Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
4.5
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
About
An area of the Arkansas River with spectacular scenery and 14,000-foot mountains.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
26 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Lisa H
Woodland Park, CO99 contributions
Jul 2022
The area is super nice for relaxing, sticking your feet in the water or tubing. We tubed down and the water levels were so high and the current so strong that all 6 of us, ended up out of our tubes at least 2 times. I thought the life jackets were a joke but probably saved our lives. It was scary through the rapids.
Written 26 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian H
Osceola, AR69 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
Colorado's Dept. of Wildlife and Partygoing has 42 parks in its system. The vast majority are near population centers where the public and 'cut their teeth' on the camping/hiking/fishing/etc. experience that will prepare you for the real outdoor challenges, like Rocky Mountain National Park, State Forest State Park, Golden Gate, Mueller, and so forth. Arkansas Headwaters Rec. Area (AHRA) is one of those 'Big Boys' - maybe even "Pappy."
When you think of Colorado and adventure, you have to think of whitewater rafting and fly fishing stocked streams. Well, that's AHRA in a nutshell. The State has done an EXCELLENT job of setting up sites along the (Arkansas) River for kayakers and rafters to enter the water and several places to fish and camp. The stocked fish comes out of a hatchery in Salida, and they are a good size to start.
Don't go here thinking you can handle it yourself on your first attempt. Get a guide. Once you get an idea, then you can go otherwise. You might even go in the Royal Gorge area and see the bridge. It's spectacular scenery all the way to Pueblo.. where the first dam is located. The next place it's dammed is at John Martin Reservoir, both of which are also State Parks.
I fished, panned for gold, watched rafters, and just relaxed at several of the park sites.. which are many... and no.. I didn't find any gold (but it was fun never-the-less).
I should say if you want a town to stay in, instead of camping or sleeping in your car.. then use Salida. I want to review that town.. as I visited every town of any size and must say that it is absolutely the best town to visit and live in.. in Colorado.. well, at least for me and my personality. just saying.
they have a great webpage for the location of sites along the river.. so check it out. Also, if you google "Arkansas River Rafting tours" .. you will get plenty of hits of who will be of service.
have fun.. this is one park you will always remember. And ignore the listing above, where it give AR as the state location.. the 81201 zip is for Salida.
When you think of Colorado and adventure, you have to think of whitewater rafting and fly fishing stocked streams. Well, that's AHRA in a nutshell. The State has done an EXCELLENT job of setting up sites along the (Arkansas) River for kayakers and rafters to enter the water and several places to fish and camp. The stocked fish comes out of a hatchery in Salida, and they are a good size to start.
Don't go here thinking you can handle it yourself on your first attempt. Get a guide. Once you get an idea, then you can go otherwise. You might even go in the Royal Gorge area and see the bridge. It's spectacular scenery all the way to Pueblo.. where the first dam is located. The next place it's dammed is at John Martin Reservoir, both of which are also State Parks.
I fished, panned for gold, watched rafters, and just relaxed at several of the park sites.. which are many... and no.. I didn't find any gold (but it was fun never-the-less).
I should say if you want a town to stay in, instead of camping or sleeping in your car.. then use Salida. I want to review that town.. as I visited every town of any size and must say that it is absolutely the best town to visit and live in.. in Colorado.. well, at least for me and my personality. just saying.
they have a great webpage for the location of sites along the river.. so check it out. Also, if you google "Arkansas River Rafting tours" .. you will get plenty of hits of who will be of service.
have fun.. this is one park you will always remember. And ignore the listing above, where it give AR as the state location.. the 81201 zip is for Salida.
Written 26 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vegas T
Salida, CO40 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
A nice place for the group to meet up at after a few hours of mountain biking, fishing, fun, shopping, eating, and drinking. The cement trail meanders along the river front and if you get the local city map(found in most businesses and rest) you can head towards the duck ponds or to the dog park and farm pastures.
Written 5 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy T
Highlands Ranch, CO15 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
If you are a first time visitor to the area, this is a great stop for resources on local outdoor activities and weather conditions! The staff are friendly and wealth of information-and, the building is dog friendly!
