The Arkansas River from Salida, CO, to the Rincon recreation area is a low-stress, dog-friendly, scenic Class II-III float. It comes in handy especially in the fall, when the upper stretches of the Arkansas are too low to run.Â
Here’s a guide to running the Salida-to-Rincon section of the Arkansas, which has enough action to challenge beginning paddlers, excellent fishing, and good views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains for those who just want to take in some beautiful scenery. Here’s a guide to running this section, including amenities at the launch and take-out sites and rapids of note.
Arkansas River, Salida East to Rincon
- Length: About 7 miles
- Difficulty: Class II-III
- Put-in: Salida East Campground and Boat Ramp (Salida, CO)
- Take-out:Â Rincon Campground (near Howard, CO)
- Season: Late spring to early fall
- Resources: RiverMaps Guide to the Arkansas River and Colorado Parks & Wildlife
The Arkansas River is arguably the best whitewater river in Colorado, with sections ranging from the expert-only Pine Creek run to action-packed Browns Canyon to the formidable Royal Gorge section.
Tucked in the middle is the 7-mile section from the Salida East campground to the Rincon campgrouns. This run is the perfect choice for groups with mixed abilities and ambitions. You can practice your stand-up paddleboard skills, do a little fishing, practice kayak rolls, or just float and enjoy the mountain views. Only one rapid—Bear Creek—gets a Class III designation at some water levels. It’s a boulder garden, especially at lower water.Â
Although you can add this section to any of the notable runs upriver (including Browns Canyon and the Numbers), if you’re looking for a mellow float and want to avoid the busyness of the whitewater park in downtown Salida, the Salida East launch site is a great starting point.
Note that although the scenery is nice in this section, Highway 50 runs alongside the stretch, so if you’re looking for a more remote experience, head to Browns Canyon upstream.
The trickiest part of this run for beginners might be the first few yards: Especially in lower water, paddlers will want to navigate to river left immediately to avoid getting hung up on rocks on the right side. Most of the rest of this section is read-and-run. A fun swirly section awaits close to the take-out at Rincon.
This section can be crowded on summer weekends, but if you launch at odd times (early in the morning, late in the afternoon, late in the season), you’ll likely have it to yourself.
Launch site at Salida East Campground
Managed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife as part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA), the Salida East campground is on Highway 50 south of Salida at about mile marker 224). This site has plenty of amenities, including 33 campsites, vault toilets, changing stations, fishing access, and a good-sized boat ramp.
Note that no potable water is available, and you’ll need to pack out your own trash. You can reserve a campsite through CPW’s online store. Note that you’ll need to pay the AHRA day use fee.
- Reserve Salida East campsite ($28 for a trailer, tent, or RV site with max of 6 people)
- Buy an Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) pass: $10 for daily vehicle pass or $4 for daily individual pass, or you can explore annual pass options
Take-out at Rincon Recreation Area
The Rincon campground and launch site is much smaller than Salida East, with just 8 campsites, but also has vault toilets and a changing area. As with Salida East, no potable water is available at Rincon, and no trash facilities.
Beautiful float, extended season
The Salida East to Rincon section of the Arkansas is the right choice for families, beginning paddlers, or anyone looking for a mellow float-and-fish expedition from late spring through early fall.
