Browns Canyon Half Day + Rock Climb
The Highlights Of Your Trip
Explore the best of Colorado on this full day of adventure. You’ll have the opportunity to climb high above the Arkansas River Valley and rush the rapids on the Arkansas River.
Minimum age 7 years old and minimum weight 50 lbs, Maximum 250 lbs.
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.
Book this trip
How much
Pricing
From $193
Ages 13+
From $183
Ages 7-12
What's included
Activities
- Rafting
- Rock Climbing
Trip Length
Duration
Full day, no lunch
How Hard
Difficulty
Who can go
Minimum Age
7 years old & Up
What AVA’s RAFTING + ROCK CLIMB looks like
What to expect
On Your Rafting & Rock Climbing Adventure
Trip Overview
Join AVA for a thrilling Rock Climb + Rafting adventure in beautiful Buena Vista! Spend half the day rock climbing with our experienced guides with your safety in mind. No matter what your experience level, our instructors can offer beginner routes with heavy instruction or simply point the way to more advanced routes for experienced climbers. You will learn the basics of belaying, rappelling & setting anchors. Whether you want to learn more about the sport or you just want to give it a try, our trips are perfect for you.
After a few hours of climbing, we’ll break for lunch. The other half of your day you’ll work to negotiate the intermediate whitewater rapids of the classic Browns Canyon. This trip delivers a mix of exhilarating whitewater and the majestic quality of a granite canyon. This stretch of the Arkansas River is perfect for different ages and experience levels.
Highlights
- Approximately 9-10 miles on the river
- Rapids such as Zoom Flume, Pinball, and Siedel’s Suckhole
- Multiple climbing routes to choose from
- Learn belaying, knot tying, and rappelling
- Experienced raft and climb guides
- Stunning views of the Arkansas River and river valley
- Wildlife spotting
Trip Itinerary*
- Meet up with your guide at the Buena Vista Outpost
- Gear up for Rock Climbing in Granite Gorge Cliffs
- Climb and learn new skills!
- Break for lunch at the outpost – please pack a lunch to enjoy
- Gear up for the Browns Canyon 1/2 Day Rafting
- Meet your guide & hit the rapids!
- Paddle together through rapids like Zoom Flume & Pinball
- Shuttle back to the Outpost
- Review photos from your trip
*For some trips, the order of adventures may be switched. Please check your individual booking for exact details.
Included Gear and Packing List
All of your gear will be provided for your rafting & rock climbing excursions. This includes:
- PFD
- Wetsuit
- Splash Jacket
- Helmet
- Zipline harness
- Gloves
WHAT TO BRING
- Waterproof shoes that will stay on your feet (no flip-flops or crocs)
- Sunscreen, sunglasses (and strap)
- Closed toed-shoes
- Longer pants or shorts that will fit in your harness
- Lunch
- Cash to tip your raft & zip guides!
Trip Location
Buena Vista South Main
924 South Main Street
Buena Vista, CO 81211
924 South Main Street, Buena Vista, CO 81211 is our rafting address. If you’re visiting for ziplining or via ferrata, make sure to use our 40579 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211 address.
Experience whitewater rafting in Buena Vista from AVA’s South Main outpost, located just steps from the Arkansas River in the heart of downtown Buena Vista. With easy access to Browns Canyon and family-friendly float trips, this location puts you close to some of Colorado’s best rafting adventures while surrounded by the energy of South Main, the Surf Hotel, Eddyline Brewery, and the Buena Vista Whitewater Park. Whether you are looking for exciting rapids or a scenic day on the river, AVA’s Buena Vista rafting trips deliver the perfect Colorado adventure.
From our Buena Vista outpost, experience some of Colorado’s best outdoor adventures with whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, ziplining, Via Ferrata, rock climbing, horseback riding, and more. Located in the heart of South Main near the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, our outpost is the perfect starting point for a full day in the mountains. Looking to maximize your adventure? Our multi-adventure packages let you combine multiple activities into one unforgettable Colorado experience filled with scenic views, exciting action, and time on the river.
AVA’s Buena Vista Gold Coast Outpost is located just over an hour from Summit County and under two and a half hours from Denver, Colorado.
FAQs
Yes, please pack a lunch to enjoy between adventures.
Related Packages
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Rock Climb + Zipline
Immerse yourself in the great outdoors of the Arkansas River Valley with a rock climb + zipline package! This multi-adventure package offers the opportunity [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Not sure yet? Here are some other activities
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 [...]
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 [...]
Mt. Princeton Sunset Ride
See why Colorado is known for its breathtaking sunsets. Being on horseback at sunset is a memory that will last forever. This two hour [...]
Stand Up Paddleboard Half Day
Try the newest, most fun activity on the river – Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)! On this half-day trip, you’ll SUP 5 miles down the [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Cliffside Zipline Half Day
Experience one of the most unique zipline adventures near Denver on our Cliffside Zipline Course in Idaho Springs. Your adventure begins in historic downtown [...]
AVA Blog
Tips for Winter Camping in Colorado
Winter camping in Colorado offers a unique adventure with daytime temperatures averaging 40-45°F and nighttime lows of 10-20°F. The best locations include Rocky Mountain National […]
Is Class V Rafting for You? What to Know Before Booking
Colorado’s class 5 rapids are among the most technical, intense, and scenic in the United States, especially along the Arkansas River just north of Buena […]
Beyond Rafting: Adventures in Colorado You Can’t Miss
Colorado is famous for whitewater, but what about the adventures you’ve never heard of? After 25 years in the outdoors, we’ve discovered some of the […]
