Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not postedOpen 24 hours
- Entrance fee
- $10 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- cpw.state.co.us719-539-7289
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is a recreation area in Chaffee County, in Salida.
The park supports rock climbing, off-highway vehicle riding, horseback riding, boating, and biking. Water access includes a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Open 24 hours | ||
| Visitor center | Mon–Fri | 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Park: Open 24 hours a day, year-round Visitor Center: Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Closed Sat.-Sun.
The AHRA Visitor Center is located in downtown Salida at the corner of G St and Sackett Ave. Visitors will find books and memorabilia in the gift shop, may purchase licenses and passes, and can register recreational vehicles.
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
If you have questions, please call us at 719-539-7289 or email us at [email protected].
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $10 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $15 · day |
| Daily Vehicle Pass | $4 · day |
Official wording
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15 Individual Daily Pass: $4
Colorado park passes
- Keep Colorado Wild Pass — $29. Annual vehicle entry for Colorado residents, bought with DMV vehicle registration Details
- Individual Annual Pass — $29. Non-vehicle entry (foot, bike, horse) for passholder plus three accompanying visitors; resident or nonresident Details
- Family Annual Pass (hang tag) — $120. One household; transferable between vehicles Details
- Annual Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass — $80. One vehicle; resident or nonresident Details
- Aspen Leaf Pass — $70. Colorado residents 64+, vehicle registered in Colorado; $3/night camping discount Sun–Thu Details
From the Colorado state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- CPWshop (Aspira/Brandt reservation platform)
- Phone
- 1-800-244-5613
Camping is allowed by reservation only at all AHRA developed campgrounds.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Animals permitted: Leashed Dogs, Service Animals
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
Our campgrounds are spread throughout our 152-mile-long park along Highways 24, 285 and 50.
Camping is allowed by reservation only at all AHRA developed campgrounds. Reservations may be made on the day of arrival or up to six months in advance. Advance reservations are recommended due to demand and spotty cellular/data service throughout the AHRA.
Dispersed camping is also available along the Arkansas River. Dispersed campers in these areas must provide their own portable toilet device that is designed to carry human waste, and they must have their own fire container if having a fire. Rock fire rings are prohibited. Stays are limited to 14 days in any 28 day period.
Reserve Now
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Stay in Style
Leave your tent at home and enjoy a scenic riverside escape at the rustic off-grid Salida East yurt, conveniently located just minutes from town. It's the perfect home base for your next mountain adventure.
Salida East Yurt outside amenities outside - including 2 picnic tables, shade shelter, fire pit/grill, bear-proof container & cement walk
Salida East yurt amenities outside looking from the side
Salida East Yurt amenities inside - including fold-out couch, bunk beds, 2 tables, 2 chairs, rug, bookshelf, door
Salida East Yurt amenities inside
Things to do
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHorseback ridingOff-highway vehiclesPicnickingRock climbingWildlife viewing and birding
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Visitor center
- Parking
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Primitive or backcountry camping
Recreation
- Horse trails
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible campsites
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible campsites
Accessible facilities listed: Accessible Parking, Accessible Restrooms, Accessible Campsite
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 307 West Sackett Ave.
Salida, CO 81201-1654 - Nearest town
- Salida
- Coordinates
- 38.5378, -105.9924
- Phone
- 719-539-7289
- ahra@state.co.us
Google Maps directionsApple MapsOfficial park map (PDF)
Directions from the park
Directions Park Office 307 West Sackett Ave. Salida, CO, 81201 The park office is located in downtown Salida at the corner of G St and Sackett Ave. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed for lunch 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Closed weekends. Unlike most other Colorado State Parks, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area does not have one set of driving directions to get to the park. This is because the AHRA park is a linear recreation area that follows the Arkansas River for 152 miles from the high mountains near Leadville, Colorado, to Lake Pueblo, on the edge of Colorado’s plains, and there are several highways and roads entering the valley. Under the River Sections page, see the Leadville to Buena Vista, Buena Vista to Salida, Salida to Vallie Bridge, Vallie Bridge to Parkdale, Parkdale to Cañon City, and Cañon City to Lake Pueblo pages for directions.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Colorado State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jun 29, 2026
- CPW website Drupal JSON:API, node type state_park (43 published nodes; same store that renders /state-parks/{slug})
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology