Access Site
CO
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
City: Parkdale, CO
County: Fremont County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 38.48649494, -105.38950995
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
III-IV(V)
Put-in
Arkansas - 10. Parkdale Launch to Canon City (Royal Gorge)
10.0 mi • 46 ft/mi
Current Conditions
--
• 300.00-3200.00 cfs
Arkansas River at Parkdale, Co.
Whitewater Runs on Arkansas River
16 runs (10 nearby)Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Position relative to this access site:
Put-in at this location
This location is on the run
Take-out at this location
Downstream from here Upstream from here
Downstream from here Upstream from here
III-IV(V)
Put-in at this location
10. Parkdale Launch to Canon City (Royal Gorge)
10.0 mi
46 ft/mi
III
Take-out at this location
09. Pinnacle Rock Launch to Parkdale Launch
17.2 mi
33 ft/mi
I-II
Downstream from here (10.7 mi to put-in)
11. Centennial Park to Mackenzie Takeout
4.0 mi
I
Downstream from here (15.2 mi to put-in)
12. MacKenzie Bridge to Florence River Park
6.8 mi
I
Downstream from here (22.8 mi to put-in)
13. Florence to Pueblo Reservoir
18.0 mi
I
Downstream from here (48.7 mi to put-in)
14. State Park to Play Park
7.3 mi
II-III
Upstream from here (17.5 mi from take-out)
08. Rincon to Pinnacle Rock
19.5 mi
II(III)
Upstream from here (32.9 mi from take-out)
07. Salida to Rincon
10.0 mi
II-III
Upstream from here (41.6 mi from take-out)
06. Stone Bridge to Salida
9.5 mi
III
Upstream from here (47.3 mi from take-out)
05. Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access
13.0 mi
31 ft/mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
III
52 mi away
04. Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge
6.7 mi
II+
55 mi away
15. W 4th Ave Bridge to S Union Ave Bridge
0.5 mi
III
56 mi away
03. Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista
6.7 mi
44 ft/mi
IV
62 mi away
02. Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge Launch
6.4 mi
71 ft/mi
IV-V
67 mi away
01. Granite to Numbers Launch Site
5.1 mi
58 ft/mi
III
669 mi away
Tulsa Wave (PnP)
0.1 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Parkdale boat ramp provides public access to the Arkansas River before it enters the challenging Class V whitewater of the Royal Gorge. This is a popular put-in for paddlers and boaters accessing the calmer waters of the upper Arkansas River.
The Arkansas River is a major waterway, draining over 133,000 square miles. It has an average flow of over 51,000 cubic feet per second and an average gradient of 7.9 feet per mile, making it a substantial and swift-moving river. Paddlers should be prepared for the river's size and power, particularly as it approaches the Royal Gorge downstream.
There are no fees to access the Parkdale site. Basic facilities like parking are provided, but no other developed recreation amenities are present. Paddlers and boaters should plan accordingly and practice Leave No Trace principles when using this access point. Nearby public lands, including the Garden Park Fossil Area, offer additional recreation opportunities in the region.
The Arkansas River is a major waterway, draining over 133,000 square miles. It has an average flow of over 51,000 cubic feet per second and an average gradient of 7.9 feet per mile, making it a substantial and swift-moving river. Paddlers should be prepared for the river's size and power, particularly as it approaches the Royal Gorge downstream.
There are no fees to access the Parkdale site. Basic facilities like parking are provided, but no other developed recreation amenities are present. Paddlers and boaters should plan accordingly and practice Leave No Trace principles when using this access point. Nearby public lands, including the Garden Park Fossil Area, offer additional recreation opportunities in the region.
Federal Facility Information
719-269-8500
Free Access
Dinosaur Flats contains an area open to target shooting with six defined lanes. In addition, the drive to the highest points along the ridge has several scenic overlooks. Pinon-juniper woodlands are the predominant trees growing in the rocky area. For more information, please contact the Royal Gorge Field Office.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Garden Park Fossil Area
Located within
Shelf Road Sites
Located within
Texas Creek
Located within
Gold Belt Recreation Management Area
Located within