Access Site
CO
Buena Vista State Wildlife Area
Arkansas River • Fourmile Creek • Helena Ditch
Source: colorado_parks_and_wildlife Updated 1 year ago
City: Buena Vista, CO
County: Chaffee County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 38.84724259, -106.12220635
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Run
III
Put-in
Arkansas - 04. Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge
Current Conditions
--
• 300.00-5000.00 cfs
Arkansas River near Nathrop, CO
Whitewater Runs on Arkansas River
16 runs (9 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
Put-in at this location
04. Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge
6.7 mi
III
Take-out at this location
03. Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista
6.7 mi
44 ft/mi
III
Downstream from here (5.9 mi to put-in)
05. Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access
13.0 mi
31 ft/mi
II-III
Downstream from here (16.7 mi to put-in)
06. Stone Bridge to Salida
9.5 mi
II(III)
Downstream from here (23.3 mi to put-in)
07. Salida to Rincon
10.0 mi
II-III
Downstream from here (31.4 mi to put-in)
08. Rincon to Pinnacle Rock
19.5 mi
III
Downstream from here (46.5 mi to put-in)
09. Pinnacle Rock Launch to Parkdale Launch
17.2 mi
33 ft/mi
IV
Upstream from here (6.2 mi from take-out)
02. Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge Launch
6.4 mi
71 ft/mi
IV-V
Upstream from here (12.2 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.
III-IV(V)
56 mi away
10. Parkdale Launch to Canon City (Royal Gorge)
10.0 mi
46 ft/mi
I-II
67 mi away
11. Centennial Park to Mackenzie Takeout
4.0 mi
I
71 mi away
12. MacKenzie Bridge to Florence River Park
6.8 mi
I
79 mi away
13. Florence to Pueblo Reservoir
18.0 mi
I
105 mi away
14. State Park to Play Park
7.3 mi
II+
111 mi away
15. W 4th Ave Bridge to S Union Ave Bridge
0.5 mi
III
724 mi away
Tulsa Wave (PnP)
0.1 mi
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
Buena Vista State Wildlife Area provides access to the Arkansas River in the heart of central Colorado's mountain valley region. The Arkansas River at this location is a major waterway with significant flow and gradient, making it suitable primarily for experienced paddlers and boaters. The site's elevation of approximately 7,965 feet puts it in the scenic Rocky Mountain landscape near the town of Buena Vista, offering access to one of Colorado's most popular river sections for recreation.
The Arkansas River at this access point carries an average flow of over 51,000 cubic feet per second with an average velocity of 6.58 feet per second, creating dynamic water conditions that require skill and experience to navigate safely. The river maintains an average gradient of 7.9 feet per mile through this region, indicating moderate to strong current conditions. Paddlers and boaters using this access should be comfortable with moving water and familiar with reading current patterns and potential obstacles.
This location serves as a gateway to the Arkansas River corridor, one of Colorado's most-visited paddling and boating destinations. The area combines wildlife habitat management with recreational access, offering opportunities for multiple water-based activities. Given the river's size and flow characteristics, this access point is best suited for kayakers, canoeists, and boaters with intermediate to advanced skills rather than beginners.
The Arkansas River at this access point carries an average flow of over 51,000 cubic feet per second with an average velocity of 6.58 feet per second, creating dynamic water conditions that require skill and experience to navigate safely. The river maintains an average gradient of 7.9 feet per mile through this region, indicating moderate to strong current conditions. Paddlers and boaters using this access should be comfortable with moving water and familiar with reading current patterns and potential obstacles.
This location serves as a gateway to the Arkansas River corridor, one of Colorado's most-visited paddling and boating destinations. The area combines wildlife habitat management with recreational access, offering opportunities for multiple water-based activities. Given the river's size and flow characteristics, this access point is best suited for kayakers, canoeists, and boaters with intermediate to advanced skills rather than beginners.