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All 21 Buena Vista Attractions »

Arkansas Valley Adventures (AVA) Colorado Rafting

8 rivers at multiple Colorado locations, 40671 US Hwy 24 N, Buena Vista, CO 81211
800-370-0581
Ranked #6 of 12 tours in Buena Vista
4.5 of 5 stars 77 Reviews
Type: Bodies of Water, Tours
Owner description: World-class Colorado rafting trips on 8 rivers for all ages and abilities, zipline tours and rock climbing on our 44-acre mountain property. Offering...... more » Owner description: World-class Colorado rafting trips on 8 rivers for all ages and abilities, zipline tours and rock climbing on our 44-acre mountain property. Offering great trip discounts every day on our award-winning website: just click the red Trip Discounts button on our home page. Plus free wetsuits and splash jackets on AVA-run trips. Colorado rafting trips only 30 minutes from Denver and 1 hour from Breckenridge, Keystone, Vail, Aspen, Winter Park, Steamboat. Also join us for cabins, camping, horseback riding, fly fishing and more. « less
Useful Information: Activities for older children, Activities for young children
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77 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Phoenix, Arizona
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 14, 2012

Our family, consisting of 2 young teens and 3 adults took a half day rafting trip in Brown's Canyon. None of us had ever been rafting and I was a bit nervous as I had heard of accidents but WOW, was this a great experience! From the start, we noticed that this outfit had their act together with the team... More

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Dallas, Texas
Senior Contributor
21 reviews 21 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 9, 2012

I found a better price to WWR at a competetor so we ended up going with another company but we did stay in their cabins. $25/person/night. We asked for the "best" cabin (not sure if there was one) but when we got there we did get the "best". Comfy bed, microwave, small fridge, fireplace; what a wonderful escape from city... More

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See 2 more reviews by K Z for Buena Vista
Omaha, Nebraska
Top Contributor
52 reviews 52 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 31, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Terrific rafting, experienced guides, and a whole lot of fun! This is really the way to experience this beautiful river - be sure you use the sunscreen - especially on your thighs! You'll be sitting on the edge of the boats, and at this altitude you'll burn to a crisp if you arne't prepared! More

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Denver, Colorado
Top Contributor
80 reviews 80 reviews
Reviews in 34 cities Reviews in 34 cities
30 helpful votes 30 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 13, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

Drive from Denver to Buena Vista for rafting! We visited the brown's canyon to raft in the Arkansa river justa few days before its closing for winter. It was great fun with the enthusiatic group. The river water is not at all deep may 4 feet deep the most. The rapids were said to be class 3, which has prepared... More

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Boulder, Colorado
1 review
4 of 5 stars Reviewed November 3, 2011

Rafting is a great idea for group trips. I went to Clear Creek with friends from work and we had a blast! Although we were one of the last trips of the season, the river was still running fast enough for some thrills and spills. The weather was great, the scenery was awesome and our guides were super friendly. Can't... More

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Springfield, MO
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
1 of 5 stars Reviewed September 15, 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We were scheduled Sept 5th at 9:30 am to raft. Our car broke down on Sept 4th around 9:00 pm in Sadilia, 1 hour away from AVA on Labor Day. Nothing was open to even rent a car. We were charged the full amount of the rafting trip because we could not get there. The car breaking down was totally... More

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Alison Mathes, Manager at Arkansas Valley Adventures (AVA) Colorado Rafting, responded to this review
September 17, 2011

Dear Thelma, Thank you for your comments. We are sorry that things did not turn out the way you wanted them to. Unfortunately, when we have a cancellation so close to the trip time we have already lined up a vehicle, driver, guide, food and other support staff. We have prepared for your trip and incurred costs before your arrival.... More

Rapid City, South Dakota
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 12, 2011

White water rafting was a blast. Our guide Squirrel was awesome. The water was a little low and we got stuck on a few rocks. Next year I am going in June or July when the water is higher, and am definitely using AVA again. More

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West Suffield, Connecticut
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 11, 2011

AVA is the best rafting company I've ever experienced! The guides kept us safe and prepared, but are hilarious too! Our raft ended up getting stuck on a huge boulder, but Brian (our guide) stayed calm and got us all safely to the edge. It was definitely an adventure! Beautiful scenery too...a true panoramic view of Colorado. More

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Baltimore
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 10, 2011

WE took a half day rafting trip with AVA.We were fitted with life jackets,helmets and if you wanted splash jackets (take the jacket).We headed off to the put in area.the guides were organized and professional (our guide was called Fish).Good instruction on how to paddle,leaning in to prevent raft flip,etc.The part of the Arkansas river we did had level 3... More

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See 3 more reviews by Surrfred for Buena Vista
Pepperell, Massachusetts
1 review
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed September 10, 2011
2
people found this review helpful

That was our first experience white water rafting. We had a blast and would do it again. we sat in the front of the boat and got soaked but it was worth it and we'll be talking about it for years to come More

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