If there’s anything we’ve learned in recent months, it’s that outdoor recreation is essential to the body and mind, and nowhere is better for playing among the mountains and along the river than Buena Vista-based Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center (RMOC).
RMOC has been a leader in outdoor adventure since 1982, offering everything from rock climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking, to backcountry skiing and mountaineering. Name the outdoor sport, and RMOC most likely leads a class or trip in it. In addition to its incredible course catalog, RMOC also offers several levels of certification for raft guides, ski guides, and more.
Only a short drive from Colorado Springs and Denver, RMOC’s riverside outpost is located on the banks of the Arkansas River. With Browns Canyon National Monument lining its property and the breathtaking Collegiate Peaks as its backdrop, RMOC offers incredible views and opportunities for truly unique outdoor recreation in all directions.
It’s summertime, arguably the best time to play big in the Arkansas River Valley, and RMOC is running all of its trips, particularly its most popular, including rafting and kayaking Brown’s Canyon National Monument and family-friendly Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Rock climbing trips are also a favorite with guests as no experience is necessary for beginner spots, while experienced climbers can learn gear placement and lead climbing on more extreme climbs.
The Arkansas River Valley has also become a premier biking destination in Colorado. Hundreds of miles of singletrack and four-wheel-drive roads create a perfect network of biking opportunities. The diverse landscape in the area allows RMOC to offer a variety of unique guided mountain biking trips popular with guests from across the country.
For a guest unable to decide what type of trip or course to take, there are RMOC’s multisport adventures, like Rock and Row and The Numbers Extreme, which combine some of our most popular trips into full days of adventure.
Aside from trips, there are instructional courses for a range of outdoor activities. Improve your roll with Kayak School, learn how to cruise through rapids in SUP School, hook your heel in Rock School, and tackle more technical trails in Bike School. The list goes on to include Oar Training, Backcountry Snow School, and Rescue School.
Camping at RMOC’s riverside campground is always a great idea for anyone wanting to book multiple days of adventure. This is a great place to relax before or after an epic adventure. All camping includes access to potable well water, trash/recycling, and port-o-potties.
Take relaxation to the next level by hanging out and feasting on mountain mex-style burritos, served from an on-site food truck. And now in its final stages of construction and scheduled to open summer 2020 is the brand new, onsite Brown’s Canyon Brewing Company. Riverside beers anyone?
Additional RMOC amenities include a roll pool, perfect for learning how to roll a kayak, and a bike park, which includes beginner and intermediate features. There is also a quarter-mile of singletrack that wraps around the property.
Locals who want to take full advantage of RMOC’s extensive year-round class offerings might consider purchasing the Adventure Pass, the best deal in outdoor recreation.
With the purchase of the $650 Adventure Pass, one gets unlimited access to dozens of beginner, intermediate, and advanced courses offered in a variety of activities, including whitewater kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, oar training, rock climbing, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, ice climbing, fat biking, and more. The Adventure Pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase. Additional perks include a 10% discount at local gear shops as well as a 10% discount for family and friends on all RMOC guided trips.
As of May 22, 2020, RMOC opened back up to the public, offering guided trips, instructional courses, and certification courses as scheduled and under social distancing guidelines set by the CDPHE.
RMOC has also extended its private trip offerings to further maintain social distancing and other health standards. Guests can also save on private instruction with promo code private20, which offers $30 off a full-day of private instruction for two people on their activity of choice.
