When Katharine Lee Bates wrote about her visit in 1891 to Pikes Peak, she marveled at the spacious skies, amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties. Had she scrambled over the summit boulder field and looked west, she might have added a verse about the gleaming silver ribbon of the Arkansas River, faintly visible from the summit on a clear day.
This multi-use river defines the regionβits tributaries nourishing and sustaining towns and cities along its route: Pueblo, Florence, Canon City, Salida, Buena Vista and even Colorado Springs. And while the Arkansas is a major tributary of the Mississippi, itβs also a clear, sparkling mountain stream filled with recreational opportunities as it descends the valley to Pueblo.
Known as the Arkansas River Headwaters Recreation Area, it flows 148 miles from Leadville to the Pueblo Dam. Itβs a scenic haven for trout fishing, river rafting, and wildlife watching. Popular activities include rockhounding at Ruby Mountain, fishing for brown trout at Hecla Junction, and wildlife-watching at any of the 12 designated βWatchable Wildlifeβ locations. Further downstream is the Pueblo Dam and Pueblo Reservoir with βββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ4,600 surface acres of water, 60 miles of shorelineββ and almost 10,000 acres of land. Water recreation includes sailing, motor-boating, water skiing and fishing. Land recreation includes hiking, biking, picnicking and diverse nature exploration. Itβs easy to access since itβs right on the outskirts of the city for which itβs named.
Royal Gorge Rafting on the Arkansas River β’ Photo courtesy of Royal Gorge Rafting
The Arkansas is known as Americaβs #1 whitewater river. Itβs not navigable, except by raft or kayak. One of the best ways to experience the river is on a rafting trip with a reputable company; exciting, safe, and utterly fun. One of the many in the area include, Royal Gorge Rafting in Canon City, a long-established outfit that offers a variety of rafting packages which may include zip-lining, stream-side yurts, cabins and fly fishing. Relax after your chosen adventure at the White Water Bar and Grill.Β Make sure to plan ahead and make reservations, since demand is high, and the season relatively brief.
And whether you raft, fish, sightsee or just take a contemplative walk by the river, enjoy America the Beautiful!
