Thrilling & Very Active

Browns Canyon Sizzler Full Day

The full-day Browns Canyon Sizzler represents the ultimate Colorado rafting experience! This trip offers a full day of classic white water rafting through class III rapids on the Arkansas River, complete with a riverside deli style lunch.

 

The Highlights Of Your Trip

The Browns Canyon Sizzler offers thrilling whitewater appropriate for everyone in your group, and first-time rafters through experienced river rats will enjoy navigating moderate rapids through the majestic Browns Canyon National Monument.

Minimum age: 7

Book this trip

1

How much

Pricing

From $159

12+

From $154

Ages 7-12 15% off
with promo SNOWDANCE24

2

What's included

Activities

  • Rafting
3

Trip Length

Duration

Full day, includes lunch

4

How Hard

Difficulty

Thrilling & Very Active
5

Who can go

Minimum Age

7 years old & Up

A. What to Expect

  • Full day of rafting on the Arkansas River
  • 17 miles of adventure through class III rapids
  • Rafting through a National Monument
  • Colorado’s best mountain scenery
  • Deli style lunch
  • Experienced raft guides

B. Trip Itinerary

  • Meet with your guide at our Buena Vista outpost
  • Gear up for your river trip
  • Shuttle to the water and learn the basics of paddling technique from your guide
  • Spend the morning on the Arkansas River amidst the stunning scenery
  • Break for lunch, as your guides prepare a riverside deli lunch
  • Hit the water for even more splashy fun
  • Shuttle back to the outpost and view photos from your trip

C. Who will love this trip?

  • Families looking for a full day river adventure for all ages to enjoy
  • Groups hoping to experience the best of the Rocky Mountains
  • Nature lovers seeking the most majestic scenery Colorado has to offer

What to expect

On Your Whitewater Rafting Adventure

Rafting the Arkansas River.

A Full Day of Excitement

This full day of adventure blasts you through Browns Canyon National Monument on an epic day on the Arkansas River. Appropriate for the younger members of your group, but still exciting for the older kids and adults, rafting Browns Canyon is your chance to enjoy Colorado whitewater rafting for all ages and ability levels! You’ll start out the day with a safety talk and a quick paddling lesson from your guide, then have just enough time to get used to working as a team before you hit the first rapids.

This river adventure will take you on a splashy ride through the river’s best class III rapids, with drops up to 35 ft. per mile. Once you’re inside Browns Canyon, the stunning granite walls rise up to either side while the thrilling rapids continue. Halfway through the canyon, we’ll break for a deli lunch by the edge of the river. You’ll have time to take a breather and reminisce on the first half of the day before continuing on through the granite monument.

Looking over a mountain lake at dusk with light hitting the peaks in the distance.

Unparalleled Scenery

The Arkansas River is known for its majestic scenery and represents one of the most picturesque areas in Colorado. You will have the opportunity to take in the impressive mountain and canyon scenery as you raft through Browns Canyon National Monument. Make sure you take your eyes off the water to observe the jaw-dropping views of the Collegiate Range, a chain of 14,000-foot mountains to the west. Keep an eye out for local bird life and other wildlife, including big horn sheep, deer, elk, and eagles.

Included Gear & Packing List

All of your gear will be provided for your rafting excursion. This includes:

  • PFD
  • Wetsuit
  • Splash jacket

WHAT TO BRING

  • Shoes that will stay securely on your feet… no flip flops or crocs!
  • Fleece and/or quick dry clothing
  • Waterproof sunscreen & sunglasses
  • Cash to tip your raft guide
Women riding horses in the backcountry.

Continue the Adventure

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Buena Vista, offering the perfect backdrop to extend your adventures or enjoy a mountain getaway:

  • Extend your stay in one of our cozy cabins or campsites, ensuring that your adventure is accompanied by comfortable accommodations
  • Try out one of our other adventures or discover a plethora of other outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fly-fishing, or horseback riding
  • Refuel and explore the diverse culinary scene of Buena Vista, boasting a variety of restaurants and breweries
  • Relax and unwind at nearby Cottonwood Hot Springs or Mount Princeton Hot Springs

Trip Location

Rafters on smooth waters.

Buena Vista

40671 US-24
Buena Vista, CO 81211

If using Google Maps, ‘US 24 North’ is incorrect and will take you 10 miles south of us. Type in the address exactly as listed above to ensure correct directions.

On the hunt for a true mountain excursion?  Head to Buena Vista, Colorado to raft through a national monument on our Brown’s Canyon 1/2 day trip, fly above the Arkansas River Valley on our Mountaintop Zipline, or Rock Climb the majestic Granite Gorge Cliffs, where views of the majestic Collegiate Peaks will take your breath away.

AVA’s Buena Vista Outpost is located just over an hour from Summit County and under two and a half hours from Denver, Colorado.

AVA Blog

Colorado Whitewater Rafting Packing List

We are excited to welcome you to the water for your exciting whitewater rafting trip! Before you leave for your adventure, it’s important to double-check […]

Best Whitewater Rafting Near Golden, Colorado

Golden was originally named Golden City after an early settler and miner, Tom Golden. Golden City was initially meant to be one of Colorado’s many […]