| Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area | |
|---|---|
 Recreation Area office sign in Salida | |
  | |
| Location | Chaffee /Fremont /Lake /Pueblo counties,Colorado,USA |
| Nearest city | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38°32′16″N105°59′33″W / 38.53778°N 105.99250°W /38.53778; -105.99250 |
| Area | 6,193 acres (25.06 km2) |
| Established | 1998 |
| Visitors | 1.2 million (in 2023[1]) |
| Governing body | Colorado Parks and Wildlife Bureau of Land Management United States Forest Service |
TheArkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is astate park in Colorado, U.S. The park is jointly administered byColorado Parks and Wildlife, theBureau of Land Management, and theUnited States Forest Service. The park's joint headquarters and visitor center is inSalida, Colorado.
The recreation area stretches along theArkansas River for approximately 148 miles (238 kilometers) fromLeadville, Colorado to thePueblo Reservoir nearPueblo West, Colorado. The area includes more than 25 developed recreation sites and fishingeasements along the river adjacent toU.S. Highway 24 /U.S. Highway 285 and adjacent toU.S. Highway 50. The recreation area includes sections in and near the Colorado towns ofBuena Vista,Salida,Cañon City andFlorence. The recreation area includes parts ofBrowns Canyon National Monument, established in 2015. The national monument is accessible through the recreation area's Ruby Mountain and Hecla Junction river sites. In a 152-mile (245-kilometer) stretch that includes the recreation area, the Arkansas River decreases 4,650 feet (1,420 meters) in elevation.[2][3]
Chief among the activities available in the park iswhitewater rafting down the Arkansas River. Most river rafters choose to hire local commercialoutfitters to supply rafts and guides to manage their rafting trips. The recreation area is one of the country's most popular rafting sites. The rapids range fromClass II to Class V. Additional activities include fishing, picnicking, hiking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, mountain biking, camping andOHV riding.[2][3] Other activities include kayaking, boating,gold panning, rock climbing,snowmobiling, and ice fishing.[4]
Visitors are subject to Colorado State Park Fees. As of 2024, the fees are $10 per day per vehicle and $4 per day per person for any non-vehicle access to the recreation area (for example, walking, bicycling, riding a horse). Yearly passes are also available for purchase. The area includes about six established campgrounds, anddispersed camping is allowed in some areas with certain restrictions. Camping fees are charged in addition to visitor fees.[5][6]
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