Three-Day Ultimate Rafting on the Arkansas River

Advanced Overnight Rafting in Colorado

Raft the best whitewater on the Arkansas River in Buena Vista & Canon City, Colorado!

Experience advanced overnight rafting in Colorado at its best. Paddle all the classic whitewater sections of the Arkansas River for one low price. Run The Numbers, The Narrows, Browns Canyon, Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the Royal Gorge. Also spend one night in a secluded campsite in Browns Canyon and one night at our Riverside Resort where you can enjoy hot showers, sand volleyball, horseshoes and a meal at our Riverside Grill. This overnight trip includes meals, group camping equipment, a personal dry bag and the latest rafting gear. Tents, sleeping bags and sleeping pads are available for rent through River Runners.

Begin your river rafting trip in Buena Vista, Colorado

The River Runners Riverside Rafting Resort is located on the Arkansas River just a short drive from many popular Colorado vacation destinations. After one night in Browns Canyon and one night camping at River Runners – drive 1.5 hours to the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center for the final leg of your ultimate Colorado rafting trip.

River Runners Riverside Rafting Resort 24070 County Road 301 Buena Vista, Colorado 81211

THREE-DAY ADVANCED OVERNIGHT RAFTING TRIP

Know before you book

• Previous whitewater rafting experience recommended, but not required to raft on this overnight rafting trip.
• Participants should be at least 16 years old for this advanced rafting trip (varies with water level).
• All participants should be able to swim and be in good physical condition.
• Risk is involved with all whitewater rafting trips – you and everyone in your party must be willing to accept that risk.
• All participants must read and sign a waiver – minors under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian sign a waiver on their behalf.

Day One – Rafting and Camping in Browns Canyon on the Arkansas River

Includes lunch and dinner.

Start your ultimate overnight whitewater rafting adventure in Buena Vista, Colorado. Meet at the River Runners Riverside Rafting Resort at 8:30 am to check in. After everyone in your group has read and signed the waver and release form you will meet your guide and pack all of your personal camping gear into dry bags. Your gear will be taken to camp by one of our gear boaters who will get everything set up while you are on the river.

Travel a few miles north of Buena Vista to the put-in for The Numbers section of the Arkansas River. After a safety orientation and paddle talk, experience some of Colorado’s most continuous class IV-V whitewater. Stop for a catered riverside lunch prepared by your whitewater river guides, and then continue through The Narrows and into Browns Canyon until you reach your secluded riverside camp. You will have plenty of time to enjoy this remote camping destination. Fish the Arkansas River; hike up a side canyon for a view of the surrounding 14,000 foot peaks, or relax by the camp fire and tell stories of the day’s adventure. Your guides will set up camp, cook, clean, and share their knowledge of the surrounding area’s history, wildlife, and geology. You can just relax and enjoy an evening with family and friends.

Numbers Whitewater Rafting Video

Day Two – Waking up in Browns Canyon and Rafting the Arkansas River

Includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Morning will bring the smell of brewing hot coffee and breakfast. Relax or explore while your guides clean up, tear down the kitchen, and load the gear onto the rafts. Enjoy another day on the Arkansas River in Browns Canyon with some of the best class III whitewater in Colorado. After another full day of rafting you will be transported back to River Runners Riverside Resort in Buena Vista, Colorado. Here you can take a hot shower, play sand volleyball, and enjoy a meal at our Riverside Bar & Grill. You can also go for a soak at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort just 5 minutes away – be sure to ask about our discounted hot springs tickets.

Browns Canyon Whitewater Rafting Video

Day Three – Rafting The Royal Gorge on the Arkansas River

Includes breakfast and lunch.

The next morning you will be up early and served breakfast. Then drive your own vehicle down to our Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City. Here you’ll enjoy another full day of rafting Bighorn Sheep Canyon and the world-famous Royal Gorge. River Runners will transport you back to your car by 4:00 pm. This trip can depart any day of the week as long as you have at least four people in your group. Please call to join an existing trip.

Royal Gorge Whitewater Rafting Video

Rafting the Royal Gorge on 3 Day Colorado overnight whitewater rafting trip on the Arkansas River

What to Wear Rafting in Colorado

Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your rafting trip departure time

You should wear synthetic fabric clothing (avoid cotton), sandals that strap around your foot or an old pair of tennis shoes, a hat, a strap for your eye glasses or sun glasses (available for purchase), quick dry swimsuits or board shorts.

Wetsuits, splash tops and booties are available for rent at River Runners.

Apply plenty of sunscreen and reapply throughout the day.

Guides, rafts, PFDs, helmets and paddles are included.