Colorado Adventure Activites

The Arkansas Valley, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains’ 14,000-foot Collegiate Peaks, is considered by many to be the summertime outdoor recreation mecca of Colorado and the capital of whitewater rafting for the United States. The Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail run through the stunning peaks of the Sawatch Range. Our year-round mild climate, clean air, and clear sparkling water are just some of the things that make the Arkansas Valley a truly great place to vacation.

From whitewater rafting to rock climbing, jeep tours to mountain biking, fly fishing to hiking 14’ers and horse back riding, we offer activities that are as widely ranged as those who visit. From the beginner to the expert, we’ll find a way to create the adventure of a lifetime for you!

Summit County:

Summit County is known as “Colorado’s Playground” for good reason. The County is home to four world-class ski areas; four high country golf courses; Lake Dillon, which features two marinas, windsurfing, sail boating, outdoor concerts at the Lake Dillon Amphitheatre, and the infamous “Tiki Bar;” numerous tennis courts and softball fields; three rivers; fifty miles of paved bike trails; hundreds of miles of backcountry biking and hiking trails; several thousand of acres of federally designated “wilderness area;” and some of the finest fly-fishing on Earth.

To top it off, Summit County receives three hundred sunny days per year! Hence, over three million visitors per year find themselves basking in the grandeur of Colorado’s Playground. This is one of the best places anywhere to blast down a whitewater river or a technical singletrack; or to simply kick back and relax on the shores of the dazzling Lake Dillon, take a quiet stroll through the Eagle’s Nest National Forest, or to peruse the many quaint shops along Main Street in Breckenridge.

Colorado Fly Fishing:

The Arkansas River is one of Colorado’s major waterways. This high-elevation river with crystal-clear water provides the perfect environment for Colorado fly fishing. From its headwaters near Leadville, it flows south through the towns of Buena Vista and Salida. There is over 100 miles of floatable water with Gold Medal fly fishing stretches holding an abundance of Colorado Brown and Rainbow Trout. You’ll find plenty of variety for Colorado fly fishing, with endless riffles, runs, pools, undercuts, and overhanging brush. Fly fishing Colorado with a professional guide ensures the quality of your experience. They know the water, know the hatches and know the fish. For you eager and determined beginners the guides will teach gear selection, casting techniques, knots, entomology, and reading the river in a hands-on instructional course. If you already have your basics covered you could enjoy a full or half day walk and wade with a guide. Think you can handle stepping it up a notch? Enjoy a half day, full day or evening fly-fishing float down the river in order to challenge yourself to improve upon your fly-fishing skills. The ideal time for fly fishing in Colorado is in April and May before snowmelt brings river levels up or in July, August, September and October when the river has cleared up from the spring runoff.

Excellent Colorado fly fishing, including sections of Gold Medal Waters, is also available in the Summit County area.

Colorado Rock Climbing:

Accomplish something you never thought possible! Arkansas Valley Adventures offers rock climbing lessons and guided Colorado rock climbing trips for the beginner or the intermediate rock climber. Our guides will teach you the basics of belaying, rappelling and setting anchors. These may be new terms to you now, but after climbing with our guides you won’t believe how much you’ve learned and accomplished. Whether you want to learn more about the sport of Colorado rock climbing so you can do it on your own or you just want to try it for the first time and experience the thrill of Colorado rock climbing with the majestic Collegiate Peaks behind you, our trips are perfect for you. There is no better way to challenge yourself than by facing your fears while hanging off the side of a rock wall.

Colorado Horse Back Riding:

Colorado horseback riding trips put a whole new meaning on the word “getaway.” Imagine leaving the noise and frenzy behind, enjoying the serenity imparted from the state’s remarkable beauty on one of our Colorado horseback riding trips. Find the best Colorado horseback riding trips through the National Forest of the Collegiate Peaks. We offer the novice and skilled riders various trails, crossing mountain streams and entering the quiet habitat of the Colorado elk and mule deer. We have an adventure of a lifetime for every member of the family on our Colorado horseback riding trips.

Colorado Hiking and Hot Springs:

If you need to take a break from your action packed days with Arkansas Valley Adventures there is no better way then to spend a day enjoying the scenery and wildlife while on a hike. The option is yours to either push yourself and make it to the top of one of Colorado’s fourteeners or take it slow and go on a more mellow hike. Although we do not provide guided hiking tours, our outpost is equipped with trail maps and directions to several mountains in the pristine Arkansas Valley. We would be more than happy to point you in the right direction. To bring a perfect day to a close we recommend you soak in the natural hot springs just down the valley from our outpost.