The Arkansas River has some of the best whitewater in the United States.

A River runs through it...

The Arkansas River is the lifeblood that runs through Chaffee County and the Colorado high country. It's a source of recreation, habitat for wildlife, and livelihood for many people. The river and it's supporting tributaries run through downtown Buena Vista, and each year from May through August is the high season. BV is known as a destination for world-class whitewater in Colorado. This section of the Arkansas River is some of the most accessible whitewater in the US, making if perfect for families and experts alike.

Guided group rafting tours operate each year as the spring snowmelt begins to be released upstream. The rapids on the Arkansas range from Class 1 to Class 5, depending upon which tour you take.  Some of the raft operators in BV include:     

• Performance Tours Rafting
• Noah's Ark Rafting
• Wilderness Aware Rafting
• Brown's Canyon Rafting
• River Runners at Brown's Canyon.

For those with experience, there are speciality companies such as Colorado Kayak Supply (CKS) and the Trailhead that can outfit you with whatever gear you need.