Arkansas River Guide Navigation
  • Explore the River
  • Towns
    River towns

    Find your basecamp.

    Explore the main towns and smaller communities along Colorado’s Arkansas River corridor.

    See all towns→

    Upper River

    location_cityLeadvilleHigh-country history and alpine access.→landscapeTwin LakesLakes, passes and mountain scenery.→wavesGranite→

    Central River

    location_cityBuena VistaWhitewater, hot springs and the Collegiate Peaks.→location_cityNathropBrowns Canyon, Chalk Creek and hot springs.→location_citySalidaDowntown river access, trails, food and arts.→

    Lower River

    location_cityCañon CityRoyal Gorge country and lower-elevation exploring.→landscapeCotopaxi→
    • Leadville
    • Granite
    • Twin Lakes
    • Buena Vista
    • Nathrop
    • Salida
    • Cotopaxi
    • Canon City
  • Activities
    Things to do

    Build the trip your way.

    Get on the river, head into the high country or slow down at a hot spring.

    See all activities→
    On the water
    kayaking

    Rafting

    Whitewater and scenic floats.

    Explore →
    On the water
    phishing

    Fishing

    River and alpine fishing.

    Explore →
    On land
    hiking

    Hiking

    Trails, canyons and high country.

    Explore →
    Stay outside
    camping

    Camping

    River and mountain campsites.

    Explore →
    Slow down
    hot_tub

    Hot Springs

    Natural hot springs along the corridor.

    Explore →
    Explore farther
    route

    Scenic Drives

    Mountain passes and canyon roads.

    Explore →
    • Rafting
    • Fishing
    • Hiking
    • Camping
    • Biking
    • Climbing
    • Off Road
    • Scenic Drives
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Guides
  • Search
  • Explore the River
  • Towns
    River towns

    Find your basecamp.

    Explore the main towns and smaller communities along Colorado’s Arkansas River corridor.

    See all towns→

    Upper River

    location_cityLeadvilleHigh-country history and alpine access.→landscapeTwin LakesLakes, passes and mountain scenery.→wavesGranite→

    Central River

    location_cityBuena VistaWhitewater, hot springs and the Collegiate Peaks.→location_cityNathropBrowns Canyon, Chalk Creek and hot springs.→location_citySalidaDowntown river access, trails, food and arts.→

    Lower River

    location_cityCañon CityRoyal Gorge country and lower-elevation exploring.→landscapeCotopaxi→
    • Leadville
    • Granite
    • Twin Lakes
    • Buena Vista
    • Nathrop
    • Salida
    • Cotopaxi
    • Canon City
  • Activities
    Things to do

    Build the trip your way.

    Get on the river, head into the high country or slow down at a hot spring.

    See all activities→
    On the water
    kayaking

    Rafting

    Whitewater and scenic floats.

    Explore →
    On the water
    phishing

    Fishing

    River and alpine fishing.

    Explore →
    On land
    hiking

    Hiking

    Trails, canyons and high country.

    Explore →
    Stay outside
    camping

    Camping

    River and mountain campsites.

    Explore →
    Slow down
    hot_tub

    Hot Springs

    Natural hot springs along the corridor.

    Explore →
    Explore farther
    route

    Scenic Drives

    Mountain passes and canyon roads.

    Explore →
    • Rafting
    • Fishing
    • Hiking
    • Camping
    • Biking
    • Climbing
    • Off Road
    • Scenic Drives
  • Plan Your Trip
  • Guides
  • Search

Category Archive

Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Camping”

Why Chalk Creek Campground Is One of the Most Convenient Basecamps in the Arkansas River Valley

When people plan a camping trip to Colorado’s Arkansas River Valley, they often focus on finding the perfect campsite. What many visitors don’t realize is that where you camp can have a huge impact on how much time you actually spend enjoying the area. Located in Nathrop between Salida and Buena Vista, Chalk Creek Campground makes an ideal basecamp for …

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Arkansas River Guide

Colorado River Country

Follow the river.

A field guide to the Arkansas River Valley, from high-country headwaters to canyon country.

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River Towns River Map Browns Canyon

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Pick an area, understand the river, then build the rest of the trip around it.

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ARKANSAS RIVER GUIDE ©MMXXVI

Leadville to Cañon City, Colorado