Submitted by zoe on Fri, 2011-07-01 13:16

Coming up to the Colorado High Country for the holiday weekend? Looking for fun things to do? Go rafting! It's the perfect time of year to enjoy big fun on Colorado's rivers.

Brown’s Canyon on the Arkansas River is great fun right now. It offers one of the nation’s most popular intermediate whitewater experiences. With ten miles on the river, this is an excellent family friendly day trip.

This stretch of the Arkansas River is full of exciting class III pool-drop type rapids, and the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range and the Collegiate Peaks provide a dramatic backdrop not to be missed. The river travels through a classic, majestic Colorado canyon with interesting rock formations and the possibility of seeing wildlife. Deer, raptors, marmots and bighorn sheep have all been spotted at times.

Whitewater rapids with names like Canyon Doors, Pinball, Twin Falls, Zoom Flume, Squeeze Play, Toilet Bowl and Widow Maker provide that shot of adrenaline most expect from a Class III rafting experience.

The drive to the Arkansas River from Vail/Beaver Creek is well worth it. Highway 24 south from Minturn is one of the nation’s most scenic drive, the "Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway."

Most rafting outfitters in Vail and Beaver Creek offer Brown's Canyon trips. They typically meet their guests at their outpost in the Vail area and drive the 45 minutes in a comfortable van through historic Leadville.

Vacation like a local...go with the professionals and have a phenomenal time!

Today's rafting report provided by Timberline Tours, defining Vail rafting since 1971.

• zoe's blog