Browns Canyon of the Arkansas River is a stunning and iconic Class III whitewater run. Officially designated as a national monument by President Obama in 2015, this scenic stretch is located near Buena Vista, Colorado. Surrounded by smooth granite boulders, lush pine forests, and framed by the majestic Collegiate Peaks, Browns Canyon offers an unforgettable experience for paddlers.
Despite its remote and wild ambiance, it remains one of the most commercially rafted river sections in the United States. This popularity means river traffic can be high during peak season, so paddlers seeking a more serene adventure may want to plan their put-in times outside of the commercial trip schedule.
A note on the Mile Markers: River Miles start upstream at the first section of the Arkansas River
Trip Highlights
Mile 37.8: Fisherman's Bridge put in. There are rails on steps to slide your boat down into the water.
Mile 39.3: Put in at Ruby Mountain Campground. This is an alternative put-in that mostly just used at low water, or if you have a heavy oar rig (so you don't have to slide boats down to the river on rails above the stairs at Fish Bridge.
Browns Canyon has beautiful Granite and Pine Trees
Mile 44.1: Canyon Doors Rapid (III) Fun breaking wave at most levels, and can be a fun playspot for kayaks. As the water goes up, this wave get's bigger and can be a great hit for experienced boaters. This wave can be avoided if desired too. Pinball is right after this rapid
Mile 44.2: Pinball Rapid (III) technical rapids lots of rocks at low water where you will have to work back and forth (hence the name). Prepare to wait your turn to go through at peak hours below 400cfs, as only one raft can go at a time and often get stuck in the process. As the water goes up this rapid gets easier. Typically you enter this rapid on the left for the first drop and then start making moves around the rocks and finish the rapid moving from right to left
Crushing Through Zoom Flume
Mile 44.9: Zoom Flume (III+) This has an easy scout on river left along the railroad tracks. You will typically see a photographer on the left shore as a marker for the rapid. After the first drop run center/right and look for upcoming rocks to avoid. At higher water big holes develop in the center of the river that should be avoided or hit them straight with some momentum.
Mile 45.3: Squeeze Play Rapid (III) has a large slant-faced rock in the middle of the river. Usually run river left (III)
Mile 46: Big Drop Rapid (III)
Mile 46.3: Staircase Rapid (III) (also known as Seven Steps). Almost a 1/2 mile of series of drops with the first 2 being pretty mild compared to the others. The first drop is run river right and then the rest are run center left missing the rocks and pour overs. The last drop creates a big lateral wave on the left at high water. Make sure to take a look around, this is the deepest part of the canyon. Large regrouping eddy on river right at the end of this rapid.
Paddle High-Five!
Mile 46.9: Widowmaker Rapid (II) is a fun pick-your-way though large boulders rapid. The Toilet Bowl is a unique river feature that only comes out at low to average flows with a left entry where you ride the wave around the hole and spin right then back left down steam. Will be easy to see when you are there. High water this feature disappears.48
Mile 48.6: Hecla Junction take out. Take out here if you want to keep it class III and not run Sidel's Suckhole rapid. Above 5,000 CFS take out here because Stone Bridge needs to be portaged.
Mile 49.6: Seidel’s Suckhole (IV) A notoriously difficult rapid at high water, considered one of the most challenging on the Browns Canyon section. Generally enter river left, but beware of a hole that can flip boats. At medium to low water levels, it is a straightforward rapid with less propensity to filp boats. Set safety for your friends in the large eddy on river right.
Mile 49.9: Twin Falls (III) Straight forward run and t up to the waves. The higher the water the bigger these get and are some of the biggest waves at highwater on this stretch.
Mile 52.3: Stone Bridge take out is on river right. If water is over 5,500 CFS you want to portage around the bridge on river right. Only a few spots for boats so if with a group have good spacing to avoid the bridge.
