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Colorado · Paddling
Chaffee County sits in the upper Arkansas River valley, and the river itself is the reason paddlers come here from across the country.
6 spotsUpdated weeklyFree to access
View on mapPaddling · 6 spots
Chaffee County sits in the upper Arkansas River valley, and the river itself is the reason paddlers come here from across the country. The six whitewater runs listed on Roamze cover a stretch that starts up near Granite and works its way south through the Numbers, past Railroad Bridge, through Buena Vista, and down to Stone Bridge — a progression that runs from expert-only technical water to hard Class III-IV that experienced intermediates can tackle with solid preparation. The Numbers section (Granite to Numbers Launch Site and Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge) is genuinely committing whitewater that demands confident boat control and reliable rolls. The runs from Railroad Bridge through Buena Vista and on to Fisherman's Bridge and Stone Bridge are still hard-rated, not beginner water. Clear Creek, a tributary run from Missouri Creek Trailhead to the dirt road takeout, rounds out the expert options for paddlers who want something off the main stem. Snowmelt drives flows on all of these runs, so timing your trip around water levels is as important as any other planning decision you'll make.
Every run listed here is rated either hard or expert. The Numbers sections (Granite to Numbers Launch and Numbers Launch to Railroad Bridge) are expert-rated and not appropriate for paddlers still building their whitewater foundation. The runs from Railroad Bridge through Buena Vista and down to Stone Bridge are rated hard, meaning strong intermediate to advanced paddlers with reliable self-rescue skills. If you're not comfortable in continuous Class IV water, these are not the right runs to push your limits on.
Peak flows on the Arkansas and Clear Creek typically run from late April through June as mountain snowpack melts. This is when the expert sections are at their most powerful and most dangerous. By mid-July flows usually drop to more manageable levels on the hard-rated sections, which many experienced paddlers prefer. Checking a real-time gauge before you drive out is non-negotiable — flows can change significantly within 24 hours during runoff season.
Whitewater kayaking
Chaffee County, Colorado
Whitewater kayaking
Chaffee County, Colorado
Whitewater kayaking
Chaffee County, Colorado
Whitewater kayaking
Chaffee County, Colorado
Whitewater kayaking
Chaffee County, Colorado
The runs are organized as a downstream sequence: Granite leads to Numbers Launch Site, then Railroad Bridge Launch, then Buena Vista, then Fisherman's Bridge, and finally Stone Bridge. Each of these named sites serves as either a put-in or takeout depending on which section you're running, so a shuttle is required for every run. Scout access roads and parking ahead of time, especially early in the season when some pullouts can be muddy or congested.
A properly fitted whitewater kayak, a helmet, and a PFD are baseline requirements. Given the expert and hard ratings, a reliable roll is strongly recommended before attempting any of these sections — swimming the Numbers in high water is a serious situation. Bring a throw bag, a first aid kit, and a dry bag with a change of clothes. Wetsuits or drysuits are appropriate for early-season paddling when water temperatures are cold enough to cause cold shock.
As of this writing, no permit is required to paddle the Arkansas River through Chaffee County, but regulations can change and some access points may have parking fees or be managed by local recreation districts. It's worth confirming current access rules with the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area before your trip, as they manage much of the river corridor in this region.