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.

Spend half your day climbing high into the mountainside on our Via Ferrata course. This includes assisted climbing features, ziplines, a rappel, and even a heart-pounding 78-foot freefall! The other half of your day, you’ll paddle through Brown’s Canyon National Monument and experience some of the best rafting in the country on the Arkansas River.

Minimum age: 12, minimum weight: 75 lbs. maximum weight: 250 lbs.

Trip Highlights

2026 Expectations

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.

2026 River Conditions

What to Expect

Trip Resources

Trip Itinerary*

*For some trips, the order of adventures may be switched. Please check your individual booking for exact details.

Getting Here

Who will love this trip?

What to Expect

Related Packages

  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. 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. Browns Canyon Half Day Rafting

    <span style="font-weight: 400;">Browns Canyon half-day rafting trip delivers the perfect blend of family-friendly adventure and thrilling white water action. Paddle through Class III rapids on Colorado's Arkansas River while passing through the stunning granite walls of Browns Canyon National Monument, located just 2.5 hours from Denver and 1.5 hours from Colorado Springs. This 10-mile journey is ideal for first-time rafters, families with children ages 7+, and anyone seeking an accessible yet exciting white water experience.</span>  

  4. 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.

  5. Browns Canyon Half Day + Rock Climb

  6. 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.  

  7. 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. 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.  

  2. Buena Vista Full Suspension Mountain Bike Rental

    Buena Vista sits in one of the best mountain biking zones in Colorado, with more than a hundred miles of singletrack carved into the foothills of the Collegiate Peaks. Rent a full suspension mountain bike from AVA's south main shop and you can be climbing switchbacks or dropping into rock gardens within minutes.

  3. Mt. Princeton Waterfall Ride

    Ride along the scenic Browns Creek approximately 2 hours, taking in beautiful views of waterfalls along the way. The Arkansas Valley holds the most 14,000-foot peaks of anywhere in Colorado; this stunning scenery makes it one of the best places to experience a horseback ride.

  4. Colorado River Float Trip: Scenic Half-Day Adventure

    <span style="font-weight: 400;">A Colorado River float trip is the perfect way to experience the natural beauty of the Gore Range, featuring gentle Class II rapids that are safe and fun for all ages.</span>

  5. 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.

  6. Buena Vista Townie Cruiser Bike Rental

    <p class="font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal" data-sourcepos="15:1-15:272;369-640">Some days call for exploring Buena Vista at an easy pace instead of chasing singletrack. Our Townie Cruiser rentals are electric assist bikes built for cruising downtown, rolling along the river, and getting from breakfast to your next adventure without breaking a sweat.</p>

  7. 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>

  8. 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 River. You'll stand up or kneel on a large, surfboard-shaped board and steer with a long paddle as you navigate down the river. Prepare yourself for falling into the water, as it's highly likely that you'll go for a swim!  

  9. 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!

  10. 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.