group rafting on the upper colorado river
Exciting & Active

Buena Vista Raft + Bike Package

Spend your morning in the rapids of the Arkansas River and your afternoon exploring Buena Vista’s river roads and high-country trails on a premium e-bike. One day, two ways to take in the Collegiate Peaks.

 

The Highlights Of Your Trip

Raft the Arkansas, then Ride the Valley

Mix and match your rafting run and your bike. Every booking includes a half-day on the river and a half-day in the saddle.

Book this trip

1

How much

Pricing

From $140

From $130

2

What's included

Activities

  • Rafting
  • Bike Rentals
3

Trip Length

Duration

Full Day, no lunch included

4

How Hard

Difficulty

Exciting & Active
5

Who can go

Minimum Age

13 years old & Up

Trip Highlights

A. Choose Your Raft

Both trips launch from our Buena Vista outpost and run a half day on the Arkansas. Pick the one that matches your crew.

Browns Canyon Half Day

Class II–III · Family friendly

Colorado’s most popular whitewater run, set inside Browns Canyon National Monument. Splashy, scenic, and approachable for first-timers and families looking for a fun introduction to the river.

The Numbers Half Day

Class III–IV · Exciting & active

A faster-paced, more technical stretch of the Arkansas with continuous rapids and a steeper gradient. Built for guests who want a bigger adrenaline hit before they swap the paddle for a handlebar.

B. Choose Your Bike

Both rentals come from our premium e-bike fleet and include a helmet. Ride into the mountains or along the river, your call.

Full Suspension MTB

Trail & Backcountry

The Haibike ALLMTN 3 is the perfect all-rounder for any terrain. With 160mm of suspension travel, 4-piston Shimano disc brakes, and a powerful Bosch Performance CX Gen 4 motor, this e-mountain bike impresses even on demanding trails. Mixed wheel sizes, 29″ up front, 27.5″ in back, deliver comfortable rolling behavior and confident traction, so you can take on Buena Vista’s steepest climbs and descents with ease.

The Townie

River Road & Scenic Cruising

Looking to enjoy the scenic river roads or take in the stunning vistas of Buena Vista? This is your bike. Equipped with a Bosch power drive system for a smooth, powerful ride, the Townie’s low crossbar height makes for easy on-and-off access, and the frame can be tailored to fit riders of all sizes. Embrace the beauty of Buena Vista in comfort and style.

C. Trip Itinerary

Here’s a sample day (exact check-in times are confirmed with your booking).

8:30 AM — Check in

Meet your guide at AVA’s Buena Vista outpost. Get fitted for rafting gear and run through a safety briefing before heading to the put-in.

Morning — On the water

Launch onto your chosen stretch of the Arkansas River, Browns Canyon for scenic Class II–III rapids, or the Numbers for a faster-paced Class III–IV run. Either way, you’re surrounded by the Collegiate Peaks the whole way down.

Midday — Switch gears

Return to base, dry off, grab lunch in downtown Buena Vista, and pick up your e-bike (the Full Suspension MTB for trail riding or the Townie for a relaxed cruise).

Afternoon — On two wheels

Head out on your own pace. Climb into the surrounding trails on the MTB, or roll along the river roads and through town on the Townie, soaking in the mountain views until you’re ready to call it a day.

What to Expect on Your Buena Vista Raft + Bike Adventure

group intensely paddling into the river's spray

Who Will Love This Trip?

Active couples

A whitewater run in the morning and a scenic ride in the afternoon (two distinct ways to experience the valley in a single day).

Trail riders

Pair the Numbers with the Full Suspension MTB for a high-output day that ends with real singletrack in the Arkansas Valley’s backcountry.

Families & first-timers

Browns Canyon plus the Townie makes for an approachable, guided introduction to both rafting and e-biking with no prior experience needed.

Scenery seekers

Buena Vista sits in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks. This package puts you in the middle of that view from the river and from the saddle.

Groups & reunions

Mixed-ability groups can split between raft trips and bike styles while still finishing the day together.

Visitors with limited time

Fit two signature Buena Vista adventures into a single full day, guided and outfitted start to finish.

Mountain Biking Near Idaho Springs, Colorado.

Included Gear

Provided by AVA

  • Personal flotation device (PFD)
  • Rafting helmet
  • Wetsuit & splash jacket
  • Paddle
  • E-bike rental & bike helmet
Wildlife in Buena Vista Colorado

What To Bring

  • Secure, closed-toe shoes (no flip flops)
  • Quick-dry clothing or swimwear
  • Sunscreen & sunglasses
  • Water bottle
  • Cash to tip your raft guide & bike staff

 

Trip Location

Rafters on smooth waters.

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 river float trips 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

Browns Canyon is a Class II–III run best suited to families and first-time rafters who want a scenic, splashy introduction to whitewater. The Numbers is a Class III–IV stretch with more continuous, technical rapids for guests who want a bigger adrenaline hit. Our team can help you decide based on your group’s experience and appetite for whitewater.

If you want to climb into the backcountry or ride real trail, go with the Full Suspension MTB. If you’d rather cruise the river roads and take in the views of Buena Vista at an easy pace, the Townie is built for that.

No — there’s a built-in window between the raft trip and your bike pickup to grab lunch in downtown Buena Vista before heading out for the afternoon.

No prior experience is required for Browns Canyon or for either bike. The Numbers is more demanding, so some rafting experience is helpful but not mandatory — guides will brief everyone before launch.

Age minimums depend on which raft trip you choose and current river flows. Contact our Buena Vista team for current age and weight requirements for Browns Canyon and the Numbers.

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