All About the Arkansas River

The Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River, is 1,469 miles long and is the sixth longest river in the United States.

It starts as just a patch of melting snow in Leadville, Colorado, a city rich in mining history and famous for its 10,200-foot elevation. The Ark, as locals call it, gains momentum as it flows past some of the biggest mountains in Colorado, benefiting from their abundant snowmelt in the spring and summer.

From its headwaters, the Arkansas River deliver more than 100 miles of whitewater, making it the most popular river for rafting in the American West. The river’s appeal lies in its wide variety of trips and easy accessibility.

KODI Rafting’s Arkansas River raft trips range from mild, scenic floats to world famous class III to class IV whitewater. Our most popular Arkansas River trips take guest through the gorgeous Browns Canyon National Monument or through the raging rapids of the Numbers north of Buena Vista. The Arkansas River is ideal for families with young children, groups with mixed skill levels, and outgoing, adventurous adults.

The Peak season to run the Arkansas River is May through September. Book your trip now for your chance to raft one of the country’s most popular rivers.

by amy

Avoid I-70. Take the Road Less Traveled.

Denver is a super popular vacation destination, and why wouldn’t it be? This booming city has culture, sports, and is close to Colorado's famed Rocky Mountains where you'll find an abundance of outdoor recreational activities.

Unfortunately, getting into the mountains can be tough, especially when traffic along the I-70 corridor slows you down.

Don’t let bumper to bumper traffic steal precious Colorado vacation time. Book a Colorado raft trip with KODI Rafting. We have rafting trips in Buena Vista that avoid I-70’s traffic by taking you along Highway 285.

This less-traveled route goes through Bailey, over Kenosha Pass, and into South Park (yes, that South Park) before dropping you into Buena Vista.

Buena Vista is a small—but growing—mountain town. From rafting and mountain biking to hiking and rock climbing, this Colorado gem has it all.

Buena Vista is considered by many to be the whitewater capital of the United States, and for good reason! The Arkansas River, Colorado’s #1 rafted river, runs right through town and offers several access points just a short drive from Main Street.

From Buena Vista, you can also raft Browns Canyon National Monument, a breathtaking canyon featuring granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings, and drastic elevation changes ranging from 7,300 to 10,000 feet.

KODI Rafting offers the following Buena Vista raft trips:

by amy