Colorado whitewater - Arkansas River, Sawatch Range, Chaffee County

Chaffee county, Fork Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.

 

CLASS III     13 miles
  This section of Arkansas River in Colorado is 13 miles long and is a class III section of whitewater according to American Whitewater. The average Colorado whitewater rafting or kayaking river tends to be harder to run than those in other states, so you'd better keep in mind that rivers here are not as easy as elsewhere. There are plenty of other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. Getting a good workout and just being out on the river for a while are great reasons to come. You can pitch a tent or park your RV at a nearby campground.
    No matter if you're whitewater rafting or kayaking this area has a pretty small number of paddling places. There aren’t any hotels right nearby but if you're willing to drive a short distance then no problem but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car.
You can enjoy this section more if you take your time, so pack your sleeping bag. The scenic beauty of Colorado and the beautiful way the water current moves down the stream will make you feel great. Whitewater paddling here in the Sawatch Range is a great experience.

Briefly about the general area:
Summer brings highs in the 80's to Arkansas River, and the night is slightly chillier of course, mostly in the 40's. The cold days of the winter come with highs in the 30's; after the sun is down all through the wintertime temperatures at Arkansas River
 
drop into the 0's.
Arkansas River is pretty dehydrated mostly; August is when you get the most rain here, and the driest month is January.

Arkansas River, Fork Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access road map
Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.

QUICK STATS
AW Class: III
Length: 13 miles
Average Gradient: 31 fpm
  
Putin Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 38.76385
Longitude: -106.08899

Takeout Location Coordinates:
Latitude: 38.61027
Longitude: -106.06806

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Current weather conditions at Arkansas River, Sawatch Range, Colorado
WXPort

Local climate location: BUENA VISTA 9 miles away


RAFTING TRIP OUTFITTERS

There are no whitewater outfitters currently listed for this river.

Super 8 Buena Vista, Buena Vista
9 miles away
This Super 8 is without a doubt, one of the best properties in the chain. Pride property in addition to recipient of the National Hospitality Award. 27 inch flat screen TVs with HBO, refrigerators, ha...

Best Western Vista Inn, Buena Vista
10 miles away
Escape to this award winning, non smoking Buena Vista, Colorado hotel with breathtaking views of Mt. Princeton. Welcome to the Best Western Vista Inn where guests will find all of the amenities and ...

Holiday Inn Express SALIDA, Salida
10 miles away
The Holiday Inn Express Hotel Salida is located in the heart of all your mountain fun! Within minutes you can be hiking, biking, fishing, rafting or skiing just to name a few! We are located only 18 m...



OTHER_INFO
  Sawatch Range Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater kayaking and rafting spots in the Sawatch Range.

Sawatch Range Outdoors Info
Complete outdoors info for the Sawatch Range.

All Colorado Whitewater
Complete list of all the whitewater paddling spots in Colorado.
Books about whitewater paddling on Arkansas River, Colorado
List of books from Amazon.com that cover whitewater paddling on Arkansas River, Colorado.
Find a whitewater outfitter in Colorado

Whitewater Basics
If you're new to whitewater paddling please take a look at this basic whitewater info.
Outdoors Recreation Near Silverthorne, Colorado
Very comprehensive list of a variety of outdoors recreation in the vicinity of Silverthorne, Colorado, the metro area neareast to Arkansas River. Find info on campgrounds, hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, beaches, parks, whitewater and more.
 

   

OUTDOORS
These outdoors activities are available near Arkansas River.
 Whitewater Near Arkansas River:
Arkansas River, Chaffe County , 7 miles away, Class III - 6 miles long (East Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge)
Arkansas River, Chaffee County , 11 miles away, Class III - 7 miles long (Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista)
Arkansas River, Chaffe County , 12 miles away, Class II-III - 18.7 miles long (Highway Stone Bridge to Rincon)
Clear Creek, Chaffee County , 27 miles away, Class V - 3.3 miles long (to Arkansas River)
Arkansas River, Lake/ Chaffee County , 28 miles away, Class I-II - 18 miles long (Leadville to Granite)
 Ski Areas Near Arkansas River:
Monarch, Colorado , 20 miles away, 1162 vertical feet
Ski Cooper, Colorado , 39 miles away, 1200 vertical feet
Breckenridge, Colorado , 43 miles away, 3398 vertical feet
Copper Mountain, Colorado , 44 miles away, 2601 vertical feet
Keystone, Colorado , 50 miles away, 3128 vertical feet
Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 53 miles away, 2270 vertical feet
Loveland, Colorado , 55 miles away, 2410 vertical feet
Vail, Colorado , 55 miles away, 3450 vertical feet
Snowmass, Colorado , 55 miles away, 4406 vertical feet
Beaver Creek, Colorado , 58 miles away, 3340 vertical feet
 Hotels Near Arkansas River:
Super 8 Buena Vista, Buena Vista , 9 miles away
Best Western Vista Inn, Buena Vista , 10 miles away
Holiday Inn Express SALIDA, Salida , 10 miles away
Aspen Leaf Lodge, Salida , 10 miles away
Americas Best Value Inn Salida, Salida , 10 miles away
 Camp Grounds Near Arkansas River:
Chalk Creek Campground, Nathrop, 3 miles away
Buena Vista KOA, Buena Vista, 7 miles away
Silvercliff Ranch, Nathrop, 7 miles away
 Trails Near Arkansas River:
Browns Creek Trail, Chaffee County , 8 miles away
Round Hill Trail, Saguache County , 15 miles away
Ute Trail, Fremont County , 15 miles away
Simmons Peak Trail, Saguache County , 15 miles away
Fooses Creek Trail, Chaffee County , 16 miles away
 National Parks Near Arkansas River:
Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 39 miles away
Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 39 miles away

Outdoors related information copyright © Stratus-Pikpuk, Inc. - Detailed hotel information copyright © Interactive Hotel Solutions
Some content, including Reach Name, Class, and Length, comes from American Whitewater