Arkansas River

America Outdoors outfitters offer whitewater rafting adventures on the Arkansas River in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in Colorado, as well as in Colorado's State Parks.  Kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping and mountain biking are also provided by the outfitters.

The Arkansas River, which fittingly flows through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, offers many miles of thrilling white water rafting which attract river enthusiasts from all over the world. The Arkansas River drops 5,000 feet in its first 125 miles from its headwaters in the Colorado Rockies near the Continental Divide to the plains near Cañon City, Colorado. Steep rocky gradient makes for excellent white water rafting and the mountainous scenery contains some fascinating geology. This part of the Arkansas River as it flows through Buena Vista and Salida is America's most popular white water river. The Arkansas River will host close to half a million boaters annually.

The Arkansas River offers a wide variety of white water rafting trips of various lengths and difficulties. There are rafting trips suitable for families with small children as well as exciting white water trips for seasoned pros on the different sections of the Arkansas River.

SECTIONS:

• UPPER BIGHORN SHEEP CANYON - Continuously moving water occasionally punctuated by mild rapids characterizes the action in this picturesque section of the river. This section of the Arkansas River is located just downstream of the town of Salida, Colorado and contains class III and IV rapids.
• BROWNS CANYON -  As America's most popular whitewater rafting destination, the character of this section is challenging to seasoned rafters, yet forgiving enough for first time rafters. As America's most popular whitewater rafting destination, the character of this section is challenging to seasoned rafters, yet forgiving enough for first time rafters. Most of the large rapids in Browns Canyon are followed by a calm pool of slow moving water allowing an opportunity to either catch a quick breath of fresh mountain air or take a picture of the unique granite rock formations set off against the clear blue Colorado sky.
• NARROWS EXPRESS - The Narrows Express offers high mileage, nonstop action, especially at high water. Here, the thrill is in successfully making the technical moves between boulders in fast, choppy water. The Arkansas River Narrows are lined with more lush vegetation than other sections of the river and offers great views of Buena Vista's snow covered 14,000' Collegiate Peaks.
• NUMBERS - Numbers is one of the preferred training and competition runs of many world class kayakers, and it also makes for a world class raft trip.  Extremely rocky, this steep and very technical series of drops requires pinpoint precision paddling. Be prepared to make radical maneuvers as you punch powerful hydraulics and make lateral raft moves to thread the needle in boulder-choked drops. If you have time to look around you, the views of the 14,000 foot Collegiate Peaks are awe inspiring.
• ROYAL GORGE - The Royal Gorge is known for its big and powerful drops. Sheer walls, over 1000 feet high, channel the river into narrow, powerful rapids where the views are awe inspiring-if you have the time to look!