$28 / night

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Signs & Maps

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Facilities

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Nature

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Established Camping

Vallie Bridge Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

2 Reviews

Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect

There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Please use www.cpwshop.com to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers. **No-show policy:** If you are unable to occupy your site on the first day of your reservation, please call the park office in order to notify park staff. Otherwise, your reservation will be considered a "no-show" and your site may be resold. "No-show" reservations are ineligible for a refund for those nights or days passed and the fees for any nights or days passed will be retained.

Colorado weather can be unpredictable: be prepared for a variety of weather conditions including extreme hot and cold temperatures, wind, rain, and snow (even in the summer). CPW does not grant exceptions to the refund policy for weather conditions.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Vallie Bridge Campground, near Coaldale, CO, is situated in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. The terrain features riverbanks and surrounding hills, providing a natural setting for camping. Temperatures range from lows in the 30s Fahrenheit in winter to highs in the 80s during summer. Nearby attractions include the Arkansas River, popular for fishing and rafting, and the scenic trails of San Isabel National Forest.

Description

The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) is one of the nation’s most popular locations for whitewater rafting and kayaking and home to the most commercially rafted river in the United States, the Arkansas River! Tumbling 4,650’ in 152 miles, boaters can find anything from roaring Class IV and V rapids, to milder Class II and III sections, which are ideal for beginner and family trips. AHRA also offers a world-class trout fishery and sightseeing within the Upper Arkansas River Valley as well as abundant opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, wildlife watching, horseback riding, mountain biking and OHV travel.

AHRA operates eight campgrounds along the Arkansas River, all of which have boat ramps for raft and kayak access.

Please visit the Arkansas Headwaters website for current conditions and more information: https://ahra.mobi/park

By making a reservation with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, you are agreeing to read and abide by all rules stated in this purchase flow and on the confirmation letter.

There is no water, electricity, or firewood available in the campgrounds.
The gathering of firewood in the campground is NOT permitted.
Facilities at AHRA Campgrounds include vault toilets, tent pads, grills, and picnic tables.
Motor craft are NOT permitted on the river.

Please use www.cpwshop.com or call (800) 244-5613 to make, cancel, or change reservations or make any license, pass, or retail purchases. ReserveAmerica.com has limited functionality for CPW customers.

Per CPW regulation, no individual may camp or park a motor vehicle, trailer or camper on a state park for more than fourteen (14) days in any twenty-eight (28) day period on a single park. For the purposes of this regulation, an individual is defined as any person who has occupied a site, whether or not they are formally listed on the reservation as the reserving party or primary occupant.

Any reservations made with one or more days outside of the 6-month reservation window will be frozen to changes for 14 days from the date the reservation was made.

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Location

Vallie Bridge Campground — Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is located in Colorado

Directions

Unlike most other Colorado State Parks, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA) does not have one set of driving directions to get to the park. This is because the AHRA is actually a linear recreation area that follows the Arkansas River for 152 miles from the high mountains near Leadville, Colorado, to Lake Pueblo, on the edge of Colorado plains. There are a number of highways and roads entering the valley. Along the way, the AHRA has eight basic campgrounds, numerous picnic areas, fishing and boating access points and trail access. PLEASE NOTE: You _do not_ need to check in at the visitor center prior to your arrival if you are camping. You may go directly to the campground.

Address

307 W Sackett Ave
Salida, CO 81201

Coordinates

38.39127059 N
105.77271427 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Shavano Mountain

37 min away

Mount Shavano and Mount Tabequache

49 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

1 hr 18 min from Pueblo
1 hr 39 min from Colorado Springs
2 hrs 31 min from Denver
2 hrs 54 min from Boulder

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Site Types

Tent Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Picnic Table
Reservable
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

+17195397289

Reservations

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N I.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2021

Highway Noise

Reservation Required cpwshop.com or call 800-244-5613

Open 365 days barring severe weather

Basic sites are $28.00 A vehicle pass is required.

Sites: 16 basic, walk in tent sites with a tent pad, fire grill and picnic table.

There is one pit toilet. The campsite is located right along side the highway so there might be a bit of traffic noise. The Arkansas River also runs along side the campground and make the complete experience welcome. Between the mountains and the Arkansas this is a great stop. I would not want to spend a lot of time here but for an overnight it is great.

LNT

Clean, Drain, Dry

Stay safe

Month of VisitOctober

(15) View All

Sarah S.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2020

Beautiful on the river but tight quarters

Amazing to be right on the river but camp sites are pretty close to one another. Not much sun cover (camp map through state shows which sites have shade) and super windy. 360 views. So beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities and facilities are available at Vallie Bridge Campground?

Vallie Bridge Campground offers 16 basic walk-in tent sites, each equipped with a tent pad, fire grill, and picnic table. The campground has one pit toilet for visitors. There's limited shade at most sites, though the campground map indicates which specific sites have sun cover. The campground is situated right along the river, providing beautiful 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. A vehicle pass is required in addition to the $28 camping fee. Reservations are necessary and can be made through cpwshop.com or by calling 800-244-5613.

What do visitor reviews say about Vallie Bridge Campground?

Vallie Bridge Campground receives positive feedback for its prime location directly on the river and stunning 360-degree views of the surrounding landscape. Campers appreciate the beautiful setting but note that the sites are positioned quite close to one another, offering limited privacy. The campground is described as very windy and lacking substantial shade cover. The basic amenities meet essential camping needs, though the experience is definitely more rustic. For those seeking shade, consulting the camp map beforehand is recommended to select sites with some sun protection.

Are there photos of Vallie Bridge Campground to view before visiting?

Yes, photos of Vallie Bridge Campground are available online to help you plan your visit. These images showcase the riverside setting, tent sites, and the surrounding landscape with its 360-degree views. Photos reveal the open nature of the campground with limited shade and the proximity to the water. When browsing images, look for photos that display the tent pads, fire grills, picnic tables, and the beautiful natural setting that makes this location special despite its basic amenities.

Is Vallie Bridge Campground part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Yes, Vallie Bridge Campground is indeed part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. As one of the camping options within this recreation area, it provides direct access to the Arkansas River. The campground is open year-round (365 days), weather permitting, and requires reservations. Like other campgrounds in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, Vallie Bridge requires both a camping fee ($28 for basic sites) and a separate vehicle pass. This location offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Arkansas River corridor.

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