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 ride allows you to see the vistas that make the Arkansas Valley so renowned for its scenery.

The sunsets in this valley are like none other–don’t forget your camera! No experience necessary. Minimum Age 5 years old. All children will ride their own horse.

Trip Highlights

What to Expect

Half-day whitewater adventure on the Arkansas River
Approximately 9-10 miles on the river
Rafting through Browns Canyon National Monument
Wildlife sightings and stunning scenery
Intermediate family-friendly whitewater on class III rapids

Trip Itinerary

Arrive at our Buena Vista outpost, check-in, and meet with your guide to gear up for your adventure
Ride our shuttle to the river, where your guide will brief you on basic paddling techniques
Hit the water and spend either the morning or afternoon navigating the Arkansas River, conquering class III rapids including Zoom, Flume, and Pinball
Paddle through a national monument
Return to the outpost review photos captured during your trip

Who will love this trip?

Families looking for an exciting yet calmer whitewater experience
Nature lovers hoping to appreciate Colorado’s best scenery
Groups with children ages 7 and older

Related Packages

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.
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.
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.
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!
Browns Canyon Half Day Rafting

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.

Not sure yet? Here are some other activities

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

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.
Scenic Float Full Day

Experience the natural beauty of the Colorado River on our Full Day Upper Colorado Full Day Scenic Float trip! You’ll paddle a gently flowing section of the Colorado River that is inviting to all ages, encountering a few small class II rapids, as you wind through the Gore Range and mountain ranch land.
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.
Walk & Wade Fly Fishing Trip

Explore the incredible waters of the Upper Colorado River with a knowledgeable fishing guide. It doesn't matter if it's your first-time fishing or you're a seasoned angler, this trip is fit for all levels of experience.
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.
Buena Vista Townie Cruiser Bike Rental

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.
Starlight & Full Moon Zipline

Join us for one of the most exciting and popular Colorado mountain summer adventures - ziplining! The starlight zipline adventure allows you to experience AVA's same cliffside zipline course after dark, with the moonlight zipline taking place under a full moon.
Rock Climb Half Day

Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery while our guides cover the basics of belaying, rappelling, and setting anchors. Whether you’re looking to learn more about rock climbing or trying it for the first time this is a perfect trip for you!
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!
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!
Gold Rush Clear Creek Rafting Adventure

Splash down the Clear Creek mining valley on our 1/3 day Gold Rush trip. Just a short half-hour trip from Denver, this family-friendly rafting adventure offers a fun outdoor adventure that everyone in your group will enjoy.
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!