Collegiate Peaks Byway
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, CO

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area follows the Arkansas River for 148 miles, starting between the Sawatch Mountains just north of Leadville and traveling through the Upper Arkansas River Valley down to Pueblo Reservoir in Pueblo.

Here, massive 14,000-foot mountains contrast wide valleys, and steep gorges provide a path for the rapid waters of the Arkansas River. In such a diverse terrain, you'll find a wide range of recreational opportunities. Most popular are the white water activities such as rafting or kayaking; however, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking, mountain climbing, and camping are also available. Hecla Junction provides great fishing for brown trout, and wildlife watching is ideal at any of the Five Points Watchable Wildlife Area in Bighorn Sheep Canyon, aptly named for the thriving population and frequent sightings of bighorn sheep.

A cluster of cities and towns speckle this region. From Leadville to Salida, Cañon City to Florence, Buena Vista to Pueblo, each offers dining and lodging filled with Western welcome and warmth.