Breckenridge

Within an hour of Breckenridge, you will find world-class whitewater rafting on the Blue River, Colorado River, Arkansas River, and Clear Creek. From intense whitewater to family friendly options, there is a rafting trip (or multiple!) for every group. The nearby Blue River is home to splashy class III rafting, while Buena Vista and Idaho Springs offer a range of rafting opportunities from class III through V. Check out the Colorado River for relaxing float trips, along with fly fishing, stand-up paddleboarding, and kayaking!

The Summit of Adventure

Breckenridge, Colorado is the place to visit if you are looking for a hip mountain town with access to the best outdoor adventures the Colorado mountains have to offer. Located within Summit County, Breckenridge offers all-season adventure opportunities, including biking, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding, with easy access to rafting, ziplining, Via Ferrata, and more.

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Top Trips

Whitewater Rafting trips from the mellow and mild to the wet and wild are all easy day-trips from Breckenridge. Choose from shorter, 2-hour adventures to overnight trips. AVA offers experiences on the Arkansas River, Colorado River, Blue River, and Clear Creek with a wide array of choices, allowing you to find the perfect river trip for you and your party. Breckenridge is also an ideal central location for all of our outdoor adventure opportunities, including Ziplining, Via Ferrata, Rock climbing, Fly Fishing, and more! Breckenridge is additionally the location for our Bike Rentals, allowing you to explore the paved paths and dirt trails of Summit County.

  1. The Numbers 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata

    This adventure will get your heart rate up and keep it up as you embark on our Numbers + Via Ferrata full-day excursion. This rafting and climbing experience will challenge all adrenaline seekers, as you tackle some of the most difficult whitewater in the country, as well as our heart-pounding Via Ferrata course.

  2. Browns Canyon Half Day + Zipline Package

    This multi-adventure package will keep you energized and smiling the entire day, as you fly through the trees on our Mountaintop Zipline course and then rush the rapids on our Brown's Canyon whitewater adventure.

  3. Polaris RZR 2 Hour Rental+ Scenic Float Package

    Looking to kick up a little dirt and then wash it off? Experience the best of Colorado's outdoors on our full-day UTV Rental and Scenic Float adventure package!  

  4. Upper Colorado 4 Hour Fly Fishing

    Join AVA for a scenic fly-fishing excursion on the Upper Colorado River. Our 4- hour float trips are perfect for both novice and experienced anglers and present an opportunity to both fish and relax!

  5. 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 the Arkansas River Valley, using iron rungs, bars, and other features to ascend. Your stomach will drop on our hanging bridge and freefall flight line!

  6. Gold Rush Rafting+ Zipline

      Join us on one of our best family trips, and experience Colorado fun on the river and in the air. From our Idaho Springs outpost, paddle Clear Creek's best family-friendly whitewater and soar through the trees on our cliffside zipline course.  

Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting

Blue River Rafting

The Blue River is just a half hour from Breckenridge in Silverthorne, Colorado. This river is known for stunning Rocky Mountain Views, including the Gore Range and of Quandary Peak and is a tributary of the Colorado River. Raft the Blue River Express for an exciting and scenic trip on class III rapids!

Arkansas River Rafting

Located just an hour and 15 minutes away from Breckenridge, Colorado, our Buena Vista outpost provides access to the majestic Arkansas River. Rafters on this river will be treated to breathtaking scenery, including the impressive Collegiate Peak Mountain Range within the Sawatch Range. Experience the thrill of navigating the Browns Canyon National Monument with our Browns Canyon 1/2 Day trip . This intermediate whitewater adventure offers plenty of opportunities to admire the stunning granite canyon, picturesque landscapes, and abundant wildlife. For those looking for a full-day adventure, choose the Browns Canyon Sizzler or 24 Hours in Browns, our overnight trip where you can camp riverside and sleep under the stars. If you’re seeking more intense rapids, our Numbers 1/2 day trip is perfect for you. Prepare to tackle the most continuous whitewater rafting section of the Arkansas River, featuring exhilarating class IV rapids. And for the most daring adventurers, our Gauntlet or  Rappel into the Gauntlet excursions await. Begin the day with an optional 75-foot rappel to a waiting raft and experience the adrenaline rush of conquering the Arkansas River’s steepest section, complete with heart-pumping class V rapids.

Colorado River Rafting

Flowing from the Continental Divide to Mexico’s Gulf of California, the Colorado River travels through 7 states and the Grand Canyon, providing water to 36 million people. AVA is lucky enough to have access to the Upper Colorado River from our Kremmling outpost, one hour from Breckenridge. On the Colorado River, we offer scenic half and full day float trips with opportunities for Inflatable Kayak and Stand up Paddleboarding trips. Visitors experience a few gentle rapids, as this section flows through the Gore Range. Our float trips allow for plenty of time to relax, swim, and sunbathe on the river! We also run an overnight 24 Hours on the Upper Colorado trip, where visitors have the opportunity to experience day and night on the beautiful Upper Colorado River, as well as our Fly-Fishing trips, including walk and wade, Float, and overnight options.

