Breckenridge
The magic of summer in the mountains comes alive in Breckenridge, Colorado. Located within Summit County, Breckenridge offers skiing and snowboarding, alongside plenty of opportunities for winter sports, yet the temperate summer weather and high alpine environment transform Breckenridge into a mecca for summer adventure.
The Summit of Adventure
Breckenridge, Colorado is the place to visit if you are looking for a hip mountain town with access to the best outdoor adventures the Colorado mountains have to offer. Best of all, you’ll find Whitewater Rafting trips near Breckenridge on 4 different rivers!
Explore Breckenridge
Top Trips
Whitewater Rafting trips from the mellow and mild to the wet and wild are all easy day-trips from Breckenridge. Choose from shorter, 2-hour adventures to overnight trips. AVA offers experiences on the Arkansas River, Colorado River, Blue River, and Clear Creek with a wide array of choices, allowing you to find the perfect river trip for you and your party.
Breckenridge is also an ideal central location for all of our outdoor adventure opportunities, including Ziplining, Via Ferrata, Rock climbing, Fly Fishing, and more! Breckenridge is additionally the location for our Bike Rentals, allowing you to explore the paved paths and dirt trails of Summit County.
Breckenridge Whitewater Rafting
Blue River Rafting
The Blue River is just a half hour from Breckenridge in Silverthorne, Colorado. This river is known for stunning Rocky Mountain Views, including the Gore Range and of Quandary Peak and is a tributary of the Colorado River. Raft the Blue River Express for an exciting and scenic trip on class III rapids!
Arkansas River Rafting
Located just an hour and 15 minutes away from Breckenridge, Colorado, our Buena Vista outpost provides access to the majestic Arkansas River. Rafters on this river will be treated to breathtaking scenery, including the impressive Collegiate Peak Mountain Range within the Sawatch Range.
Experience the thrill of navigating the Browns Canyon National Monument with our Browns Canyon 1/2 Day trip . This intermediate whitewater adventure offers plenty of opportunities to admire the stunning granite canyon, picturesque landscapes, and abundant wildlife. For those looking for a full-day adventure, choose the Browns Canyon Sizzler or 24 Hours in Browns, our overnight trip where you can camp riverside and sleep under the stars.
If you’re seeking more intense rapids, our Numbers 1/2 day trip is perfect for you. Prepare to tackle the most continuous whitewater rafting section of the Arkansas River, featuring exhilarating class IV rapids. And for the most daring adventurers, our Rappel into the Gauntlet excursion awaits. Begin the day with a thrilling 75-foot rappel to a waiting raft and experience the adrenaline rush of conquering the Arkansas River’s steepest section, complete with heart-pumping class V rapids.
Colorado River Rafting
Flowing from the Continental Divide to Mexico’s Gulf of California, the Colorado River travels through 7 states and the Grand Canyon, providing water to 36 million people. AVA is lucky enough to have access to the Upper Colorado River from our Kremmling outpost, one hour from Breckenridge.
On the Colorado River, we offer scenic half and full day float trips with opportunities for Inflatable Kayak and Stand up Paddleboarding trips. Visitors experience a few gentle rapids, as this section flows through the Gore Range. Our float trips allow for plenty of time to relax, swim, and sunbathe on the river! We also run an overnight 24 Hours on the Upper Colorado trip, where visitors have the opportunity to experience day and night on the beautiful Upper Colorado River, as well as our Walk and Wade, Float, and Overnight Fly-Fishing trips!
Clear Creek Rafting
Clear Creek is also located one hour from Breckenridge, with our outpost in Idaho Springs providing access to the river. Clear creek offers rafting for all ages and ability levels and represents the best rafting near the Denver area. Clear Creek travels through historic Idaho Springs and its mining valley, reaping stunning Colorado views and wildlife along the way.
For a milder introduction to whitewater rafting and trip perfect for all ages, choose our Clear Creek Gold Rush trip and rush through eleven class III rapids. Our Upper Clear Creek 1/2 Day trip will take you through slightly more advanced class IV rapids, while our Lower Canyon 1/2 day trip provides an introductory option to more challenging class V whitewater rapids with steeper technical sections to get your heart racing. For those seeking intense thrills and exciting rapids, choose our Phoenix trip. This is a full day advanced trip with 20 miles of thrilling adventure and non-stop excitement!
Explore Breckenridge Adventures
Upper Colorado 4 Hour Fly Fishing Trip
Join AVA for a scenic fly-fishing excursion on the Upper Colorado River. Our 4- hour float trips are perfect for both novice and experienced [...]
