Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
AHRA Visitor Center Hours
- Monday-Saturday: 8 AM - 5 PM
- Closed Sunday
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is one of the nation’s most popular whitewater rafting and kayaking destinations, home to the most commercially rafted river in the U.S. — the Arkansas River. Tumbling 4,650 feet over 152 miles, the river features rapids ranging from Class II–V (beginner to expert).
AHRA visitors also enjoy camping, hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, mountain biking, rock climbing, and even gold panning along the river’s shores, deep canyons, broad valleys, and towering mountain peaks found within the upper Arkansas River valley.
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is a landmark cooperative effort between Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the US Forest Service (USFS). Through this partnership, the agencies provide visitors with outstanding recreation opportunities and care for the nationally significant natural resources of the Upper Arkansas River Valley.
Park Statistics:
- 5,355 acres
- 318 campsites
- 102 miles of Gold Medal trout fishing
- 152 miles of river