Sleep to the sound of the Arkansas River at this premier riverside basecamp, where group huts and campsites sit beneath the colossal Collegiate Peaks.
Noah's Ark Colorado, specifically the Noah's Ark Riverside Basecamp, sits on an 11-acre riverfront property along the Arkansas River, just six miles south of Buena Vista. Established in 1983 by founders Chuck and Lindy Cichowitz, and currently owned and operated by Rob and Kami Williams, this adventure hub serves as a premier launching pad for exploring Browns Canyon National Monument. The property's lodging revolves around its scenic riverside campground, which features ten weatherproof dome huts, often referred to as Weatherport tents, capable of housing up to 15 guests each, alongside traditional tent campsites. More recently, the addition of the River Pavilion wedding venue has introduced dedicated yurt lodging and private staging huts along the river's edge, blending rustic group accommodations with pristine alpine scenery.
The heart of the basecamp is the main lodge, a central gathering space housing a retail store, snack bar, equipment rental hub, and a full-service commercial kitchen. Guests staying at the campground can take advantage of a licensed food service program, which serves fresh, homemade meals at the covered riverside pavilion. Mornings begin with fresh cinnamon rolls, pancakes, and eggs, while lunches feature hearty deli wraps, and dinners transition to fajitas and barbecue chicken. For recreation on-property, the basecamp offers a volleyball court, direct river access for fly-fishing, and a private put-in that allows rafters to launch directly into the Arkansas River without needing a public shuttle. Immediately adjacent is the Browns Canyon Adventure Park, an aerial challenge course with over 60 elements suspended above the river.
Accommodation details at the basecamp are designed for rustic comfort and group unity, requiring guests to bring their own sleeping bags and pads to utilize the sturdy, weather-resistant platforms of the group huts. Bathrooms and hot-water shower facilities are situated a short walk from the campsites. As night falls over the Sawatch Range, the camp's communal fire rings become the focal point for stargazing beneath some of Colorado's clearest night skies, free from the light pollution of larger mountain towns. Whether utilizing the spacious group shelters for a multi-day rafting and climbing retreat or occupying the elegant yurts during a spring or autumn celebration at the River Pavilion, the property maintains a deep connection to the swift-flowing waters of the Arkansas River.
For a memorable evening, forgo the campfire one night and drive a few miles south into Browns Canyon National Monument. The Hecla Junction recreation site offers unobstructed views of the Milky Way arching over the river canyon, where the lack of light pollution makes for an exceptional stargazing experience.
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