. Our guide made an effort to get to know us. She was also very knowledgeable about the river and the area in general. She made sure we saw unique rock formations and interesting things. I highly recommend and would definitely use again.

Ok thrill seekers, this one’s for you! If you’ve ever wanted to try whitewater river rafting then “Noah’s Ark” is here to make that dream a reality for you. A little more than a hour South of Breckenridge you’ll find @noahsarkrafting based in Buena Vista along the Arkansas River. Although our adventure traveled along Class 1-3 rapids, they also offer tours including Class 4 rapids 😳. The entire staff was prepared, supportive, and professional.

We had an amazing time on our trip with Caleb as our guide! It was very clear that the Noah's Ark team had the most experience as we saw other groups struggle through rapids that we had no problem with. We enjoyed our conversation with our guide, the lovely scenery and a perfect day for rafting. Highly recommend Noah's Ark!!

We had an awesome time rafting Brown's Canyon! Joel our rafting guide was a laid back experienced professional, who was easy to get along with. He did an excellent job at guiding and instructing us through the rapids we encountered along our way. We would highly recommend this guiding service to anyone who wants to have an awesome time on the Arkansas River. The whole staff at Noah's ark were very courteous and friendly. We will definitely be visiting again on our next trip to the Buena Vista area!

This was our first whitewater rafting trip. We had 3 kids from 6-13. Avery was our guide and did an amazing job getting us down the river. The experience was way better than we had imagined! Everyone loved it. Would absolutely go again. Thanks to Avery for a most memorable trip!

FAQ

High water levels occur as a result of above average snowfall in our mountains. Because the Arkansas River is fed by snowmelt, it is especially cold during spring runoff (typically May and June). Higher water levels in combination with cold temperatures can add stress to the body and increase the risks to participants, specifically those with preexisting health conditions, especially heart related issues. If this is you, we recommend talking with your physician prior to your rafting trip.When higher water levels occur, guests should discuss age restrictions, trip conditions, and trip selection with the Noah’s Ark team.

No. Whitewater rafting is inherently risky. These risks are at the core of the experience and provide the excitement associated with the activity.
Because guest care is at the core of who we are, we take the preparation of our staff very seriously. Our guides undergo rigorous training that exceeds state requirements. This includes learning principles of risk management and decision making that lead to minimizing but never completely eliminating risk.

Yes, each raft will have a guide.

While knowing how to swim is not required, it is definitely recommended. Noah’s Ark will provide you with a type V Coast Guard approved life jacket designed to keep you afloat in the water. If you find yourself out of the raft, the ability to swim will increase your comfort level and will enable you to assist in your own rescue.

Before your trip, we will give you a safety talk. In this talk, your trip leader will teach you how to protect yourself in the water, how to identify and evade hazards, and how to maneuver yourself back to a raft or the shore should you fall in.

In an oar boat, the guide sits in the middle of the boat and does ALL of the work using oars the work oars. Oar boats are ideal for anyone apprehensive about paddling or looking to just hang out and enjoy the scenery.

In a combination boat, the guide also sits in the middle and uses oars, but is assisted by up to 4 paddlers. This boat allows some guests to paddle and some guests to just hold on. The “combo” boat gives the guide more control and the customers more action at the same time. It is ideal for families with kids and groups with mixed ability or ambition.

In a paddle boat, the guide steers from the back of the boat and calls out commands to paddlers who provide the necessary momentum to move the boat down the river. Being in a paddle boat requires a commitment to paddle the entire length of the trip. There is less opportunity to hold on in a paddle boat, as guests must be prepared to paddle through the rapids. The minimum age to be in a paddle boat is 14 with previous class III experience or 16 without. Your trip leader will work with you to select the right type of boat(s) for your group.

Oar boats and combo boats can hold up to 8 people plus the guide, while a paddle boat can hold up to 7 plus the guide. If you are in a group requiring more than 1 raft, your trip leader will work with you to appropriately divide the group into boats.

Our office and guide staff will have day-of suggestions for your group based on changes in water and weather conditions. There are however some never changing recommendations.

We advise wearing quick drying materials, such as swimsuits, swim trunks, Underarmour, nylon, or other synthetic fabrics. Staying away from cotton is essential as it will keep you cold when it gets wet. For your feet, old tennis shoes are great or any sandals with a strong back strap around the ankle, i.e. Chacos or Tevas. No Crocs or Flip-Flops Sunscreen is highly recommended and sunglasses with a strap.

Good to note, we do have river booties, polypropylene shirts, wetsuits, and Splash Jackets for rent.

We will make daily wetsuit recommendations based on water and weather conditions. We recommend renting a wetsuit during “high water” (early summer) as water is colder and trips are splashier. Wetsuits can help guard against the potential shock associated with cold water immersion. Wetsuits can also help keep you more comfortable during inclement weather, which is common and unpredictable in Colorado during the summer months. As the water gets lower and weather gets warmer, wetsuits are no longer necessary.

The largest Type V life jacket approved by the Coast Guard allows for a 52″ chest. This is what we provide.

Please refer to the Rapid Classification Chart for this information.

Helmets are required on all whitewater rafting trips.

Based on developmental milestones of kids, the risk, the water, and the type of gear, we have established that the minimum age for the Browns Canyon section of the river is 6 years old. We will incrementally increase minimum age for Browns Canyon during peak run-off season.

Noah’s Ark has strict policies in place for each section of water on the Arkansas River. If the water exceeds, or drops below a certain level (measured in cubic feet per second), Noah’s Ark may find it necessary to move a trip to another section or cancel a trip entirely.

Packages
Compare
Scroll Table
Rafting TripsMilesCheck-in TimeRapids RatingMeals IncludedMin. AgeBest for FamiliesAdult PriceYouth Price
Browns Canyon Half Day108:00 AM & 12:45 PMIII to III+None6Yes$106$96
Browns Canyon Full Day168:00 AM May & Aug
8:45 AM June & July
III to IV16Yes$156$146
Narrows Full Day138:00 AMIII to IV114No$155N/A
Numbers Half Day68:00 AM & 12:45 PMIV to IV+None16No$125N/A
Numbers Full Day198:00 AMIV to IV+116No$175N/A
Royal Gorge Full Day188:00 AMIV to IV+116No$180N/A
Browns Canyon Overnight1611:45 AMIII to IV36Yes$450$425
Narrows Overnight Trip298:00 AMIII to IV414No$495N/A