Buena Vista South Main

Located in the heart of Buena Vista’s vibrant South Main neighborhood, AVA’s South Main outpost places guests right in the center of the town’s outdoor culture and riverside energy. Just steps from the Arkansas River, this walkable adventure hub is surrounded by local favorites like the Surf Hotel and Eddyline Brewery, creating the perfect atmosphere to relax after a day on the water. South Main was intentionally designed around river life and whitewater culture, blending mountain town charm with modern amenities, gathering spaces, live music, restaurants, and direct river access.

The Best of the Rockies

Guests staying or adventuring at AVA’s South Main location are only a short walk from the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, one of Colorado’s most iconic river parks featuring kayak waves, surf features, riverside trails, beaches, and viewing areas along the Arkansas River. The neighborhood’s connection to the river creates a lively atmosphere throughout the summer, where kayakers, paddleboarders, rafters, and spectators gather daily to enjoy the action.

AVA’s South Main outpost combines convenient access to Colorado whitewater rafting with the energy of Buena Vista’s most dynamic riverfront district. Whether guests are grabbing a post-trip drink at Eddyline, staying riverside at the Surf Hotel, catching live music in South Main Town Square, or watching surfers ride the whitewater park waves, the area delivers a complete Colorado mountain town experience both on and off the river.

Explore Arkansas

Top Trips

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  1. 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 through Browns Canyon National Monument on exciting yet mellower class III rapids.  

  2. Numbers 1/2 Day

    Looking for that quintessential Colorado whitewater rafting experience? Head to the Numbers section of the Arkansas River! If you are an experienced rafter looking to take it to the next level or an adventurous beginner up for a new challenge, the Numbers rafting trip is the perfect exhilarating adventure.

  3. Mt. Princeton 2 Hour Ride

    The Arkansas Valley is lined with 15 14,000-foot peaks - the most in one concentration in Colorado - which makes for one of the most scenic locations for a Colorado horseback ride. You'll get views of Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale, Ht. Harvard and Mt. Antero on this ride.  

  4. Browns Canyon Sizzler

    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 fajitas lunch.  

  5. 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.

  6. Browns Canyon Rafting + Via Ferrata

    Excitement and scenery await on your Browns Canyon + Via Ferrata full-day adventure. Climb into the Rocky Mountains and rush the rapids of the mighty Arkansas River.

  7. 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.

  8. Mt. Princeton Sunset Ride

    <p style="text-align: left;">See why Colorado is known for its breathtaking sunsets. Being on horseback at sunset is a memory that will last forever. This two hour ride allows you to see the vistas that make the Arkansas Valley so renowned for its scenery.</p>

Explore Buena Vista Adventures

 

AVA's Buena Vista South Main Outpost

The Arkansas River

Our Buena Vista South Main outpost offers convenient access to the mighty Arkansas River. The Arkansas River, flowing through the heart of the Rocky Mountains, is renowned for its scenic beauty and thrilling whitewater adventures. As one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the United States, the Arkansas River provides excitement for adventurers of all skill levels. Our Arkansas River trips include rafting for all levels on class III through V rapids, with options for half-day, full-day, and overnight adventures. Arkansas River Trips

Browns Canyon 1/2 Day: Our Most Popular Trip

AVA’s Browns Canyon Half Day rafting trip is our most popular whitewater adventure in Buena Vista and one of the best rafting experiences in Colorado. Perfect for first-time rafters, families, groups, and adventure seekers alike, this trip takes you through the heart of the nationally recognized Browns Canyon National Monument on the Arkansas River.

Enjoy an exciting mix of splashy Class III rapids, beautiful mountain scenery, granite canyon walls, and calmer stretches perfect for taking in the views. This half day trip offers the ideal balance of adrenaline and scenic floating, making it a favorite for guests looking to experience Colorado whitewater rafting without committing to a full day on the river.

Conveniently departing from our South Main Buena Vista outpost, the Browns Canyon Half Day trip is a must-do summer adventure for visitors exploring Buena Vista and the Arkansas River Valley.

Browns Canyon 1/2 Day

Browns Canyon 1/2 Day + Ziplining

Browns Canyon 1/2 Day + Via Ferrata

More Buena Vista Adventures

Additional opportunities near our Buena Vista outpost include horseback riding at Mount Princeton Stables and fly fishing at Ark Anglers. Both activities are family friendly with an opportunity to learn horseback riding and fishing technique and offer several types of trips. Experience the best of Buena Vista with a multi-adventure package, and combine two unique activities in one full day of fun. Choose from rafting and ziplining, rafting and Via Ferrata, rafting and rock climbing, and rock climbing and ziplining, or build your own package with a custom adventure package. The opportunities to explore the best of the Colorado Rockies are endless! Horseback Riding  Fly-fishing Multi-adventure Packages

Buena Vista lodging

At our Buena Vista outpost, we also host cabins and campsites for rent before or after your adventure. Sleep under the stars or in our cozy cabins and wake up refreshed for another day of exploring the outdoors. Our lodging accommodations are within easy access of the Colorado Trail, river and lake fishing spots, and other hiking trails. All cabins include furniture for four guests, and campsites host a spacious area for one large tent or two smaller ones. Lodging

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