Blue River Express White Water Rafting Trip
Join AVA on the Blue River on this 1/3-day family-friendly rafting trip! Splash through class III rapids and marvel at the scenery around you [...]
Rock Climb Half Day
Take in the Rocky Mountain scenery while our guides cover the basics of belaying, rappelling, and setting anchors. Whether you’re looking to learn more [...]
Dolores River 3 Day
This 47-mile run is full of intermediate Class III rapids with one easily scouted Class IV+ rapid thrown in to keep everyone on their [...]
Full Day Bike Rental
A full day exploring Breckenridge by bike, whether via the thrill of single track or cruising the many rec paths both in town and [...]
Stand Up Paddleboard Half Day
Try the newest, most fun activity on the river – Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)! On this half-day trip, you’ll SUP 5 miles down the [...]
Scenic Float Full Day
Experience the natural beauty of the Colorado River on our Full Day Upper Colorado Full Day Scenic Float trip! You’ll paddle a gently flowing [...]
Inflatable Kayaks Half Day
Looking to take charge of the river? On AVA’s Upper Colorado Inflatable Kayak ½ Day trip you can do just that! Whether you want [...]
Discover Breckenridge
The Closest River to Breckenridge
The nearest river to Breckenridge is the Blue River, just a half hour away in Silverthorne. The Colorado River and Clear Creek are both about an hour From Breckenridge, with the Arkansas River also about an hour and 15 minutes.
The Closest Outpost to Breckenridge
Our outposts in Kremmling and Idaho Springs are both about an hour from Breckenridge, with our Buena Vista location slightly over an hour away.
For Beginners and Families
The Blue River Express offers a perfect introduction to rafting on a 1/3 trip. close to Breckenridge. These milder class III rapids are gentle enough for all ages 5 and up
For Adrenaline Junkies
The Gauntlet on Pine Creek and The Numbers sections of the Arkansas River is some of the most intense rafting in the state. This stretch of the Arkansas River will get your heart pumping! And choose our Rappel into the Gauntlet trip for an extra rush, as you drop to your waiting raft.
Biking
Our bike rentals are located in downtown Breckenridge. Choose from a leisure, E-bike, mountain, or gravel bike and check out over 792 miles of trails. If you want a smooth ride, the rec path runs all the way from Breckenridge to Frisco with wonderful views of Lake Dillon and Breckenridge’s stunning mountain scenery.
Fly-Fishing
Just one hour north of Breckenridge through the beautiful Gore Canyon you can find some of the best fly fishing in Colorado on the Colorado River near Kremmling, Colorado. Experience a fishing float trip, a walk and wade trip, or an overnight adventure.
Ziplining
We offer two zipline courses near Breckenridge, each only about 1 hour from downtown. The first is in Buena Vista, Colorado, where you will fly high into the Collegiate Peaks and above the Arkansas River Valley. Our other course is located in Idaho Springs, built into the mountainside above the Chicago Creek and historic town.
Via Ferrata
Our Buena Vista and Idaho Springs locations also offers thrilling Via Ferrata courses. Climb high into the cliffsides and traverse across iron rungs, bars, and bridges. You can even soar across several lines of our zipline course!
Main Street
Take a stroll along Main Street in Breckenridge and explore its charming historic district. Lined with Victorian-era buildings housing boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes, Main Street offers a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. Don’t miss landmarks like the Barney Ford House Museum, which tells the story of an escaped slave who became a prominent entrepreneur in Breckenridge.
Hiking Trails
Breckenridge is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, and one of the best ways to experience it is by hiking on the area’s scenic trails. Whether you’re seeking a leisurely walk through snow-covered forests or a challenging trek to a mountain summit, Breckenridge has options for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. Popular trails include the Burro Trail and the Peaks Trail.
Brewery Tour
Beer enthusiasts can enjoy a tour of the Breckenridge Brewery, where they can learn about the brewing process and sample a variety of craft beers. Founded in 1990, Breckenridge Brewery is known for its innovative brews and laid-back atmosphere. After the tour, visitors can relax in the brewery’s tasting room or outdoor beer garden, enjoying scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
Epic Discovery Park
Explore the great outdoors at Breckenridge Epic Discovery Park, located at the base of Peak 8. This adventure park offers a wide range of activities for the whole family to enjoy during the summer months. Zip through the treetops on the Expedition Zipline Tour, navigate the Alpineer Challenge Course, or take a scenic chairlift ride to the mountaintop for breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.