Access Site
CO
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Arkansas River • Salida Ditch • Williams-Hamm Ditch
Source: colorado_parks_and_wildlife Updated 1 year ago
City: Salida, CO
County: Chaffee County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 38.61185726, -106.06317701
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
II-III
Put-in
Arkansas - 06. Stone Bridge to Salida
Current Conditions
--
• 300.00-5000.00 cfs
Arkansas River near Nathrop, 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
II-III
Put-in at this location
06. Stone Bridge to Salida
9.5 mi
III
Take-out at this location
05. Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access
13.0 mi
31 ft/mi
II(III)
Downstream from here (7.2 mi to put-in)
07. Salida to Rincon
10.0 mi
II-III
Downstream from here (16.7 mi to put-in)
08. Rincon to Pinnacle Rock
19.5 mi
III
Downstream from here (33.8 mi to put-in)
09. Pinnacle Rock Launch to Parkdale Launch
17.2 mi
33 ft/mi
III-IV(V)
Downstream from here (47.2 mi to put-in)
10. Parkdale Launch to Canon City (Royal Gorge)
10.0 mi
46 ft/mi
III
Upstream from here (10.9 mi from take-out)
04. Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge
6.7 mi
III
Upstream from here (16.7 mi from take-out)
03. Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista
6.7 mi
44 ft/mi
IV
Upstream from here (22.7 mi from take-out)
02. Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge Launch
6.4 mi
71 ft/mi
IV-V
Upstream from here (28.6 mi from take-out)
01. Granite to Numbers Launch Site
5.1 mi
58 ft/mi
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
I-II
58 mi away
11. Centennial Park to Mackenzie Takeout
4.0 mi
I
62 mi away
12. MacKenzie Bridge to Florence River Park
6.8 mi
I
70 mi away
13. Florence to Pueblo Reservoir
18.0 mi
I
96 mi away
14. State Park to Play Park
7.3 mi
II+
102 mi away
15. W 4th Ave Bridge to S Union Ave Bridge
0.5 mi
III
716 mi away
Tulsa Wave (PnP)
0.1 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Salida, Colorado provides public access to one of the state's premier rivers for kayaking, canoeing, and boating. This section of the mighty Arkansas River is a major waterway, stretching over 1,200 miles from its headwaters to the Mississippi River. With an average flow of over 51,000 cubic feet per second and a total elevation drop of nearly 10,000 feet, the Arkansas River offers an exciting and challenging whitewater experience.
The boat ramp at this access site allows easy put-in and take-out for paddlers and small motorized craft. Nearby, the Salida Whitewater Park features a popular kayak play-hole and slalom course. Downstream, the river flows into the rugged Bighorn Sheep Canyon, with its granite walls, deep pools, and gravel bars. Visitors to the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area can also explore the nearby Browns Canyon National Monument for additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Remember to recreate responsibly and follow all relevant regulations when enjoying this scenic and wild stretch of the Arkansas River.
The boat ramp at this access site allows easy put-in and take-out for paddlers and small motorized craft. Nearby, the Salida Whitewater Park features a popular kayak play-hole and slalom course. Downstream, the river flows into the rugged Bighorn Sheep Canyon, with its granite walls, deep pools, and gravel bars. Visitors to the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area can also explore the nearby Browns Canyon National Monument for additional outdoor recreation opportunities. Remember to recreate responsibly and follow all relevant regulations when enjoying this scenic and wild stretch of the Arkansas River.
Nearby Recreation Areas
Browns Canyon National Monument
Located within
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Located within
PSICC
Located within