Park Activities
Biking
Mountain bikers in the AHRA enjoy challenging terrain and diverse scenery. Check out some of the trails in the Salida area. They include the Midland Trail, which follows an 1800s railroad grade, and the Rainbow Trail, which offers some excellent views of the Arkansas River and the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Look for “Midland Bike Trail” near Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks Group Picnic area.
See the Trails page for descriptions of trails leading from the Arkansas River access points, picnic areas, and campgrounds. View additional US Forest Service trails.
Check out Colorado’s Official Trail Map, Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX), available online or via mobile app.
(Updated: 6/16/2022 1:07 PM)
Boating
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is home to some of the best whitewater boating in the country. The 152-mile stretch offers something for everybody of all experience levels—from large rapids to calmer stretches of water. For information on boat access points, check out the AHRA Map or River Safety and Etiquette brochure. Motorized boats are not allowed on the Arkansas River within the AHRA.
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area offers private and commercial opportunities for whitewater rafting. The season begins with spring runoff and ends in the late summer/early fall when flows drop and fishing picks up. Some sections remain boatable year-round but be prepared for cold conditions and possible portages in the winter.
For more information on boating opportunities in our park, visit the AHRA Boating page.
Any boat with a motor or sail operated in Colorado on any public waters must be registered with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Boat registrations can be renewed online at cpwshop.com, at the AHRA Visitor Center, or by calling (800) 244-5613. All first-time registrations and transfers must be done in person at the AHRA Visitor Center and must include a title, bill of sale, or certificate of origin. If you do not have the required paperwork for your vessel, please call the AHRA at (719) 539-7289 to schedule a HIN Inspection.
(Updated: 12/30/2021 4:20 PM)
Camping
AHRA has 8 unique campgrounds for those who like to relax and listen to the river. AHRA campgrounds do not have any electric hook-ups or potable water. Reservations should be made online or by calling (800) 244-5613.
For detailed information about our campgrounds, including directions and campground maps, please visit our Camping website.
Overnight campers outside of developed campgrounds must use a portable toilet system and fire pan as required by regulation.
For ideas on where to go camping near the river, view our interactive map. For suggestions on camping on USFS land, please visit the USFS Salida Ranger District page.
(Updated: 7/30/2020 2:50 PM)
Dog-friendly
Dogs are welcome in the park as long as:
- They are on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times.
- Their waste is properly disposed of.
- They are not left unattended at any time.
(Updated: 1/7/2022 10:01 AM)
Education Programs
Junior Rangers Programs:
We are excited to invite children to join us for our Junior Rangers (5-11 year-olds) or Tots on Tuesdays (2-4 year-olds) programs each summer!
Registration is required for attendance. Registration links can be found on the Jr Rangers flyer or by viewing all AHRA events on the CPW Connect Calendar.
(Updated: 6/18/2024 9:09 AM)
Colorado Explorer Campaign:
Join us from May 31 - July 14 for the first ever Colorado Explorer Campaign! You’ll find brand new missions throughout the State, and you can win some cool prizes! Head over to the Colorado Explorer webpage for more information.
AHRA’s mission can be played from anywhere and is called “Play Anywhere! AHRA River Explorer”. We hope you have a great time! Remember to stop by the Visitor Center for your special prize.
Agents of Discovery is an augmented-reality (AR) game that can be played on a smartphone or tablet. Users (you, our Special Agent) will participate in Missions containing multiple Challenges (mini-games) designed to help accommodate different learning styles and programs. Each month, we’ll change the content, so be sure to check back regularly. Agents who complete Missions can come into the Visitor Center for a special surprise.
Agents of Discovery on App Store
Agents of Discovery on Google Play
(Updated: 6/7/2024 10:19 AM)
Fishing
The trout population in the Arkansas is 90 percent self-reproducing brown trout and 10 percent Colorado River rainbow trout, which are introduced as fingerlings. Fishing is best when the flows are lower and the water is clear. The Gold Medal Waters of the Arkansas River offer fishing opportunities for every type of angler—from the river bank or from a boat. Fishing will be better in the river’s calmer areas, but even if the river appears calm in spots, it has strong currents and care must be taken when wading.
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area provides sites with access to some of the best fishing along with picnic tables, grills, and views of the river and mountains. For more information, visit the AHRA Fishing page.
For online planning, check out the Colorado Fishing Atlas.
Help Protect Colorado Waters - Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
(Updated: 4/15/2022 11:45 AM)
Wildlife Viewing
Many animals, such as mule deer, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep live year-round in the valley, and elk and moose can be seen seasonally. Many different species of birds also inhabit and migrate through the valley, including peregrine falcons, golden eagles, bald eagles, blue herons and turkey vultures. Ducks, geese, mergansers and shore birds like the American dipper are common.
