Destination West!
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • YouTube Channel
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Archive Albums
DestinationWest.Org

A free western tourism resource featuring majestic destinations and lesser known places!   

Arkansas River Recreation Area•Colorado

9/1/2024

0 Comments

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
00:00     Title
00:15     Highway 50 Recreation Sites
09:35     Ruby Mountain Recreation Site
13:20     Browns Canyon National Monument
14:50     Fin


The Colorado Rocky Mountains definitely are a great place to escape from the extreme heat of summer. The high elevations offer cool temperatures and there are plenty of lakes and rivers to splash around in. Most of the great outdoor destinations in this state are located within national forests, so finding a cozy campsite is easy to do. No matter whether the vacation plan involves rock climbing, white water rafting, mountain biking or just plain old relaxing under a shade tree, camping definitely is the best way to go during the summer season. This is especially true at the Arkansas River Recreation Area! 

The Arkansas River Recreation Area along Highway 50 consists of several individual sites covering long narrow strips of land on either side of the river from Salida all the way downhill to Royal Gorge. More can be experienced along Highway 285 north of Salida at the Arkansas River Headwaters Recreation Sites. The boundaries are not easily defined because private properties are in the mix. Most of the recreation sites along the river have facilities, boat ramps and picnic areas. Camping is an option at some of the recreation sites and there are developed campgrounds operated by private businesses. Rafting excursion companies also abound along this river. 

When driving on Highway 50 along the Arkansas River, the scenery is so picturesque that one simply has to stop at the roadside overlooks to take in the breathtaking views. Because there is river water next to the road, this is a great place for wildlife viewing, so be sure to pack a good camera. While stopping at an Arkansas River overlook near Royal Gorge during my spring season trip, I was lucky enough to spot a Colorado cinnamon color black bear ambling along the other side of the river. 

The recreation sites usually offer facilities, small craft launches, fish cleaning stations, picnic tables and chargrills. White water rafting is the prime sport on the river, but this is also a fly fisherman’s paradise. This river is loaded with a variety of trout and some fish species are protected, so it pays to be familiar with the rules. There is also a section of river where gold prospecting is allowed near Pueblo.

The cool fresh Rocky Mountain river water is mighty attractive during the hot summer season and the majestic views are icing on the cake. When considering that this destination lies along a major travel route, making the great escape happen does not get much more convenient than this. Chalking the Arkansas River Recreation Area high on the summer travel destination list is easy to do, because this is a great place for outdoor adventures and fun in the sun!           
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Leave no trace!
    New!
    ​Destination West YouTube channel!
     https://www.youtube.com/@DestinationWestOrg
    *The Destination West website upgrading project is well underway. Unique YouTube slideshows are replacing the outdated Flickr photo galleries. The new videos feature modern graphics and alternative music instrumentals that enhance the viewing experience. Some articles are being condensed, while others are getting much needed edits. As everybody knows, the bulk of the original articles and photos were published on the fly during the Covid camping venture and there were limitations. Upgrading is the way to go and more articles will receive a makeover each week until this project is completed. After that, I will be able to gather new material. There is light at the end of the tunnel!

    ​JD Lane

    Archives

    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020

    Donations help the Destinaton West project continue into the future! 
    Go Fund Me!

    This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.

    Opt Out of Cookies
© COPYRIGHT 2015. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • Home Page
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Idaho
  • Montana
  • Nevada
    • Las Vegas
  • New Mexico
  • Oregon
  • South Dakota
  • Utah
  • Washington
  • Wyoming
  • Route 66
  • YouTube Channel
  • About
  • Get In Touch
  • Archive Albums