Vacations are the ultimate luxury and while whitewater rafting doesn’t traditionally fall into the luxury bracket, here at WA we strive to prove otherwise.
Imagine wiggling your toes in the soft golden sand as you hear the gentle crash of waves along the shore. You smile to yourself, taking in the savory scent of carne asada sizzling on the grill and admiring the gorgeous colors of the sunset illuminating the sky as it disappears over snowcapped mountains. Wait, mountains? Shouldn’t it be palm trees? Where exactly are we?
Well, glad you asked – we are deep in the heart of Browns Canyon National Monument, approximately 17 miles away from Buena Vista, Colorado making camp for the first night of a three day whitewater rafting adventure. For whatever reason, the thought of camping along a river in Colorado wouldn’t naturally strike people as a glamorous vacation, but I beg to differ. There is a surprising amount of luxury to be found while “roughing it” in the wilderness.
Here at Wilderness Aware, you’re taken care of the moment you step into our headquarters. Our goal is to provide guests with the ultimate VIP experience. We’re the only company in the Arkansas River Valley to offer a complimentary continental breakfast before trips and the amazing service certainly keeps coming as you make your way to the water. Our experienced guides cover all the details so you can simply focus on enjoying your whitewater rafting adventure with your friends and family.
If you’ve never rafted with us, you might be wondering what these “details” involve. Forget your sunscreen? We gotcha. Need an extra layer that won’t get cold when wet? No worries. Little Sister wants one too? Not a problem! Each raft is prepped with a drybag ready to save the day should weather conditions change – you’re also welcome to keep small valuables safely tucked in here (just ask your guide!).
If you’re joining us on an multi-day overnight adventure, we have drybags available for each guest so you can keep your belongings safe from the elements. First time campers or those traveling by plane don’t need to worry about camping gear because we offer rental gear you can pick up right at our office before your trip. We also have cold weather river gear like booties, splash tops, and wetsuits available to keep you comfortable on the water.
A key component to any WA trip is the food! We’re all about fine dining along the river. On our full day trips, guides set up a complete deli sandwich station for guests. We’re happy to accommodate vegan, gluten free, or any other dietary requests so there’s no need to worry about getting hungry. Our multi-day trips allow for more creativity – a sample dinner menu might be our signature pesto bread bowl dip appetizer, fajitas will all the fixings, and a chocolate cake baked fresh on the spot (our guides are pros when it comes to working a Dutch oven 😉 ).
Mornings start with freshly brewed coffee, tea, or hot chocolate waiting outside your tent in a keepsake travel mug. While guides are busy scrambling up some eggs and frying the bacon, I invite you to take advantage of being immersed in nature and stroll along the river bank. Watching the world around you wake up is a pretty magical way to start your day of a thrilling Colorado white water rafting adventure!
Trade those high thread-count Egyptian linens and spa services for the thrill of splashing through a wave train, cozying up in a sleeping bag, and if you’re really craving the spa scene – be sure to check out the nearby hot springs; nature’s ultimate solution when you’re craving some TLC. This summer, take on the adventure of a lifetime and give whitewater rafting in Colorado a try!
