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Valley conditions right now
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The Arkansas is one of the most rafted rivers in the country, and the stretch from Granite to Cañon City has a run for everyone. Colorado Parks and Wildlife manages 152 miles of it as the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), headquartered right here in Salida.
- Browns Canyon (Class III to IV): the classic. Part of Browns Canyon National Monument, designated in February 2015 and covering about 21,600 acres between Nathrop and Salida. Busiest stretch on the river.
- The Numbers (Class III to IV): continuous technical water above Buena Vista. A step up from Browns.
- Pine Creek (Class V to VI): experts only. The narrow canyon below Granite is serious at any flow.
- Salida to Vallie Bridge, Bighorn Sheep Canyon (Class II to III): mellow scenic floats east of town, good for first-timers and families.
- Royal Gorge (Class V): Parkdale to Cañon City. Big, pushy water under the bridge.
- Salida Whitewater Park: about 1,200 feet of river downtown with four engineered features for surfing, kayaking and SUP. Spectators line the banks by Riverside Park on summer evenings. Our shop is a block away.
- Tubing: most people float the short stretch through the whitewater park and walk back up. July and August, after peak runoff, are the best months.
Runoff usually peaks late May into mid June. In big snow years the river is cold, fast and high. Through July and mid August a voluntary flow program aims to keep at least 700 cfs at Wellsville, which is why rafting holds up into late summer.
Know before you go
- Inside the AHRA, tubers, commercial boaters and every kid under 13 must wear a life jacket, including in the Salida, Buena Vista and Cañon City whitewater parks.
- Private boaters must carry a life jacket for every person. Statewide, kids 12 and under wear one at all times, and kayaks and SUPs count as boats.
- AHRA sites need a CPW park pass: a daily vehicle pass, a walk-in pass or an annual pass.
- Snowmelt is cold even in August, and afternoon storms move in fast.
Resources
Get the free Browns Canyon trail card
A one-page card with the route, key turns, rules, emergency numbers and our gear list. Print it or save it to your phone. We'll send it right away and email you local beta for the activities you pick, a few times a season. No spam.
Common questions
When is the best time to raft the Arkansas?
Commercial trips usually run May through early September. Late May through June brings the biggest water. July and August are warmer with friendlier flows, helped by a voluntary program that targets at least 700 cfs at Wellsville from July 1 to August 15.
Do I need a life jacket to tube in Salida?
Yes. Inside the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, including the Salida Whitewater Park, tubers must wear a life jacket, and so must every child under 13.
Do I need a pass to use the river access sites?
Most AHRA sites need a CPW park pass. You can buy a daily vehicle pass, a walk-in pass or an annual pass.
How hard is Browns Canyon?
Most outfitters call it Class III, and CPW rates it III to IV. The full run from Fisherman's Bridge to Stone Bridge is about 14.5 miles, with Zoom Flume as the biggest rapid. It's the most popular day trip on the river.
Keep exploring
Checked October 2026 against the agencies linked on this page. Rules change, so confirm before you go, and stop by the shop at 110 N F Street for the latest.