Christmas and New Years Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed on December 24, December 25, December 26 and January 1.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
State Park in Salida, CO
Hours:
Park: Open 24 hours a day, year-round
Visitor Center: Sun.-Tues., Thurs.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wed. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
307 West Sackett Ave.
Salida, CO 81201-1654
United States
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
State Park in Salida, CO
Hours:
Park: Open 24 hours a day, year-round
Visitor Center: Sun.-Tues., Thurs.-Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wed. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
307 West Sackett Ave.
Salida, CO 81201-1654
United States
Navigate to:
An overhead distance view of a section of the Arkansas River within the park
Welcome to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
A 152-mile stretch of the Arkansas River makes up the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA). The AHRA is recognized as one of the nation's most popular whitewater rafting and kayaking locations. AHRA visitors 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.
5,355
acres
318
campsites
102
miles of Gold Medal trout fishing
152
miles of river
River Sections
From Leadville on the north end to Lake Pueblo on the south end and multiple stops in between, this is one park split into six sections.
Accessing the Park
Directions
Park Office
307 West Sackett Ave.
Salida, CO, 81201
The park office is located in downtown Salida at the corner of G St and Sackett Ave.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Closed weekends.
Unlike most other Colorado State Parks, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area does not have one set of driving directions to get to the park. This is because the AHRA park is a linear recreation area that follows the Arkansas River for 152 miles from the high mountains near Leadville, Colorado, to Lake Pueblo, on the edge of Colorado’s plains, and there are several highways and roads entering the valley.
Under the River Sections page, see the Leadville to Buena Vista, Buena Vista to Salida, Salida to Vallie Bridge, Vallie Bridge to Parkdale, Parkdale to Cañon City, and Cañon City to Lake Pueblo pages for directions.
The AHRA Visitor Center is located in downtown Salida at the corner of G St and Sackett Ave. Visitors will find books and memorabilia in the gift shop, may purchase licenses and passes, and can register recreational vehicles.
Hours: Sunday through Tuesday, Thursday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you have questions, please call us at 719-539-7289 or email us at [email protected].
There is a ChargePoint electrical vehicle charging station outside of the AHRA Visitor Center in the G Street parking lot.
Seasonal Closures of Recreational Sites
Tunnel View and Numbers, both part of the Leadville to Buena Vista river section, and MacKenzie, part of the Cañon City to Lake Pueblo river section, are all closed. See the park map for locations of each site.
Two are winter season closures and one a federally required closure. The sites will reopen in the spring.
For more information, see the park's River Sections page.
Fees and Passes
Pass |
Description |
Duration |
Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Daily Vehicle Pass |
Single vehicle and its occupants |
1 Day |
$10-$12 |
|
Individual Daily Pass |
For individual entry on foot, bicycle, horseback, etc at select parks |
1 Day |
$4 |
|
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$29 |
|
|
Annual Vehicle Pass (Affixed) |
Pass for a single vehicle and its occupants |
12 Months |
$80 |
|
Family Annual Pass (Hang Tag) |
Members of the same household |
12 Months |
$120 |
|
Aspen Leaf Annual Pass |
Colorado residents 64+ |
12 Months |
$70 |
|
Centennial Pass |
Income-eligible Colorado residents |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Columbine Pass |
Colorado residents with disabilities |
12 Months |
$14 |
|
Veterans License Plate |
DMV vehicle registration renewal option for military veterans (disabled veterans or purple heart plates) |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Independence Lifetime Pass |
Colorado resident veterans with disabilities |
Lifetime |
Free |
|
Blue Spruce Pass |
Colorado resident first responders with disabilities |
Lifetime |
$10 |
Nature and Wildlife
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.
Bird, plant and wildlife guides are available on AHRA's State Park's iNaturalist app observations for Android and iPhone. iNaturalist is a free online social network and citizen science platform that allows users to record and share observations of biodiversity. By uploading photos or sounds of wild organisms, you can get help identifying species from a global community of naturalists and even an automated identification tool. Using iNaturalist helps you learn about local nature, connect with other enthusiasts, and most importantly, contribute valuable scientific data to biodiversity research and conservation efforts worldwide.
Be on the Lookout for Birds
Can you spot all the resident and visiting bird species? Download the Bird List Brochure (PDF).
Birds You Might Find
- Turkey vulture
- Lesser yellowlegs
- Great blue heron
- Bald eagle
Birding Tips
- Always view birds and other wildlife from a safe distance.
- Use binoculars or a spotting scope for a closer view.
- Protect young by avoiding nests or dens.
- Help protect birds by using your senses to find them, not recorded calls.
- To see more birds, keep voices and other sounds low.
- Protect plants and wildlife by staying on trails and respecting closures.
- Keep dogs leashed and under control at all times.
- For the best viewing experience, leave pets at home.
- Human food can hurt wildlife - please keep their diets wild.
- Take nothing but pictures - leave what you find for others to enjoy.
Mammals You Might Find
- Mule deer
- American beaver
- Desert cottontail
- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Learn How to Coexist
View a short video and tips on watching wildlife safely and find important information on crossing paths with wildlife.
Reptiles and Amphibians You Might Find
- Coachwhip
- Prairie lizard
- Northern leopard frog
- Red-spotted toad
YOU Can Help!
The park is lacking vital data on amphibian and reptile populations. By logging your reptile and amphibian observations into iNaturalist, you'll help us collect data that's essential for protecting and preserving the Park's natural resources.
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