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Colorado | Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Arkansas RiverRincon to Pinnacle Rock

A public-access Class II–III Arkansas River reach from the CPW Rincon access through the AHRA access chain to Pinnacle Rock.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 19.5 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical timePlan a full daylight window
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Arkansas River flows through Colorado between rocky banks.
Route photoArkansas River corridor in ColoradoPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey

Need to know

Why this call
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 19.5 river milesRincon to Pinnacle Rock
DifficultymoderateLong Class II–III moving water with canyon exposure and limited recovery; appropriate for paddlers with confident current skills, self-rescue, and a full-day plan.
ShuttleCar shuttleStage the Pinnacle Rock take-out, then shuttle west on US-50 to Rincon. Confirm current parking, one-way highway approaches, fees, road, and access conditions at both AHRA sites.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current AHRA/CPW access rules, posted fees, closures, fire restrictions, PFD requirements, and any commercial-use restrictions.
CampingOptions nearbyDesignated camping is available at Rincon and Pinnacle Rock; reserve or confirm a lawful AHRA campsite separately. Do not camp at an unmarked access or private bank.
SeasonMay-SepSnowmelt, rain, releases, cold water, and debris can change conditions quickly. Check direct USGS Parkdale discharge and trend, CPW notices, weather, and local scouting before launch.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A long public Rincon-to-Pinnacle Rock reach with direct Parkdale telemetry, official corridor flow guidance, multiple named AHRA access sites, documented high-water rescue context, and designated endpoint camping.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Rincon AHRA boat ramp and campground
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use only the named Rincon and Pinnacle Rock AHRA sites as endpoints; intermediate sites are contingency access only after confirming current conditions.

Finish

Take-out

Pinnacle Rock AHRA boat ramp and campground
Open mapDirections to take-out

Pinnacle Rock’s water-entry coordinate follows the mapped Arkansas River channel beside the AHRA recreation site; confirm the marked ramp, carry, parking, and current site rules before launch.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use only the named Rincon and Pinnacle Rock AHRA sites as endpoints; intermediate sites are contingency access only after confirming current conditions.
  • Pinnacle Rock’s water-entry coordinate follows the mapped Arkansas River channel beside the AHRA recreation site; confirm the marked ramp, carry, parking, and current site rules before launch.
  • The 300–5,000 cfs band is planning guidance only. Keep the route unavailable when telemetry, access, visual conditions, or group skill are inconsistent.
  • Exit at Pinnacle Rock before the separate Pinnacle Rock-to-Parkdale reach.

Watch for

  • USGS 07094500 below 300 cfs, above 5,000 cfs, rapidly rising, unavailable, or inconsistent with local conditions
  • Three Rocks Rapid, lateral waves, holes, strainers, cold water, debris, canyon walls, anglers, and limited recovery
  • AHRA closures, fees, fire restrictions, Highway 50 shuttle hazards, parking/carry changes, and failure to reach Pinnacle Rock

Plan this paddle

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Gauge detail

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Gauge

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Weather

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Route gallery

Photos

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The Arkansas River flows through Colorado between rocky banks.
Arkansas River corridor in ColoradoPhoto by U.S. Geological Survey
USGS: public domain

Score & sources

Why this score

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Data status
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Why this scoreData reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

Why
  • Checking data sources and update times.
Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteArkansas River at Parkdale, CO
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Preferred range500 cfs to 4,000 cfs
Low threshold300 cfs
High threshold5,000 cfs
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreRincon to Pinnacle Rock 300–5,000 cfs planning band; Colorado hazards technical report
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named public corridorRincon to Pinnacle Rock, approximately 19.5 miles, Class II–III

    American Whitewater names the reach, difficulty, distance, intermediate sites, and endpoint highway-mile references.

    Source

  • Direct gauge and route-specific flow guidanceUSGS 07094500; official 300–5,000 cfs planning band

    The Colorado hazards technical report explicitly links Rincon to Pinnacle Rock to the Parkdale gauge and band.

    Source

  • Endpoint access and campingRincon and Pinnacle Rock AHRA public ramps, river access, and camping

    CPW’s access listing identifies both public endpoint sites and their amenities; confirm current facilities and fees.

    Source

  • SafetyThree Rocks and long canyon reach; CPW ranger rescue documented near Pinnacle Rock

    American Whitewater documents the reach hazard and rescue context; require current scouting and rescue readiness.

    Source

  • Duplicate separationDistinct Rincon-to-Pinnacle corridor above the Salida-to-Rincon run and below Pinnacle Rock-to-Parkdale

    The endpoint pair, 19.5-mile reach, Parkdale gauge, and mandatory Pinnacle Rock exit distinguish this route from adjacent records.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Colorado

All 48 routes
Colorado route guideBrowse every tracked Colorado route.Bighorn Sheep Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaJump to routes in this region.

More on Arkansas River

All 8
Fisherman's Bridge to Stone Bridge (Browns Canyon)Browns Canyon / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaHard · Approximately 13.3 river milesGranite Boat Chute to Buena Vista Whitewater ParkUpper Arkansas River / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaHard · Approximately 18 river miles; verify the selected AHRA segment distance against the current park mapParkdale Recreation Site to Centennial Park (Royal Gorge)Royal Gorge / Arkansas Headwaters Recreation AreaHard · Approximately 10.3 river milesPillar Park / Chapa Place to Union Avenue (Pueblo Whitewater Park)Pueblo / Arkansas RiverHard · Approximately 0.5 river miles

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Taylor RiverAbove Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s Slot · about 49 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 0.54 river miles from above Todd’s Slot to below Todd’s SlotTaylor RiverCR 748 Bridge to Pieplant Ranch / CR 742.8 access · about 50 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 3 river milesTaylor RiverFive Mile Access to Almont · about 53 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 5 river miles from Five Mile Access to AlmontGunnison RiverAlmont to North Bridge · about 55 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 8.2 river miles from Almont to Garlic Mike’s / North Bridge

Quick answers

Arkansas River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Rincon to Pinnacle Rock route on the Arkansas River?

Paddle Today watches Arkansas River at Parkdale, CO and treats 500 cfs to 4,000 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.

Where does the Rincon to Pinnacle Rock route on the Arkansas River start and end?

This route starts at Rincon AHRA boat ramp and campground and ends at Pinnacle Rock AHRA boat ramp and campground, Approximately 19.5 river miles on the water.

Is the Rincon to Pinnacle Rock route on the Arkansas River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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