10 miles and 7 Class III rapids through a national monument. The most popular trip on the Arkansas.
Numbers Full-Day Rafting: Class IV and The Narrows
$189 per person
Trip Type
Rafting
Activity Level
Challenging
River Section
The Numbers
✓ Book online until
18 hours before departure if no one is booked yet; 3 hours before if the departure already has bookings
Overview
The Numbers Full Day is a Class IV rafting trip that combines the classic Numbers run with The Narrows. It covers 12 to 14 miles in 5 to 6 hours, leaves at 9:00 am and runs May 14 to August 15.
You'll start with the Numbers, the local paddlers' go-to: technical, nonstop Class IV at lower flows, and big waves and powerful hydraulics when the water is up. Then your guides set up lunch on the riverbank.
The afternoon brings even more action through The Narrows, a tight, technical section of the Arkansas, before you finish with a bang in the playspots and wave features of the Buena Vista Whitewater Park.
Who it's for
Experienced rafters and big-water groups, from bachelor parties to repeat customers who've done Browns.
Highlights
- The Numbers, The Narrows and the Buena Vista Whitewater Park
- Riverside lunch included
- 12–14 miles of Class IV
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
- The Numbers, The Narrows and the Buena Vista whitewater park
- Riverside lunch included
- 12–14 miles of Class IV
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 shuttle to the put-in for a safety talk from your guide.
- Wetsuit and splash jacket at no charge, plus a helmet and life jacket
- Departs at 9:00 am
- Ages 14 and up
2The Numbers, then lunch
2
The Numbers, then lunch
Start with the Numbers: technical, nonstop Class IV at lower flows, and big waves and powerful hydraulics when the water is up. Then your guides set up lunch on the riverbank.
- Riverside lunch made by your guides
- Tell us about any dietary needs
3The Narrows and back
3
The Narrows and back
The afternoon brings a tight, technical run through The Narrows, then a finish in the play waves of the Buena Vista Whitewater Park. The shuttle brings you back to the outpost.
- 12 to 14 miles of Class IV in all
- About 5 to 6 hours in total
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
- Riverside lunch made by your guides
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 water bottle (we bring extra water)
- A strap (chums) if you wear sunglasses
- Any medication you need, like an EpiPen or inhaler
- Leave your phone in the car. We don't recommend phones on this stretch
- Tell us about dietary needs (vegetarian, gluten-free) when you book
- A towel and dry clothes to leave at the shop for after
Water levels & Season
Season
🌊
May 14, 2027
– August 15, 2027
Departures
⛅
9:00 am
At lower flows the Numbers is technical: tight lines, rocks and precise moves. When the water comes up, it turns into big waves and powerful holes.
At peak high water (usually mid-June) the Numbers can close to commercial trips. We'll let you know.
Guest Reviews
View all reviewsFAQ
Common questions about this trip.
What does the full day add to the Numbers?
After seven miles of nonstop Class IV and lunch on the riverbank, you'll run The Narrows and finish in the waves of the Buena Vista whitewater park. It's 12 to 14 miles in 5 to 6 hours.
What time does the Numbers full day leave?
9:00 am, May 14 to August 15.
How many people do we need to book?
It needs 4 people to run if nobody else has booked yet. If the trip already has bookings, you can join with 1.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You'll wear a life jacket the whole time, so you don't need to be a strong swimmer on Beginner and Intermediate trips. Advanced trips require strong swimming ability.
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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