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 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
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: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
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:
Construction Closures: Parkdale Boat Ramp, Ruby Mountain -
Parkdale Boat Ramp will be under construction from 1/13/25 through 4/15/25. 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.
Boaters preparig to go on the river.
Arkansas River Headwaters Recreation Area
About Salida to Vallie Bridge
Along the Arkansas River, the 18-mile Salida to Vallie Bridge section has 7 river access sites. Salida East, Point Barr, Rincon and Vallie Bridge all have developed campgrounds and popular dispersed camping areas include Red Wall, Woody's Claim, Rainbow Bridge and Badger Creek.
What to Do at This River Section
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Education Programs
- Fishing
- Gold Panning
- Fishing
- Horseback Riding
- Picnicking
- Rockclimbing
- Whitewater Boating
- Wildlife Viewing
Arkansas River Headwaters Recreation Area
The River Below Salida
The river flows into Bighorn Sheep Canyon, a granite canyon dotted with stands of pinon pine, juniper, and oak brush. Anglers especially enjoy this segment- it offers deep pools, rock banks, and gravel bars. In addition to public land access along the river, Colorado Parks And Wildlife fishing easements also provide river access. Boaters will find Class II-III rapids in this segment.
Salida to Vallie Bridge Sites
The 10 river access sites are listed in order from Salida to Vallie Bridge.
Choose a Site
- Commercial Boaters: Not Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Activities and Amenities:
- Boat Ramp/Slide
- Changing Facilites
- Fishing Access
- Hiking
- Horse/Bike Trail
- Picnic Tables / Grills
- Restroom
- River Access
- Camping
This site is managed by the town of Salida, CO.
This site offers the closest camping to downtown Salida, Colorado, and is conveniently located just east of Salida on US Highway 50, near mile marker 224.
- Commercial Boaters: Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Activities and Amenities:
- Boat Ramp/Slide
- Camping
- Changing Facilities
- Fishing Access
- Picnic Tables / Grills
- Restroom
- River Access
- Education Programs
- Fee Site
Campsite Information:
Salida East campground offers 33 sites, basic and tent-only, at $28.00 dollars per night. A yurt is also available for weekend reservations.
- Changing Facilities
- Picnic Table / Grill
- Tent Pad
- Vault Toilets
- Potable Water
- RV Hook-ups
- Trash Cans
Reservations can be made online at www.cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Group Picnic Site Information:
Salida East Group Picnic Site is made up of two group picnic spaces right next to each other. Combined, both can hold up to 64 people and are $28.00 dollars per day per side.
- Shade Shelters (three)
- tables (four per shelter)
To reserve a portion or the whole Group Picnic Area, please fill out the Salida East Group Picnic Site Rental Request Form.
- Commercial Boaters: Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Activities and Amenities:
- Fishing Access
- River Access
- Camping
- Restroom
Activities and Amenities:
- Dispersed Camping
- Fishing Access
- River Access
- Restroom
Activities and Amenities:
- Dispersed Camping
- Fishing Access
- River Access
- Restroom
Point Barr is located approximately 4.7 miles east of Salida on US Highway 50 at mile marker 227. Turn left (north) onto Fremont CR 7 (turns to CR 45 after approximately one mile). Follow CR 45 for 1.5 miles. After the railroad trestle, turn left (east). The campground is 0.75 miles ahead.
- Commercial Boaters: Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Caution: CR 45 is a dirt road with narrow, single-lane stretches. The road makes a tight turn under a railroad trestle (12' 3" high x 10' 6" wide). Trailering is technical but is possible up to a 15' trailer, depending on trailering skill. This loop is not accessible in a motorhome. We do not recommend accessing Point Barr from the east (4WD with water crossing).
Activities and Amenities:
- Camping
- Fishing Access
- Hiking
- Horse/Bike Trail
- Picnic Tables / Grills
- Restroom
- River Access
- Fee Site
Campsite Information:
Point Barr campground offers 12 basic sites at $28.00 dollars per night.
- Picnic Table / Grill
- Tent Pad
- Vault Toilet
- Potable Water
- RV Hook-ups
- Trash Cans
Reservations can be made online at www.cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Mining Information:
Point Barr Placer Area Permits are available for purchase from the AHRA Visitor Center at $30.00 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 the park office at 719-539-7289. For questions regarding mining claims, please contact the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office at 719-269-8500.
