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Firewood Notice: PLEASE DO NOT BRING FIREWOOD FROM OUT OF STATE!
If you are planning to camp during an upcoming trip to Colorado, please help protect our public lands by buying local firewood near your destination campground. Firewood can spread harmful insect pests and diseases. If you have brought firewood from another state, please contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture immediately for instructions on how to dispose of it.

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ARKANSAS HEADWATERS, CO

Description

Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area (AHRA) is one of the nation's premier recreation areas. AHRA operates six campgrounds with 102 sites. The area offers abundant and outstanding opportunities for fishing, rafting, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking and sightseeing among deep canyons, broad valleys, and towering mountain peaks. All AHRA campgrounds are on the Arkansas River and have boat ramps for raft and kayak access with the exception of Five Points.

Services & Amenities:

Within Facility
  • Biking
  • Bird Watching
  • Boat Launch
  • Boat Launch Ramp
  • Boat Ramp
  • Comfort Station
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Historical Site(S)
  • Horseback Riding
  • Interpretitive Programs
  • Motorized Trails
  • Natural Shade
  • Parking
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Ranger Station
  • Visitor Center
  • White Water Rafting
  • Wildlife Watching Opportunity

Alerts and Important Information

***IMPORTANT BOATERS - NO MOTOR CRAFT IS PERMITTED ON THE RIVER*** The sites provide vault toilets, tent pads, grills and tables. No firewood or water is available at these sites, bring your own. **In addition to the camping fee, a daily vehicle pass of $6.00 per vehicle, OR a daily individual parks pass of $3.00 per person (16 years of age and older) if entering AHRA in a manner other than a motor vehicle (boat, by foot, bicycle, etc.), OR a valid Colorado State Parks annual pass is required. The $6 vehicle OR $3 individual daily pass is to be purchased upon arrival to the campground.** ***Shade may be naturally provided by trees and other vegetation. Please call the park for specific details.*** All campgrounds are open 365 days a year, barring inclement weather.All campsites are now at $14.00 per night per site. All AHRA campgrounds are on the Arkansas River and have boat ramps for raft and kayak access.<b>All RV sites also have tent pads.<b>

Getting There:

Arkansas Headwaters
307 W SACKETT AVE
Salida CO 81201

RAILROAD BRIDGE CAMPGROUND is 6 miles north of Buena Vista and can be accessed one of two ways from U.S. Highway 24. The first way is RECOMMENDED IF YOU HAVE AN R.V. OR TRAILER. Take U.S. Highway 24 in the Town of Buena Vista. Turn east at the only stop light in town, cross the railroad tracks and go two more blocks to N. Colorado Avenue and turn left. This will turn into Chaffee County Road 371, which is dirt and narrow in places. Drive 6.2 miles from where you turned onto Colorado Avenue to Railroad Bridge Campground. The second way is located between mile markers 201 and 202 AND IS NOT RECOMMEMDED FOR R.VS OR VEHICLES WITH TRAILERS. Turn east on to Chaffee County Road 371, cross the Arkansas River and turn right. Drive 3.1 miles to Railroad Bridge Campground on a very narrow dirt road with a 25 mph speed limit and pullouts and allows oncoming traffic to pass by.

RUBY MOUNTAIN CAMPGROUND is 6 miles south of Buena Vista and is accessed from U.S. Highway 285 between mile markers 144 and 145. The turn off is south of the junction at Johnsons Village of U.S. Highway 24 and U.S. Highway 285. Turn to the East on to Chaffee County Road 301. Cross the river on County Road 301, go to the end of the pavement and turn right onto County Road 300. Drive 2.4 miles to the Ruby Mountain Campground. Caution should be used at the Fish Hatchery, as the road is a very narrow single lane with a 15 mph speed limit.

HECLA JUNCTION CAMPGROUND is 14 miles northwest of Salida and is accessed from U.S. Highway 285 between mile markers 135 and 136. Turn east onto Chaffee County Road 194 drive 2.4 miles to Hecla Junction Campground. Caution, this is a narrow, steep (12% grade) dirt road, with a lot of traffic in the summer, and low gear is recommended on the descent.

RINCON CAMPGROUND is 8 miles east of Salida and is accessed off of U.S. Highway 50 at mile marker 231 between the towns of Swissvale and Howard. It is located on the north side of the highway in a very curvy section.

VALLIE BRIDGE CAMPGROUND is 2 miles west of Coaldale and is accessed from U.S. Highway 50 at mile marker 239. Turn north onto Fremont County Road 45, cross the river and park in the day use site on your left. Please note this is a BOAT IN/WALK IN ONLY campground and you will have to pack in your equipment. Walk in distance to the campsites is 150-200 ft.

FIVE POINTS CAMPGROUND is 20 miles west of Canon City and is accessed from U.S. Highway 50 at mile marker 260. The campground is on the south side of the highway and the day use area is on the north side.

Phone Park for More Information:

Project Office: (719)539-7289