10 miles and 7 Class III rapids through a national monument. The most popular trip on the Arkansas.
Browns Canyon Rafting: Half-Day Trip from Salida
$109 per person
Trip Type
Rafting
Activity Level
Moderate
River Section
Browns Canyon
✓ Book online until
3 hours before departure
Overview
The Browns Canyon ½ Day is a Class III rafting trip through Browns Canyon National Monument. It covers 10 miles and 7 Class III rapids in 3 hours, with four departures a day from May 1 to August 15.
Browns Canyon is one of Colorado's most celebrated stretches of whitewater: granite walls, rugged boulder formations and remote mountain scenery, with no roads in. You'll run rapids like Pinball, Zoom Flume, The Staircase, Widow Maker and Raft Ripper, and you will get wet.
Between rapids, the water calms down so you can catch your breath, look for wildlife and take in the canyon. Afterward, head back to the outpost to change and check out the photos from your trip.
Who it's for
First-timers and returning rafters alike. It's the trip everyone talks about, and the most popular one on the Arkansas.
Highlights
- 7 Class III rapids, including Zoom Flume and Widow Maker
- Browns Canyon National Monument, no roads in
- Four departures a day
Trip Highlights
What's Included
- Your river guide
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Helmet and life jacket
- Shuttle to the put-in and back to the shop
What to Expect
- 7 Class III rapids, including Zoom Flume and Widow Maker
- Browns Canyon National Monument, no roads in
- Four departures a day
Your day, step by step
1Check in and gear up
1
Check in and gear up
Check in at our outpost at 7330 US-50 in Salida, finish your online waiver and get fitted for your gear. Then hang out on the back patio until it's time to load the shuttle.
- Wetsuit and splash jacket at no charge, plus a helmet and life jacket
- Departures at 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm
2Raft Browns Canyon
2
Raft Browns Canyon
It's a 20 to 30 minute ride to the put-in, and your guide gives the safety talk on the way. Then it's 10 miles and 7 Class III rapids through Browns Canyon National Monument, with no roads in.
- Pinball, Zoom Flume, The Staircase, Widow Maker and Raft Ripper
- Calm stretches between rapids to catch your breath and look for wildlife
- You will get wet
3Back at the outpost
3
Back at the outpost
Ride back to the outpost to change, dry off and check out the photos from your trip.
- About 3 hours in total
- Bring a towel and dry clothes for after
What's Included
Included
- Your river guide
- Wetsuit and splash jacket
- Helmet and life jacket
- Shuttle to the put-in and back to the shop
Not Included
- Trip photos
- Guide tip
- Water shoes
- Sunglass strap (chums)
- Sunscreen
- Drinking water
- We sell photos, water shoes, chums, sunscreen and water at the shop
What to Bring
- Quick-dry clothes like a sun shirt and board shorts, or leggings (comfier than swimsuit bottoms on the raft). No cotton
- Early season: a wool or synthetic layer to wear under your wetsuit
- Shoes that stay on your feet: water shoes, sandals with a heel strap or old sneakers. No flip-flops
- Sunscreen and a bottle of water
- A strap (chums) if you wear sunglasses
- Any medication you need, like an EpiPen or inhaler
- Your phone only at your own risk, in a waterproof pouch. Leave it behind at high water
- A towel and dry clothes to leave at the shop for after
Water levels & Season
Season
🌊
May 1, 2027
– August 15, 2027
Departures
⛅
8:30 am, 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:00 pm
At high water, usually in June, Browns runs 12-foot waves and gets serious. By July it settles into the classic summer run.
Guest Reviews
View all reviewsFAQ
Common questions about this trip.
Which rapids will we run in Browns Canyon?
Seven Class III rapids, including Pinball, Zoom Flume, The Staircase, Widow Maker and Raft Ripper.
How long is the drive to the Browns Canyon put-in?
About 20 to 30 minutes from the shop.
How many departures are there each day?
Four: 8:30 am, 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:00 pm, May 1 to August 15.
Should we book the half day or the full day?
The half day covers 10 miles and 7 rapids and gets you back by lunch. The full day runs the whole canyon with a riverside lunch and an optional side-canyon hike, for $50 more.
Will I get wet?
On Beginner trips, a little. On Intermediate and Advanced trips, yes. That's why wetsuits and splash jackets are included.
Which trip is right for my group?
Go with the least experienced person in the group. Beginner trips are calm, Intermediate trips have real rapids, and Advanced trips are for experienced rafters. Still stuck? Call us at (719) 626-1350. We want you on the trip you're supposed to be on.
What should I wear?
Quick-dry clothes like a sun shirt and board shorts. Lots of women find leggings comfier than swimsuit bottoms on the raft. Skip cotton. Early season, add a wool or synthetic layer under the wetsuit and splash jacket we give you. Wear shoes that stay on your feet: water shoes, sandals with a heel strap or old sneakers. No flip-flops.
What if it rains?
We raft rain or shine. You're going to get wet anyway. We'll only cancel for lightning or unsafe conditions.
What's your cancellation policy?
Cancel 72 hours or more before your trip for a full refund. Inside 72 hours, there's no refund.
Can I change my date?
Free if it's 72 hours or more before your trip. Inside 72 hours, you can pick a new date and time in the same calendar year, if space is available, for a $10 rebooking fee ($100 per person for overnights).
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