- Commercial Boaters: Not Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Activities and Amenities:
- Dispersed Camping
- Fishing Access
- River Access
- Restroom
This site is conveniently located off Hwy 50. Some of the best fishing along the river is found up and down river from Rincon. It is also a takeout for boaters wanting a more mellow float.
- Commercial Boaters: Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Activities and Amenities:
- Boat Ramp/Slide
- Camping
- Changing Facilities
- Fishing Access
- Parking
- Picnic Tables / Grills
- Restroom
- River Access
- Fee Site
Campsite Information:
Rincon campground offers 8 basic sites at $28.00 dollars per night. Campsite 1204HA is accessible.
- Changing Facilities
- Picnic Table / Grill
- Tent Pad
- Vault Toilets
- Potable Water
- RV Hook-ups
- Trash Cans
Reservations can be made online at www.cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Activities and Amenities:
- Dispersed Camping
- Fishing Access
- River Access
- Restroom
Vallie Bridge is located in Bighorn Sheep Canyon and is a peaceful respite for overnight river trips, as well as tent campers traveling through the valley.
- Commercial Boaters: Allowed
- River Flow Class: between Class II and Class V rapids
- Float Skill Level: Beginner, novice or advanced
Caution: The Vallie Bridge campground is boat-in/walk-in only. There is no vehicle access directly to the campsites. Campsites are located 10-60 yards from the vehicle unloading areas.
Activities and Amenities:
- Boat Ramp/Slide
- Camping
- Changing Facilities
- Fishing Access
- Picnic Tables / Grills
- Restroom
- River Access
- Fee
- Accessible Fishing Pier
Campsite Information:
Vallie Bridge campground offers 16 tent-only sites at $28.00 dollars per night.
- Picnic Table / Grill
- Tent Pad
- Vault Toilet
- Potable Water
- RV Hook-ups
- Trash Cans
Reservations can be made online at www.cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Camping
Camping at Salida East
Salida East has developed campsites available for $28.00 per night. A yurt is also available for weekend reservations.
Camping at Point Barr
Point Barr has developed campsites available for $28.00 per night.
Camping at Rincon
Rincon has developed campsites available for $28.00 per night.
Vallie Bridge
Vallie Bridge has developed campsites available for $28.00 per night.
You can reserve any campsite online at www.cpwshop.com or by calling 1-800-244-5613.
Dispersed camping is also available at other select sites between Salida and Vallie Bridge and on federal land.
Two people assembling a tent at a campsite.
- Changing Area
- Grill
- Picnic Table
- Tent Pad
- Vault Toilet
- Potable Water
- RV Hook-ups
- Trash Cans
Dispersed camping is available throughout the AHRA outside of developed campgrounds and day-use areas. Popular locations include Granite Rock, Stone Cabin, Rapid Number 4, The Wall, Rapid Number 5 1/2, Boulderfield, Rapid Number 6, Riverside, Elephant Rock, Tunnelview, Five 1/2 Points, Texas Creek, Lazy J, Bootlegger, Red Wall, and at Brown’s Canyon National Monument.
All dispersed camping is first come, first served. Camps cannot be left unattended for more than 24 hours.
Camping outside of a developed campground does not include any amenities so campers will need to:
- Bring a portable toilet device.
- Use a fire container if having a fire and follow local fire restrictions (see links under the "Use Fire Containers, Follow Fire Restrictions" tab below)
- Camping is limited to 14 days in any 28 day period.
For camping on forest land, contact the USFS Salida Ranger District, or for camping on Bureau of Land Management Land or information on Browns Canyon National Monument contact the Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office.
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is comprised of over 6,000 acres of public lands, owned by and cooperatively managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the United States Forest Service (USFS).
It is the recreator's responsibility to know what land they are on, and the rules and regulations tied to those lands. Private landowners are not required to post signs.
In addition to traditional paper maps, there are online tools and phone apps to help you locate and access public lands around the AHRA. Some popular tools include:
- COTREX - The Colorado Trail Explorer: Search for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
- The Colorado Hunting Atlas
- Map apps including OnX and Avenza Maps
- Paper maps, such as those sold in the AHRA Visitor Center
- Maps and Publications offered by the US Forest Service
Within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, fire containers must have at least a two-inch rigid side and must be elevated up off the ground. Always check for local fire restrictions before building a fire. Know what land you are recreating on and follow the rules for that area:
Permits for collecting firewood on Bureau of Land Management land within the AHRA are only available on the BLM Royal Gorge Field Office website.
US Forest Service firewood collecting permits are available from the Salida Ranger District Office.