Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

State Park in Salida, CO

Hours:

Park: Open 24 hours a day, year-round

Visitor Center: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch. Closed Saturdays and Sundays

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

Contact:

719-539-7289

[email protected]

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

State Park in Salida, CO

Hours:

Park: Open 24 hours a day, year-round

Visitor Center: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch. Closed Saturdays and Sundays

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

Contact:

719-539-7289

[email protected]

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Construction Closures: Vallie Bridge, Ruby Mountain -

Vallie Bridge Day Use Area is closed 10/28/2024 through 12/12/2024. Ruby Mountain Recreation Site is closed 9/1/2024 through 5/1/2025. There is a full road closure of County Rd. 300 near MM 2.2 at the entrance into Browns Canyon; and, full river closure of the Arkansas River from Fisherman's Bridge continuing Southeast to Ruby Mountain Campground. County Rd. 300 and this section of Arkansas River are closed to all vehicle, water craft and foot traffic as a result of unstable slope conditions encountered  during construction. The full road and river closure will continue until project completion.

Get Involved

Whether you are an avid hiker, mountain biker or hunter, or you simply appreciate all the Colorado outdoors has to offer, there are many ways you can get involved. Colorado state parks have a variety of employment and volunteer opportunities. Jobs include naturalists and maintenance and administrative work and range, from full to part time and temporary. Volunteer opportunities include wildlife monitoring and campground host. Check out the opportunities below for more information.

People sitting on boulders, watching the river

People sitting on boulders, watching the river

Jobs

Every year we hire: 

  • Naturalists
  • Maintenance Workers
  • Administrative and Customer Service Reps
  • Limited-Commissioned Law Enforcement Personnel (both Land and River Rangers)

All temporary, YIP internship and full-time jobs are posted directly on the state's career website.

Volunteer

Bluebird Monitoring

Bluebird Monitoring

Volunteers will monitor bluebird house/nesting sites located around the park.

Campground Host

Campground Host

Serve as a camp host and contribute your time to the rewarding operation that is Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.

CMC Partnership Program

Cleanup or Restoration Project

Assist us in a self-selected cleanup, join us for a cleanup event or assist in a campground/site restoration project.

Weed Warriors

Trail Data Collection

Take a hike on one of our trails, collect data on the things you love to do and look at and help us create a short description of what others may experience on the trail.

Citizen Task Force

The Citizen Task Force (CTF)  functions as an advisory committee to AHRA's park manager. 

The committee gives recommendations to the AHRA regarding management, growth and development issues throughout the recreation area and the Upper Arkansas River Valley.  They also serve an integral part in providing an open communication link to parties affected by management decisions. Volunteering for the task force is a great opportunity to be involved in the mission of the AHRA.

To volunteer, submit the Nomination/Application form.