Arkansas River Guide
Things to Do Along the Arkansas River
From whitewater rafting and gold-medal fishing to hot springs, hiking, biking, camping, climbing, scenic drives, and mountain towns, the Arkansas River Valley is one of Colorado’s best outdoor playgrounds.
Outdoor Guide
Explore by Activity
Use this page as a starting point for planning your Arkansas River trip. Each activity connects to river sections, nearby towns, public lands, outfitters, campgrounds, trailheads, and scenic places worth exploring.
Whitewater
Rafting
The Arkansas River is Colorado’s most popular rafting river, with family floats, scenic canyon trips, Browns Canyon, and advanced whitewater sections.
Explore Rafting
On the Water
Fishing
Cast through miles of public water, freestone riffles, pocket water, and productive trout habitat from Leadville through Buena Vista, Salida, and beyond.
Explore Fishing
Stay Outside
Camping
Find riverside campgrounds, public land camping, mountain sites, RV parks, and basecamp options near Buena Vista, Nathrop, Salida, Leadville, and Cañon City.
Explore Camping
Trails
Hiking
Explore canyon trails, alpine lakes, high mountain passes, Fourteeners, desert-style terrain, and easy walks near the river.
Explore Hiking
Two Wheels
Biking
Ride everything from mellow riverside paths to technical singletrack, gravel routes, and mountain biking systems near Salida and Buena Vista.
Explore Biking
Rock & Granite
Climbing
Granite crags, canyon walls, bouldering areas, and classic climbing zones make the Arkansas River Valley a strong destination for climbers.
Explore Climbing
Relax
Hot Springs
Soak after a river trip or mountain adventure at hot springs near Buena Vista, Nathrop, Salida, and the Chalk Creek Valley.
Explore Hot Springs
Road Trips
Scenic Drives
Follow mountain passes, river roads, historic highways, and big-view routes connecting Leadville, Buena Vista, Salida, and Cañon City.
Explore Scenic Drives
Backroads
Offroad
Discover Jeep roads, OHV routes, forest roads, mining history, and high-country routes throughout the upper Arkansas River Valley.
Explore OffroadPlan by Region
Every part of the river has a different feel.
The upper Arkansas River Valley changes quickly as you travel downstream. Leadville feels alpine and historic. Buena Vista and Nathrop are central basecamps for rafting, hot springs, camping, and mountain trails. Salida adds arts, food, biking, fishing, and river-town culture. Cañon City brings warmer weather, canyon scenery, climbing, rafting, and the Royal Gorge.
Explore Towns
Trip Ideas
Popular Ways to Build a Weekend
Raft, Soak & Camp
Spend the day on the river, soak at a nearby hot spring, then camp under the stars near Buena Vista, Nathrop, or Salida.
Fish, Hike & Explore Town
Start with a morning on the river, hike a nearby trail, then grab dinner, coffee, or live music in one of the Arkansas River towns.
Scenic Drive & Hot Springs
Take a slower day with mountain passes, river overlooks, historic stops, and a relaxing soak before sunset.
Arkansas River Country
One river. A whole lot of ways to explore.
Start with an activity, choose a town, then build your trip around the river, mountains, public lands, and small communities that make this part of Colorado special.
Start Planning