Adventures of a Life time

For over 25 years, it has been our passion to guide people in exploring Colorado’s natural wonders.

We know Colorado and all her wild extremes — join us in discovering extraordinary adventures and create memories that will last a lifetime!

White Water Rafting

From exhilarating to heart pounding, there is no greater way to experience Colorado than through our guided rafting trips on some of Colorado’s most pristine rivers.

Why AVA?

  • 25 years in service
  • Your safety is our job
  • We set the bar high
  • We have the trip for you

Ziplining

AVA offers exciting Denver, CO ziplining trips at two locations: Idaho Springs, just 30 minutes from Denver, and Buena Vista, located in the Arkansas River Valley. Ziplining in either Colorado location is a one-of-a-kind adventure!

Via Ferrata and Rock Climbing

Join us for vertical adventure that both challenges and takes your breath away. Explore the Colorado mountains from new heights tailored to your skill level and take in the panoramic views!

Explore all our Colorado adventures

Make Colorado the destination of your next adventure, and let AVA be your Colorado guide! We have over 20 years of service in Colorado whitewater rafting and activities for everyone from first-timers to outdoor thrill-seekers.

Fly Fishing

Our fly fishing trips are perfect for beginners hoping to learn basic technique through more advanced anglers looking to discover Colorado’s best fishing spots! Join us on one of our overnight and multiple day fly fishing trips for a complete outdoor adventure experience.

Trending Trips for Everyone

group rafting on the upper colorado river
Fun & Mellow
Most Popular for All Ages & Abilities

Colorado Scenic Float-Half Day

This wonderful Colorado River float trip is a gently flowing section that is inviting to all ages. You’ll encounter a few small rapids as [...]

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Colorado Zipline Tours
Exciting & Active
Best for Families with Kids

Cliffside Zipline Half Day

Fly through the trees on our exciting 6-line zipline course in Idaho Springs. This trip includes features such as a dual race line, hanging [...]

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Guest on the 78-foot free fall on AVA's Granite Via Ferrata course.
Thrilling & Very Active
Best for thrill seekers

Colorado Via Ferrata – Granite

Adventure awaits as you conquer the cliffside on this unique mountaintop climbing experience. Feel a rush of adrenaline as you traverse across and above [...]

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fisher towers in moab during golden hour
Fun & Mellow
Most Popular for All Ages & Abilities

Fisher Towers Half-Day Rafting Trip | Colorado River, Moab

If you’re picturing the Colorado River winding through towering red rock canyons, calm stretches of water, and just enough splash to keep things fun. [...]

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woman paddling inflatable kayak
Splashy & Moderate
Best for Choose Your Own Adventure

Inflatable Kayaks Half Day

Looking to take charge of the river? On AVA’s Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak ½ Day trip you can do just that! Whether you want [...]

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Woman ziplining in the Colorado mountains.
Exciting & Active
Best for Families with Kids

Mountaintop Ziplining In Colorado – Half Day

Fly between towering old-growth pine trees and cliffs on our Mountaintop Zipline, a unique Colorado experience fun for all ages. This course may be [...]

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Person on a Via Ferrata course.
Thrilling & Very Active
Best for Cliffside Thrills

Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata

Get your heart up on one of our most daring adventure trips! On our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata course, you will traverse the [...]

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White water rafting in Colorado
Exciting & Active
Most Popular - Great for Kids

Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure

 
Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting [...]

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group smiling through spray as they paddle down the Arkansas River
Exciting & Active
Best for Families & Groups

Browns Canyon 1/2 Day

 
Get ready to experience the best of Colorado on our Brown’s Canyon half-day trip. This family-friendly adventure rushes you down the Arkansas River and [...]

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Don't just take our word for it

J LEF2025-08-15

Laura & Dillon were great Zipline guides! Photos are few and of poor quality. Other than disappointing photos, all AVA staff were awesome!
Streamline process from start to finish. We all learned a lot about Zipline and had fun. We'll return for whitewater rafting! Thank you!

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Julie Miller2025-06-12

I took my husband and our three children ages 17, 13, and 12 and we had the experience of a lifetime. Parker was our guide and he was knowledgeable and professional, and has the best personality for what he’s doing. We booked the Browns Canyon Sizzler and we could not have been happier with our choice. We embarked on our adventure around 9am and were back at the outpost mid afternoon. Halfway through our float we stopped and had delicious fajitas prepared right there by the river by the guides. I’m so glad I decided to go with this company, we were not disappointed one bit. We definitely have AVA in mind the next time we come to Colorado, maybe I’ll try some zip-lining next time. Thanks for the awesome adventure!

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Brandy Van2025-07-09

Olivia, Bus, Andy, and Jess took our family out for a day of via ferrata and zip lining through the mountains. We had an absolute blast! The course was challenging and full of surprises. They really push you to the limit and then let you jump over the ledge (literally)! They made it clear from the onset that no challenge was mandatory and there’s no shame in bypassing obstacles that don’t speak to your adventure. It was such a positive experience for everyone in our family. Thank you so much for a wonderful day in the mountains!!

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Olivia Karaszewski2024-06-12

We had an incredible experience with AVA Rafting & Zipline last weekend for our birthdays! My husband, two friends, and I went white water rafting in Buena Vista, and it was an adventure we'll never forget. Our guide, Todd, was absolutely amazing. His expertise and enthusiasm made the trip both thrilling and safe. We tackled class 4 rapids, and Todd’s guidance ensured we had an exhilarating and enjoyable time. The scenery was breathtaking, and the entire tour was perfectly organized from start to finish. If you're looking for a top-notch rafting experience with skilled and friendly guides, look no further than AVA Rafting & Zipline. We can't wait to return for another adventure!

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Jeff Jewett2025-06-21

Browns Canyon is beautiful and the rafting is great for families, but please choose any other outfitter besides AVA. Our party of 12 experienced an organizational clownshow yesterday, and an indifferent admin that seemed unable or unwilling to make it better when their mistakes kept piling on. Our summer sizzler trip started with the van not having functional seat belts. After a few miles in the van, we RAN OUT OF GAS. We waited about 15 minutes by the side of a busy highway in the hot sun (in wet suits and PFDs!) while the hapless guides tried to run up the road until they could get a cell signal. When the rescue van came, we couldn't use it because it had BAD BRAKES. The 3rd van that came worked, but it also lacked seat belts.
[ These same crappy vans are also used by Peak 1 Transportation in the winter to Breckenridge, so avoid them too. ] If this is a company that puts "safety first," as I was told, nobody mentioned that to their van mechanics.
We were excited about the planned riverside hot lunch of grilled fajitas. After we pulled out at Hecla junction, the guides started to make lunch...and then stopped. I heard a few reasons why, but the story kept changing. We ended up not getting lunch until back at the office at 3 pm. Even with our late arrival, they still didn't have our trip pictures ready.
They didn't meet us with food or apologies. They didn't seem too concerned about the cascading series of logistical fiascos, even though the office staff knew all about it and pledged to help when I asked to speak with a manager. They weren't authorized to do any refunds, and the back office guy who could didn't call me back for over 24 hours and then made only very weak attempts to make things right.
I'm giving 2 stars instead of one because the guides were good, the river and rapids were beautiful, and we saw some great wildlife, but you should choose any of the dozens of other outfitters running this river.

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