Buena Vista is Spanish for “good view,” and this small town in the Rocky Mountains offers that and so much more. This picturesque place is centrally located in Colorado and sits at the bottom of the Arkansas River valley between 2 towering mountain ranges. Buena Vista, CO is an adventure lover’s paradise and offers some of the best rafting experiences in the state. The Arkansas River runs right through town and has incredible access for visitors looking for Buena Vista whitewater rafting tours. The Performance Tours Rafting Buena Vista outpost sits right below beautiful Mt. Princeton and offers half day and full day raft trips on the Arkansas River.
Experience Thrilling Rafting in Browns Canyon National Monument! Join Performance Tours for a wet n’ wild adventure through Colorado’s most popular whitewater rafting trip, featuring exciting class 3+ rapids and picturesque scenery.
Big Views with Small Splashes! Upper Bear Creek is a great family option for a Colorado rafting trip near Buena Vista.
This is a great adrenaline pumping river trip for anyone in good physical condition looking for an exciting, scenic, and challenging whitewater adventure!
For more than 30 years, Performance Tours Rafting have been offering incredible Buena Vista whitewater rafting trips for guests in Colorado! We strive to provide great trips with our talented guides and friendly customer service. Our expert, professional raft guides prioritize guest safety, and are dedicated to providing the best Colorado river rafting experiences possible. Our Buena Vista outpost is located just two and a half hours southwest of Denver, and it is surrounded by gorgeous scenery, loads of outdoor fun, and lots of adventure-loving people. If you are looking for a whitewater rafting outfitter in Buena Vista, Colorado, choose Performance Tours.
Browns Canyon National Monument showcases some of the best whitewater rafting Buena Vista has to offer. The Browns Canyon area was recently designated a national monument, so you will be surrounded by nothing but mountain views, wildlife, and crisp mountain air as you paddle down this section of the river. This exciting section of the Arkansas River flows through amazing rapids like Pinball, Zoomflume, Bigdrop, Staircase, Punchbowl, and other remarkable sections of the river. This trip is perfect for every level of adventurer, leaving your group with unforgettable memories.
Located just down the road from the Performance Tours outpost, between Buena Vista and Salida, Bear Creek is a mellow section of the Arkansas River, offering an amazing experience for those looking for adventure on a smaller scale. It is a great option for families, young children, and those looking to take in the scenery as they float down the river with mild rapids. There is an upper creek half-day and lower creek full-day option on this stretch of water. Come enjoy the fun!
The Numbers is one of our favorite stretches of river, with action-packed whitewater around every bend. It involves the most rigorous paddling of our Buena Vista whitewater rafting tours and is a great option for those looking for a heart-pumping, scenic, and challenging adventure. The minimum age for this trip is 16 years and over during peak flows and is sometimes lowered to 14 years and older when the river is at lower levels. This section of thrilling rapids has half-day and full-day options available.
Buena Vista offers some of the best family-friendly rafting in Colorado, with exciting yet approachable rapids and stunning scenery. Top trips like Browns Canyon National Monument and Bighorn Sheep Canyon provide the perfect mix of adventure and safety for all ages.
For adventure seekers, Buena Vista delivers some of Colorado's most intense whitewater rafting on the legendary Numbers section of the Arkansas River. This thrilling stretch offers nonstop Class IV rapids and technical challenges for experienced paddlers.
For families with young kids, Bear Creek near Buena Vista offers the best gentle rafting experience with calm waters and beautiful scenery. It’s a safe, relaxing family float perfect for introducing little ones to the river.
Buena Vista Office
Arkansas River
Browns Canyon, Numbers, Bear Creek
Buena Vista Office
115 Gregg Dr.
Buena Vista, CO 81211
Breckenridge Office
Sales Office Only
Breckenridge Office
107 Ski Hill Rd.
Breckenridge, CO 80424
Royal Gorge Office
Arkansas River
Royal Gorge, Bighorn Sheep Canyon
Royal Gorge Office
0193 County Road 3A
Canon City, CO 81212
Meet your raft guide
Hometown: Greenfield, WI
Professional Raft Guide Since 1997
Greg's Whitewater Pro Tip:
"Focus on your paddling technique while whitewater rafting in Colorado, keeping your strokes consistent for better control. Don't hesitate to ask your raft guide questions. And take a moment to soak in the stunning mountain scenery - not just the rapids ahead!"
With so many great activities in Buena Vista, CO, it is an outdoor paradise year-round. In summer, enjoy thrilling whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, hiking, biking, and more. Downtown offers shops, galleries, and dining, while natural hot springs provide relaxation. Winter brings nearby skiing and snowshoeing. Experience adventure, culture, and stunning mountain views in Buena Vista.
The best time to raft in Buena Vista, Colorado is typically from May to August when snowmelt from the mountains increases water levels, providing optimal conditions for whitewater rafting.
The Arkansas River offers excellent whitewater rafting in Buena Vista in Browns Canyon National Monument, Numbers and more. Another popular area to raft the Arkansas River is in the Royal Gorge near Canon City, CO.
The Arkansas River runs near Buena Vista, Colorado.
There is plenty of free parking at the Performance Tours Buena Vista location.
Buena Vista is just over an hour fromBreckenridge. The drive is through some of Colorado’s most historic mining towns with breathtaking scenery
Our most popular rafting trip, Browns Canyon, departs from the Buena Vista office which is located at the base of the majestic Collegiate Peaks mountain range.
The office is located at 115 Gregg Dr. Buena Vista Co 8121.
When we’re off the clock and hungry, these are the top food spots our raft guides actually hit in Buena Vista.
Our Guides’ Favorite Restaurants in Buena Vista:
Local Tip (Dining): Grab a to-go sandwich from Sorelle Delicatessen and head down to Buena Vista Whitewater Park. Lunch tastes better when you’re watching kayakers throw down in the play wave.
Most of our guides stay on property at Performance Tours during the season—but when friends and family come to town, these are the places we recommend.
Local Tip (Lodging): Dispersed sites next to the Arkansas River along CR 371 are first-come, first-served and fill fast on summer weekends—arrive midweek if you want the prime riverside spots.
When we’re not guiding, here’s how we recharge, explore, and enjoy the valley.
Our Guides’ Favorite Things To Do on a Day Off in Buena Vista
Local Tip (Things To Do): For a perfect BV evening, soak in the river at Mount Princeton Hot Springs, then head into town for live music at The Lariat or a show on the lawn at Surf Hotel—that combo is hard to beat.
