Colorado whitewater, Arkansas River Chaffee county, Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS III     7 miles   The nature scenery of Chaffee County and the cool fresh water beats anything. Whitewater rafting and kayaking spots in Colorado tend to be more challenging than the national average, so don't forget that a large number of rivers in this state are not easy. The Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista stretch of Arkansas River in Chaffee County is 7 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class III section. On this     section you do get some distance, suitable for an afternoon trip. There are plenty of other stretches in this river system that can be paddled as well. The campgrounds here at Arkansas River are pretty good. There are some good hotels near the river, but you'd better reserve in advance because these hotels fill up quick. Some people prefer whitewater rafting and some kayaking, either way in this general area you'll find lots of paddling places. A bit of exercise and a chance to spend some time outdoors have people coming from far and near. Briefly about the general area: Have a wonderful hiking adventure along the Fourmile Creek - Buffalo Meadows Trail;   if you fancy a little side journey, try Hop Gulch. Going for a hike along the Harvard Trail will let you absorb the natural beauty of this area. A cool spot to stop by close to Arkansas River is Elephant Rock; this is a popular spot for folks from Buena Vista. Throughout the months of summer here at Arkansas River, high temperatures usually get into the 70's while nighttime lows are mostly in the 30's. Through the wintertime highs are ordinarily in the 20's; night lows in the-10's for Arkansas River. Arkansas River is pretty waterless typically. The wettest month of the year is ordinarily August, that's the one that rains the most, and October on the other hand is the driest. Arkansas River, Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Arkansas River.   Whitewater Near Arkansas River: Whitewater Outfitter - Wilderness Aware Rafting, Chaffee County, 2 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Buffalo Joe's Whitewater, Chaffee County, 2 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Arkansas River, Chaffee County, 3 miles away       Class III - 7 miles long (Railroad Bridge Launch to Buena Vista) Arkansas River, Chaffe County, 3 miles away       Class III - 6 miles long (East Buena Vista to Fisherman's Bridge) Whitewater Outfitter - Adventure Company, Chaffee County, 5 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Acquired Tastes Rafting, Chaffee County, 5 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - River Runners, Chaffee County, 7 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Whitewater Outfitter - Noah's Ark Whitewater Rafting, Chaffee County, 7 miles away       Whitewater outfitter Arkansas River, Chaffee County, 7 miles away       Class III - 13 miles long (Fork Fisherman's Bridge access to Stone Bridge access) Whitewater Outfitter - Four Corners Expeditions, Chaffee County, 8 miles away       Whitewater outfitter   Ski Areas Near Arkansas River: Monarch, Colorado , 24 miles away, 1162 foot drop, 7 lifts, 63 runs Ski Cooper, Colorado , 28 miles away, 1200 foot drop, 5 lifts, 26 runs Breckenridge, Colorado , 33 miles away, 3398 foot drop, 27 lifts, 146 runs Copper Mountain, Colorado , 33 miles away, 2601 foot drop, 23 lifts, 125 runs Keystone, Colorado , 41 miles away, 3128 foot drop, 20 lifts, 135 runs Vail, Colorado , 44 miles away, 3450 foot drop, 31 lifts, 193 runs Arapahoe Basin, Colorado , 45 miles away, 2270 foot drop, 7 lifts, 105 runs Loveland, Colorado , 46 miles away, 2410 foot drop, 10 lifts, 92 runs Beaver Creek, Colorado , 47 miles away, 3340 foot drop, 25 lifts, 149 runs Snowmass, Colorado , 47 miles away, 4406 foot drop, 21 lifts, 84 runs   Hotels Near Arkansas River: Best Western Vista Inn, Buena Vista , 2 miles away Super 8 Buena Vista, Buena Vista , 2 miles away Baymont Inn & Suites Salida, Salida , 21 miles away Super 8 Salida, Salida , 21 miles away Great Western Colorado Lodge, Salida , 21 miles away   Campgrounds Near Arkansas River: Arkansas Headwaters State Recreation Area - Railroad Bridge, Buena Vista, 1 miles away Snowy Peaks RV Park, Buena Vista, 1 miles away Mt Princeton RV Park, Buena Vista, 1 miles away   Trails Near Arkansas River: Fourmile Creek - Buffalo Meadows Trail, Chaffee , 6 miles away Harvard Trail, Chaffee , 6 miles away Wapaca Trail, Chaffee , 8 miles away Tumble Creek Trail, Park , 9 miles away Salt Creek Trail, Park , 10 miles away   Public Lands Near Arkansas River: Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park, Gunnison - CO , 40 miles away Curecanti National Recreation Area, Gunnison - CO , 40 miles away San Isabel National Forest, Colorado , 17 miles away Spinney State Park, Colorado , 35 miles away   Golf Courses Near Arkansas River: Collegiate Peaks Golf Course, Buena Vista , 3 miles away   Lakes Near Arkansas River Twin Lakes, Chaffee , 16 miles away North Fork Reservoir, Chaffee , 19 miles away