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American Adventure Expeditions |
800-288-0675 |
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Arkansas River Tours |
800-321-4352 |
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Bill Dvorak's Kayak/Raft Expeditions |
800-824-3795 |
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Echo Canyon River Expeditions |
800-748-2953 |
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Raven Adventure Trips |
800-332-3381 |
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Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center |
800-255-5784 |
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Wilderness Aware Rafting |
800-462-7238 |
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Clear Creek Rafting Company |
800-353-9901 |
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Adventure Quest Expeditions |
800-448-7238 |
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Canyon Marine Whitewater Expeditions |
800-643-0707 |
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Raft Masters |
800-568-7238 |
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River Runners, Ltd. |
800-525-2081 |
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Rock-n-Row |
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Whitewater Adventure Outfitters |
800-530-8212 |
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| Sections |
Salida-Cotopaxi;
Cotopaxi-Parkdale |
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Location |
Fremont
County, southeast of Salida, south-central Colorado |
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Driving Time |
Colorado
Springs—2 hours |
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Difficulty |
Class
II-III, III-IV below Pinnacle Rock |
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Trip Length |
Salida-Cotopaxi—11-23
miles (18-37 km);
Cotopaxi—Parkdale—10-22 miles (16-35 km) |
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Trip Options |
Paddle
raft, oar raft, inflatable kayak; half-day, one day |
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Season |
May-September |
 The
Salida-Cotopaxi section of the Arkansas is a particular favorite of
senior citizens and families with young children. Guided oar rafts
allow these passengers ample time to enjoy the Bighorn Sheep Canyon
scenery and beautiful views of the 14,000-foot Sangre de Cristo
Mountains. This section’s exciting, but not difficult, Class
II-III rapids—Bear and Badger creeks, Tin Cup, Red Rocks,
and Cottonwood—should frighten no one. Outfitters offer
two-hour, half-day, and all-day trips.
From
Cotopaxi to Pinnacle Rock near Vallie Bridge, about 8-miles upstream
from Parkdale, the Arkansas River features a superb blend of canyon
scenery and moderate whitewater. This section's Class III
rapids—Maytag, Devils Hole, Wake Up, Three Rock Falls, and Spike
Buck Falls—are not as difficult as those of the downstream Royal
Gorge; they are nevertheless exciting and challenging for beginning-
and intermediate-level rafters.
From
Pinnacle Rock to Parkdale, the rapids of Bighorn Sheep Canyon pick
up in intensity and difficulty. Here Rock Falls, Spike Buck, Sharks
Tooth and Double Drop are Class IV rapids. Cotopaxi-Parkdale or
Browns Canyon are recommended prerequisite whitewater trips for the
Class III-IV+ Royal Gorge.
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