More Miles More Smiles
(719) 539-7737
Independent Whitewater: Your Local River Connection in Salida, CO
Independent Whitewater is a local, family owned company located right on the Arkansas River just upstream of Salida, CO. Our mission is simple: Bring “more miles and smiles” to you and your crew! Our private river access lets us offer “more miles” on every adventure, including our Browns Canyon whitewater ½ day. After the trip, relax at The Drift In, our tiki-themed bar and grill, for more smiles.
Come check out the best whitewater rafting in Colorado with us and see why we’ve been Salida’s favorite for 45 years.
Our Most Popular Arkansas River Rafting Trips
Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River offers experiences for all ages and skill levels. The Browns Canyon 1/2 day is the most popular family whitewater rafting trip in Colorado. This exciting trip is great for rafters of all abilities, including families with kids 7 and older. Thanks to our private river access, we are able to offer more rapids and miles on our half day trip than any other company. The IW half day includes Seidel’s Suckhole and Twin Falls, two classic Arkansas River rapids you don’t want to miss.
Looking for a more mellow experience? Try our scenic class II Arkansas River float trips which raft through awesome scenery as well as historic downtown Salida. These half day trips are suited for families with kids as young as 2 and rafters can expect to be on the water for about 2.5 hours. Looking for a quicker trip? Ask us about our shorter 1/4 day float.
Looking for big thrills? Our most popular advanced whitewater is in The Numbers, a river section with continuous whitewater and excitement. If you are an experienced rafter looking for maximum thrills, this is the trip for you!
The Independent Whitewater Difference
When you choose Independent Whitewater, you’ll get:
- The longest Browns Canyon ½ day trip on the Arkansas River
- Family float trips launch directly from our private riverside property and float through historic Downtown Salida
- Free wetsuits, booties and splash gear provided on all trips
- The Drift In, a riverside bar and grill for food and drinks before and after your rafting adventure
- 45 years of experience rafting the whitewater of Browns Canyon and the Arkansas River
- Smaller trips. Our average trip size is about 2-4 boats, making for a more personal experience
- Fun, friendly and helpful office staff
- Owners on site daily
Looking for More Things To Do in Colorado?
We got you covered on all things adventurous. On top of hosting a wide range of rafting adventures in Salida, Colorado, you can also add on zipline adventures. Located in the “Heart of the Rockies”, you’ll find that recreation, arts, and cultural activities are endless in Salida. Other nearby destinations like the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Browns Canyon National Monument allow for an abundance of fun things to do in our region. Find more trip ideas and activities below.
Have a glimpse into your next whitewater rafting adventure by cruising around our blog: The Arkansas River Roundup. Dive in to find travel tips, insider rafting information, and more to prepare yourself for an unforgettable trip.
Independent Whitewater Unveils Unforgettable Whitewater Rafting Adventures!
Salida, CO, January 10, 2023 – Independent Whitewater, a leading river outfitter is thrilled to announce some of the most exhilarating white water rafting adventures on the Arkansas River. Embarking on a mission to redefine the best family white water rafting in Colorado, Independent Whitewater introduces a series of expeditions that combine heart-pounding rapids with…
I Believe in More Miles, More Smiles!
If there’s one thing we cultivate at IW, it’s smiles. We’re lucky enough to be in the whitewater rafting business which means we get to help people have fun all summer long. It’s a pretty amazing job, really. Maybe that’s why we’re so proud of the fact that we float more miles on our Browns…