Numbers Rafting Trips on Colorado's Arkansas River

The Numbers is the most intense and difficult rafting trip that we offer on the Arkansas River. Your trip starts out North of Buena Vista at over 8500 feet in elevation. Here the river is narrow and technical and runs cold and fast. At high water the rapids of The Numbers link together and turn into one nearly continuous Class IV and V whitewater rapid.

There are six named rapids in The Numbers, numbered from 1 to 6. Between the named rapids are plenty of class III rapids to keep everyone busy.

Even late summer trips are action-packed with many technical moves. When the river is running lower you can see the polished granite boulders that choke the river and create crazy swirling currents.

What really defines a rafting trip on The Numbers is the gradient. The Arkansas River drops an average of 72 feet/mi through The Numbers section.

If you can find the time to take in the scenery, you'll catch fantastic views of the 14,000 foot Collegiate Peaks. These peaks are Mt. Princeton, Mt. Yale, Mt. Harvard, Mt. Columbia, & Mt. Oxford.

Full-day Numbers rafting trips stop for lunch, then continue through Wildhorse Canyon. For those wanting a maximum of intense whitewater, our Double Dip trip offers back-to-back Numbers half-day trips, with lunch included (call for availability).

Good physical condition is required and previous paddling experience is recommended. Minimum 4 people required. Minimum age 18.