Clear Creek Rafting

Clear Creek is also located one hour from Breckenridge, with our outpost in Idaho Springs providing access to the river. Clear creek offers rafting for all ages and ability levels and represents the best rafting near the Denver area. Clear Creek travels through historic Idaho Springs and its mining valley, reaping stunning Colorado views and wildlife along the way. For a milder introduction to whitewater rafting and trip perfect for all ages, choose our Clear Creek Gold Rush trip and rush through eleven class III rapids. Our Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day trip will take you through slightly more advanced class IV rapids, while our Lower Canyon 1/2 day trip provides an introductory option to more challenging class V whitewater rapids with steeper technical sections to get your heart racing. For those seeking intense thrills and exciting rapids, choose our Phoenix trip. This is a full day advanced trip with 20 miles of thrilling adventure and non-stop excitement!

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Fast Facts

The Closest River to Breckenridge

The nearest river to Breckenridge is the Blue River, just a half hour away in Silverthorne. The Colorado River and Clear Creek are both about an hour From Breckenridge, with the Arkansas River also about an hour and 15 minutes.

Blue River

The Closest Outpost to Breckenridge

Our outposts in Kremmling and Idaho Springs are both about an hour from Breckenridge, with our Buena Vista location slightly over an hour away.

AVA Locations

For Beginners and Families

The Blue River Express offers a perfect introduction to rafting on a 1/3 trip. close to Breckenridge. These milder class III rapids are gentle enough for all ages 5 and up.

Blue River Express

For Adrenaline Junkies

The Gauntlet on Pine Creek and The Numbers sections of the Arkansas River is some of the most intense rafting in the state. This stretch of the Arkansas River will get your heart pumping! And choose our Rappel into the Gauntlet trip for an extra rush, as you drop to your waiting raft.

The Gauntlet

More Activities

Biking

Our bike rentals are located in downtown Breckenridge. Choose from a leisure, E-bike, mountain, or gravel bike and check out over 792 miles of trails. If you want a smooth ride, the rec path runs all the way from Breckenridge to Frisco with wonderful views of Lake Dillon and Breckenridge's stunning mountain scenery.

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Fly-Fishing

Just one hour north of Breckenridge through the beautiful Gore Canyon you can find some of the best fly fishing in Colorado on the Colorado River near Kremmling, Colorado. Experience a fishing float trip, a walk and wade trip, or an overnight adventure.

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Ziplining

We offer two zipline courses near Breckenridge, each only about 1 hour from downtown. The first is in Buena Vista, Colorado, where you will fly high into the Collegiate Peaks and above the Arkansas River Valley. Our other course is located in Idaho Springs, built into the mountainside above the Chicago Creek and historic town.

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Via Ferrata

Our Buena Vista and Idaho Springs locations also offers thrilling Via Ferrata courses. Climb high into the cliffsides and traverse across iron rungs, bars, and bridges. You can even soar across several lines of our zipline course!

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Other Breckenridge Attractions

Main Street

Take a stroll along Main Street in Breckenridge and explore its charming historic district. Lined with Victorian-era buildings housing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes, Main Street offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. Don't miss landmarks like the Barney Ford House Museum, which tells the story of an escaped slave who became a prominent entrepreneur in Breckenridge.

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Hiking Trails

Breckenridge is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, and one of the best ways to experience it is by hiking on the area's scenic trails. Whether you're seeking a leisurely walk through snow-covered forests or a challenging trek to a mountain summit, Breckenridge has options for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. Popular trails include the Burro Trail and the Peaks Trail.

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Brewery Tour

Beer enthusiasts can enjoy a tour of the Breckenridge Brewery, where they can learn about the brewing process and sample a variety of craft beers. Founded in 1990, Breckenridge Brewery is known for its innovative brews and laid-back atmosphere. After the tour, visitors can relax in the brewery's tasting room or outdoor beer garden, enjoying scenic views of the surrounding mountains.

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Epic Discovery Park

Explore the great outdoors at Breckenridge Epic Discovery Park, located at the base of Peak 8. This adventure park offers a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy during the summer months. Zip through the treetops on the Expedition Zipline Tour, navigate the Alpineer Challenge Course, or take a scenic chairlift ride to the mountaintop for breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.

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Explore Breckenridge Adventures

FAQs

Where are you located?

AVA has locations across the state of Colorado. Our primary outposts are located in Idaho Springs, Kremmling, Buena Vista and Breckenridge. For more information on getting to your adventure with us, please visit our Getting Here page.

Is transportation to and from the outpost provided?

Transportation to the outpost is not included. You can enhance your experience and add our shuttle service as an additional offer during the booking process. If you add this transportation to your adventure, a private car will pick you up at your address and transport your group to our outpost, and our driver will be ready to take you home at the conclusion of your tour!

When is the best time to go rafting?

If you’re planning a vacation to Colorado you likely have a limited time window from which to choose – and that’s just fine. Depending on the type of challenge, length of time you want to be on the river, and the location you’ll be visiting, we have multiple options for beginner to advanced paddlers. The Best Time To Enjoy River Trips at AVA: Arkansas River: May – Sept Clear Creek: May – Sept Colorado River: May – Sept Blue River: June Dolores River: May – June Salt River: Late February – mid-May

When can I go ziplining?

You can zipline with AVA from March through November each year! The Cliffside Zipline in Idaho Springs near Denver will open the first weekend of March and stay open on a limited schedule through the end of November. The Mountaintop Zipline in Buena Vista will open between the end of April and early May and stay open through Labor Day. During the summer there are zipline trips hourly starting at 8:00am at both locations.