Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
The Arkansas River comes alive in spring when snowmelt from the Rockies fills the river with rapid waters and abundant opportunity for recreation of all kinds. Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is a unique state park that stretches for almost 150 miles along the Arkansas River, and offers outstanding opportunities for fishing, rafting, kayaking, picnicking, hiking, camping, mountain biking, and sightseeing among deep canyons, broad valleys and towering mountain peaks.The Arkansas River is the most popular rafting river in America, offering some of the nation's most exciting whitewater and outstanding mountain views. From highly technical Class IV and V rapids, to relaxing and scenic calm-water float trips, the Arkansas has it all. Visitors can choose trips that last a few hours or a few days.
The Arkansas River also offers fishing opportunities for every type of angler--from the bank or from a boat. If you're looking for a day of fishing with the family, AHRA provides sites with access to some of the best fishing along with picnic tables, grills and views of the river and mountains. There are also several pullouts along the river, which are popular spots for the mobile angler.
The cities and towns along the river - Leadville, Buena Vista, Poncha Springs, Salida, Canon City, Florence and Pueblo - offer dining and lodging. Six different campgrounds are available within AHRA, offering scenic views and river access. Whether visitors are looking for an adventurous rafting trip, a quiet fishing spot, a campsite along the river, or a scenic backdrop for a picnic, all can be experienced in a springtime visit to this park.
Roxoborough State Park
Spring is a great time to explore Roxborough State Park, with mild weather and brilliant wildflowers serving as a backdrop to an already dramatic setting. Located just outside the Denver metro area, park features red rock formations that rise above the landscape, and is home to distinct plant communities and a host of wildlife, ranging from black bears to mule deers.While the dramatic landscape is reason enough to bring your camera, visitors in the spring get the bonus of capturing the park in bloom with a variety of wildflowers. Penstemon, spring beauty, golden banner, Indian paintbrush, scarlet gilia, white-flower peavine, bigflower cinquefoil, and goldenrod are some of the plants that display a colorful signal to the end of winter.
Hiking is king at Roxborough. More than 14 miles of trails offer hikers opportunities to view giant hogbacks and red rock formations, red sandstone ridges, and spires. The trails range from an easy half-mile meander on the Fountain Overlook Trail starting from the Visitor Center, to a challenging 6.4-mile trek up 7,160-foot Carpenter Peak, where you can see the surrounding countryside for miles, including a glimpse of downtown Denver. Roxborough’s trails connect to several trails in the Pike National Forest, Waterton Canyon, and Douglas County.
Rifle Falls State Park
Located just outside the town of Rifle in western Colorado, Rifle Falls State Park features a scenic waterfall surrounded by a lush area of trees and greenery, kept moist year round by the spray of the cascading triple waterfall.Picnicking and hiking the trails near the falls are popular activities. Mysterious limestone caves beneath the falls and a 90-foot room entices spelunkers and other curious visitors to discover its dark depths. Rifle Falls State Park includes both drive-in and walk-in campsites along East Rifle Creek.
A short distance away from Rifle Falls are two other state parks, Rifle Gap and Harvey Gap, which together comprise the Rifle Complex. The clean, clear waters of Rifle Gap State Park’s 350-acre reservoir provide some of the best boating, fishing, swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing in Colorado. Harvey Gap is a day-use area, which offers outstanding opportunities for fishing.