In the Heart of Colorado...We Have it All!

The rugged mountains and wild whitewater of Colorado make it a haven
for the outdoor enthusiast.
From whitewater rafting and kayaking to leaisure hiking and summiting fourteen thousand foot peaks, Hartsel is centrally located, just minutes away from all of your outdoor adventures.

Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking

As close as 25 miles from Hartsel you can find excellent whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River.
Anything from mellow float trips that the whole family will love, to challenging class IV-V stretches that will challenge even an expert, the Arkansas River has everything you could want when it comes to rafting and kayaking.

Browns Canyon

The closest rafting to Hartsel at just 25 miles away! The Brown’s Canyon stretch of the Arkansas River offers 18 miles of excellent scenery and moderate class II-III+ rapids that offer plenty of excitement, but are appropriate for all ages. Many companies operating out of the Buena Vista area offer day trips through Brown’s Canyon.

Big Horn Sheep Canyon

Big Horn Sheep Canyon is a 20 mile stretch of the lower Arkansas with moderate class II - III rapids that are appropriate for all ages and skill levels. Many companies located in the Royal Gorge area offer day trips through Big Horn Sheep Canyon. This stretch is less than 50 miles from Hartsel.

The Royal Gorge

50 miles from Hartsel, the stretch of the Arkansas River running through the Royal Gorge offers exciting class IV rapids and a wonderful view of the canyon and of the Royal Gorge Bridge. This stretch is 10 miles long, with 7 of those 10 miles being continuous rapids. Many companies located in the Royal Gorge area offer this trip as a day trip, or you can combine it with a trip through Big Horn Sheep Canyon for an entire day on the river.

The Numbers

The Numbers is a very advanced class IV-V stretch of river. The run is 6 miles of very continuous, steep rapids that requires advanced technical skills. For experienced rafters and kayakers only. The numbers is an extreme adventure. Many companies operating out of the Buena Vista area offer day trips through The Numbers.

The Narrows

The Narrows is a run of fairly continuous 9 miles of class III+ rapids on the upper Arkansas River.

Pine Creek

Pine Creek is the stretch of the Arkansas river just below the headwaters in Leadville. This stretch is the most challenging and extreme run on the Arkansas River. The run is 6 miles of Advanced class IV-V rapids. Several companies in the Buena Vista area offer trips through this stretch.

Overnight or Multi-Day Raft Trips are also available through many companies on these stretches of the Arkansas River.

For more information on whitewater rafting in the area, visit www.RaftColorado.net

Kayaking Lessons are offered on the mellower stretches of the Arkansas River. 
Visit www.rmoc.com for more information.