Written 12 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niwotois
Saco, ME374 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Listing the AHRA in Salida makes sense because the very interesting Headquarters is just off the downtown in lovely, historic Salida, but most of the fun is up or down the river outside of town. Having said that, if you are in Salida, do make a point to walk along the riverfront area that runs through town Lovely walkway, huge stones to sit on and watch the river roll, and a nice, shaded park right in the centre of town.
AHRA actually is a CO state park (and state wildlife area, but mostly park) that is part of the CO Division of Parks and wildlife. It's a fragmented series of parking areas, launch ramps, picnic and toilet facilities and just general sit and enjoy the river spots running for scores of miles, both above and below Salida. The river is very varied. From up at the top of AHRA, way up north near Leadville, the river is steep, white water rushing through quite narrow canyons in places. Nearing Buena Vista, the river valley widens and from BV down to Salida, it runs through wide meadows filled with grazing cattle. There are lots of fly-fisherfolk and, in the spring and early summer, lots and lots and lots of rafters. Below Salida, the river runs back down into, again, narrower canyons.
If you love rivers, there really is something for just about everyone somewhere along the way in AHRA. Stop at the HQ in Salida, talk to the nice folks there, pick up a brochure, and find your stop. BTW, if you really do like rivers, there is a simlarly fragmented and spread out CO state park (James M. Robb Colorado River State Park) way out west near I-70 that runs through and on either side Grand Junction. A very different river and experience, but just as beautiful in its own way. The park rangers and Wildlife wardens take great care of these facilities and try very hard to make certain everyone is safe and has a good time.
AHRA actually is a CO state park (and state wildlife area, but mostly park) that is part of the CO Division of Parks and wildlife. It's a fragmented series of parking areas, launch ramps, picnic and toilet facilities and just general sit and enjoy the river spots running for scores of miles, both above and below Salida. The river is very varied. From up at the top of AHRA, way up north near Leadville, the river is steep, white water rushing through quite narrow canyons in places. Nearing Buena Vista, the river valley widens and from BV down to Salida, it runs through wide meadows filled with grazing cattle. There are lots of fly-fisherfolk and, in the spring and early summer, lots and lots and lots of rafters. Below Salida, the river runs back down into, again, narrower canyons.
If you love rivers, there really is something for just about everyone somewhere along the way in AHRA. Stop at the HQ in Salida, talk to the nice folks there, pick up a brochure, and find your stop. BTW, if you really do like rivers, there is a simlarly fragmented and spread out CO state park (James M. Robb Colorado River State Park) way out west near I-70 that runs through and on either side Grand Junction. A very different river and experience, but just as beautiful in its own way. The park rangers and Wildlife wardens take great care of these facilities and try very hard to make certain everyone is safe and has a good time.
Written 9 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanne A
Palm Springs, CA5,300 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
I'd give this a higher rating if there were more hiking trails along the river. It if fishing or water access is your thing then this gets a 5 star rating. Either way, it's lovely with tons of picnic spots.
Written 26 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vicvic1959
Gulf Breeze, FL9 contributions
Jul 2016
Stayed 6 nights at Rinkon campground. Campsites are parallel and up close to the Arkansas river with mountains on both sides. Full moon glistening in the river and sounds of the rapids were very relaxing.
Written 25 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie B B
Longwood30 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Salida has a beautiful riverwalk for everyone! Drive through downtown and park on the other side of the river and hit the trail. There are a couple of cool restaurants along the trail. Take some time to watch the kayakers practice in the river. If you need to get some height, take the Tenderfoot Mountain hike up the S mountain.
Written 27 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
morewierd
Boulder, CO2,871 contributions
Aug 2020
Even if we are not paddling or kayaking this is the area that gives Salida it's personality. SO easy to spend the day here.,
Come on down!
Come on down!
Written 23 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Minchu01
Denver, CO151 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
We camped at the five points campsite and it had amazing views . We also had mountain goat herd going up and down the mountains . The vault toilet was also very clean . It is close to the river and there is a trail . There is no potable water .
Written 13 August 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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