Aspen White Water Rafting
A short journey from Aspen to the Arkansas River Valley offers access to some of the most well known and best white water rafting trips in Colorado. The journey requires a 1 hour and 30 minute drive over Independence Pass to Buena Vista, Colorado where 35 miles of ratable whitewater on the Brown’s Canyon National Monument and Numbers rafting sections awaits.
Brown’s Canyon is Colorado’s premier family-friendly white water rafting trip, featuring 13 miles of splashy Class II and III rapids. This adventure is a must-do for ages 7 and up, with ½-day, full-day, and overnight options available. For guests ages 15 and older, The Numbers offers a marquee whitewater experience – 7 miles of nearly continuous Class III and IV rapids that promise a plethora of excitement. The Numbers can also be paired with The Royal Gorge for a multi-day expedition, combining two of Colorado’s most iconic high-adventure rafting runs into one unforgettable trip.
The scenic drive from Aspen over Independence pass is not one to miss! The ascent begins almost immediately, heading south east on HWY 82 from Aspen. Following the head waters of the roaring fork river the drive reveals unparalleled views of Maroon Bells. These jagged summits have proved infamous, conquered by only the most talented mountaineering connoisseurs. The pass summits at 2,095ft crossing the continental divide before descending the Eastern Slope of the Sawatch Mountain Range and down into the Arkansas River Valley. While there are other white water rafting options closer to Aspen, rafting the Arkansas River is the best option as it packages a traverse of the most scenic mountain pass in Colorado with extraordinary whitewater in a wilderness river setting resting beneath 14,000ft mountain peaks.
Other white water rafting options around Aspen
The roaring fork offers some class II and III rafting options a 30 minute drive northwest of Aspen. Through the town itself, the river is more of a stream as the Aspen area is still generally the river’s headwaters. Below the town additional drainages quickly increase the river’s volume providing appropriate volume for rafting. However, its free flowing nature results in an early run off season with optimal flows usually fading by the end of June.
Continue down HWY 85 another 30 minutes to the town of Glenwood Springs, about 1 hour northwest of Aspen. Here the roaring fork meets the mighty Colorado River. Supplemental reservoir supplies keep rafting flows all year round here. A few minutes east up 1-70 the Colorado river provides a popular Class II and III stretch that runs along the interstate commonly referred to as “Shoshone” named after a hydroelectric power plant near the put-in.
Trip Options
Arkansas River Daily Rafting Trips
Arkansas River
Get ready to experience the best of Colorado on a Brown’s Canyon half-day trip. This family-friendly adventure rushes you down the Arkansas River and through Browns Canyon National Monument on exciting yet mellower class III rapids.
Arkansas River
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 deli style lunch.
Arkansas River
The quintessential Colorado whitewater rafting experience. If you are an experienced rafter looking to take it to the next level or an adventurous beginner up for a new challenge, the Numbers rafting trip is the perfect exhilarating adventure.
Arkansas River
The full-day Numbers rafting trip is packed full with some of the most famous Class III-IV rapids on the Arkansas river, and includes a riverside deli style lunch.
Arkansas River Multi Day Rafting Trips
Browns Canyon National Monument
Numbers & Royal Gorge
This 2-day high adventure rafting trip goes through two of the most popular white water sections on the Arkansas River: the Numbers and the Royal Gorge. Tackle challenging Class IV-V rapids two days in a row!
Browns Canyon, Numbers, & Royal Gorge
The ultimate 3-day Colorado white water rafting adventure combines the intermediate Browns Canyon section with the infamous Numbers and Royal Gorge Sections. Three action-packed days of white water!
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Payments & Cancellations
Payment Options
- 1/2 down, 1/2 charged 30 days prior to trip.
- 1/3 down with remaining balance charged in thirds.
- Call for other arrangements!
Free Courtesy Hold
We don’t want you to miss out on this trip so we’ll hold your spots, payment-free, for 24hrs while you make your final arrangements & prepare for payment.
Fees
In addition to the listed trip cost, we collect an additional 9% for River and Land Access Fees (ie. Forest Service, BLM, City, Private Land Use).
Cancellation Policy
Daily Trips:
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Receive a 90% refund with written notice 36 hours or more before the trip. Less notice, no refund.
Multi-Day Trips:
- 60+ days: Receive a refund less $200 per person unrecoverable fees.
- 45+ days: Reschedule for another trip/date, or receive Mild to Wild gift certificate less $200 per person.
- Less than 45 days, unfortunately there will be no refund. Substitutions/name changes are allowed.
- RoamRight Travel Insurance is recommended to help cover unforeseen circumstances, such as cancelled flights, sickness or medical evacuations.
- Guests needing to be evacuated from the canyon will be charged a minimum of $1,000 per person.
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Meet Location & Directions
- Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours
- 970-247-4789
- 40671 US-24, Buena Vista, CO 81211
- Get Directions