Browns Canyon became a national monument for a reason — it's one of the most scenic and unspoiled stretches of the Arkansas River. Class 3+ rapids like Pinball, Bigdrop, and Zoomflume keep you on your toes, and the 14,000-foot peaks framing the canyon make it hard to look anywhere but up between runs.
Browns Canyon is where most people fall in love with the Arkansas River — the current is honest, the scenery earns your attention, and the rapids give you just enough to talk about at dinner. It works whether it's your first time in a raft or your fifteenth.
We run Browns Canyon white water rafting tours as a half-day trip and a full-day trip. The half-day covers the heart of the monument — the classic stretch most people picture when they think of Colorado rafting. The full day adds more river, more canyon, and a delicious riverside lunch.
9:15 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:45 PM
Complimentary wetsuits, booties, and splash jackets
Professional guides with extensive safety training
Cancel 72 hours in advance for a full refund
Happiest guests on the river since 1986
Hit the Road for Scenic Delights. Buena Vista, CO is Less than 100 Miles from Top Tourist Hotspots!
Breckenridge:
1hr 15 mins
Vail:
1hr 30 mins
Colorado Springs:
1hr 45 mins
Denver:
1 hr 30 mins
This trip meets in Buena Vista 45 minutes prior to departure time. Guest arrival time is indicated on your reservation confirmation. There is no need to arrive earlier. Once you have arrived at the office in Buena Vista, CO, Performance Tours will provide all shuttles.
We have ample parking at the Performance Tours Rafting office for whitewater rafting guests in Buena Vista, CO.
Performance Tours will provide transportation from the meeting location/office to the river, and back to the office where your vehicle is parked following the trip.
Performance Tours provides changing rooms at all our full-service offices in Buena Vista, Canon City, and Frisco, CO. Our facilities are clean, comfortable, and designed to enhance your experience.
5.0
2550+ reviews
5.0
355+ reviews
Meet your raft guide
Hometown: Lexington, SC
Professional Raft Guide Since 2024
"My favorite trip to guide is Brown's Canyon because of it's remoteness in the canyon and how fun the rapids are. You have time to enjoy and see the scenery while also paddling some epic rapids. My favorite rapid in Browns Canyon is the staircase!"
For the Half Day Browns Canyon National Monument Rafting Trip, we recommend dressing in comfortable, quick-drying clothing such as a swimsuit and shorts. Protective footgear like wet shoes or sneakers that you don't mind getting wet are also essential. Additionally, we suggest bringing sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun's rays. On cooler days, consider wearing a fleece or performance fabric shirt for added warmth. For the Browns Canyon rafting trip, we provide optional complimentary wetsuits, booties, and whitewater splash jackets to ensure your comfort and safety. These items will help keep you comfortable throughout the adventure. We also recommend bringing a dry change of clothes for after the trip, as you may get wet during the rafting experience.
The half day Browns Canyon National Monument rafting trip is a very family-friendly Colorado rafting trip! The recommended minimum age for rafting in Browns Canyon is 7 years old and at least 50 pounds. We evaluate flows daily and may adjust the minimum age due to current conditions.
The Half Day Browns Canyon National Monument Rafting Trip typically lasts around 4 hours in total. Expect to spend approximately 2 hours on the river enjoying the exhilarating rapids of Browns Canyon.
Colorado’s most experienced rafting outfitter since 1986.
Who Is Performance Tours? 