The length of AHRA provides plenty of viewing opportunities to see water birds such as kingfishers and American dippers, raptors including eagles and red-tailed hawks, and mammals such as deer and mountain goats.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR BIRDS
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Gold Panning
Gold panning is a traditional and popular activity along the banks of the Arkansas River. It’s not uncommon to see several people looking for their fortune on the river. Refer to the Bureau of Land Management’s Geology and Minerals website for gold panning information about this area.
Recreational gold mining (non-motorized/mechanized) within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is allowed, except where prohibited as indicated by posted signs.
Motorized/Mechanized Mining
Point Barr Placer Area Permits are available for purchase from the AHRA Visitor Center at $30 per device per season, authorizing motorized/mechanized mining at the CPW Point Barr R&PP Lease Area between April 1 and September 30.
For general questions about mining in the AHRA, contact us at (719) 539-7289. For questions regarding mining claims, please contact the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office at (719) 269-8500.
(Updated: 6/12/2024 2:00 PM)
Hiking
See the AHRA Trails page for descriptions of trails leading from the Arkansas river access points, picnic areas, and campgrounds. There are also many popular hikes in the surrounding San Isabel National Forest, and backcountry opportunities are unlimited.
(Updated: 6/12/2024 1:59 PM)
Horseback Riding
Adjacent Public Lands into the backcountry offer unlimited opportunities.
(Updated: 10/2/2020 2:30 PM)
OHV Riding
There are many trails for off-highway vehicle riding in the AHRA. These include the Four Mile and Texas Creek areas, as well as the Big Bend Track. See the AHRA Trails page for descriptions of trails leading from the Arkansas River access points, picnic areas, and campgrounds.
OHV registrations can be renewed online at cpwshop.com, at the AHRA Visitor Center, or by calling (800) 244-5613. All first-time registrations and transfers must be done in person at the AHRA Visitor Center and must include a title, bill of sale, or certificate of origin. If you do not have the required paperwork for your machine, please call the AHRA at (719) 539-7289 to schedule a VIN Inspection.
(Updated: 1/23/2023 3:34 PM)
Picnicking
Most of our picnic sites are easily accessible from a major highway. Many people enjoy a picnic lunch while watching the activities on the river.
(Updated: 10/2/2020 2:31 PM)
Rock Climbing
There are many challenging climbing areas along the river for experienced climbers.
(Updated: 7/8/2022 4:51 PM)
River Ethics
When visiting AHRA, please follow these important guidelines to protect the resource and respect other visitors:
- Respect private property; no trespassing; keep noise down near homes
- Boaters avoid fishing holes when anglers are present
- Pack out all trash; pets on leash (≤ 6 ft)
- Fires only in permanent grates or approved portable containers; rock fire rings prohibited
- Dispersed campers and commercial trips must carry out human waste in approved portable toilets
- Vehicles stay on designated roads/parking
- Observe posted regulations at each site
Snowmobiling
There are many areas for snowmobile riding in the adjacent public lands next to AHRA. Included are Cottonwood Pass, Tincup/St. Elmo, Marshall Pass, Leadville, and North Fork at Shavano Campground.
Snowmobile registrations can be renewed online at cpwshop.com, at the AHRA Visitor Center, or by calling 800-244-5613. All first-time registrations and transfers must be done in person at the AHRA Visitor Center and must include a title, bill of sale, or certificate of origin. If you do not have the required paperwork for your machine, please call the AHRA at 719-539-7289 to schedule a VIN Inspection.
(Updated: 12/30/2021 4:21 PM)
Whitewater Rafting
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area offers private and commercial opportunities for whitewater rafting. The season begins with spring runoff and ends in the late summer/early fall when flows drop and fishing picks up.
(Updated: 6/14/2018 11:48 AM)
Wildlife Viewing
Information on flora and fauna can be found on our Plants or Wildlife pages, or you may purchase one of many books/pamphlets about the area from our retail store located inside of the Visitor Center at 307 W Sackett, Salida. All map and book sales are provided by our friends group, GARNA.
(Updated: 12/11/2020 12:48 PM)
Winter Activities
Fuelwood Collecting Permit
BLM Forest Product Permits are no longer available for purchase at the AHRA Visitor Center.
All permitting has moved to an online system this year:
For USFS permits, please contact the Salida Ranger District at 719-539-3591.
(Updated: 1/7/2022 10:13 AM)