Browns Canyon Express

Experience the best of the Arkansas River on this 3/4 day trip through class III rapids and the majestic Browns Canyon National Monument. You’ll get the best of our Brown’s Canyon half-day with even more splashy fun and a later start to your day.

The Browns Canyon Express is 6 miles longer than the Browns Canyon Half Day and is a great Buena Vista whitewater rafting trip for groups looking for a‭ ‬shorter option than our full-day Browns Canyon Sizzler‭.‬ ‭ First-timers and more experienced rafters alike will enjoy the opportunity to paddle exciting whitewater down Colorado’s most iconic river and explore this national treasure by raft.

The Arkansas River is officially flowing for the 2026 season, and Browns Canyon is shaping up for a fun year on the water. With this year’s Colorado snowpack, flows are coming in at more manageable and technical levels compared to some recent high-water seasons, making it an awesome time for families, first-timers, and experienced paddlers alike. Trips on other sections of the Arkansas are also available to book, and our team will keep you updated on current river conditions and any trip options as your adventure gets closer.

Related Packages

  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. 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.  

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 24 Hours in Browns Canyon

    Experience Colorado's best overnight whitewater rafting. This trip provides a unique way to explore the most popular stretch of whitewater rafting in the country as you paddle and camp in the heart of Colorado's Rockies.

Not sure yet? Here are some other activities

  1. 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!

  2. 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 the most incredible way to see the Arkansas River valley as you experience Colorado from a unique vantage point.  

  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. 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 the Colorado River winds through the Gore Range and Mountain Ranchland.

  5. 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 to try something new or are seeking a little extra excitement or independence, the Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak trip is perfect for you!

  6. Cliffside Zipline Half Day

    <p class="isSelectedEnd">Experience one of the most unique zipline adventures near Denver on our Cliffside Zipline Course in Idaho Springs. Your adventure begins in historic downtown Idaho Springs before boarding our signature Safari Truck for a scenic ride up the mountain. From there, you'll soar across six exhilarating ziplines built directly into the rugged Rocky Mountain landscape above Chicago Creek.</p> As you travel from platform to platform, you'll fly past towering granite cliffs, forested slopes, and sweeping mountain views while tackling exciting aerial features including a hanging bridge, log cross, jungle bridge, and dual race line. This half-day adventure combines adrenaline, incredible scenery, and family-friendly fun, making it the perfect Colorado mountain experience for first-time zipliners and thrill seekers alike.

  7. Mount Blue Sky, Colorado Via Ferrata

    <p class="isSelectedEnd">Get your heart racing on one of Colorado's most unique aerial adventures. Our Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata takes you high above Chicago Creek on a guided cliffside climbing experience built directly into the rugged mountains surrounding historic Idaho Springs. Clipped into a continuous safety system, you'll traverse exposed rock faces, cross suspended bridges, and navigate a series of exciting features while taking in sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains below.</p> Throughout the adventure, you'll move across dramatic granite cliffs overlooking the canyon and downtown Idaho Springs, experiencing terrain typically reserved for technical climbers. Combining hiking, climbing, and aerial elements, the Mount Blue Sky Via Ferrata delivers an unforgettable mountain adventure just 30 minutes from Denver.