The Arkansas River passes through four states with some world-famous white-water rafting. Adrenaline junkies love the swirling rapids. But people looking for a relaxing river experience will find fun on the water, too–in the form of fly fishing! The majority of this river just happens to be home to some of the country’s best fly fishing, as well.
Arkansas River Tours has been leading expeditions in both rafting and fly fishing since 1973. They’ve offered us some insider tips on how to get the most out of both rafting and fly fishing on your next trip to this great river.
Rafting on the Arkansas River
Image from Arkansas River Tours
The Arkansas River winds southeast through Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas before flowing into the Mississippi River. It originates in the snowpack of Colorado’s Sawatch and Mosquito Mountains, and creates some of the most exciting adventures that whitewater rafting can offer along the way.
Some of the most famous areas are Bighorn Sheep Canyon (Class III-IV) and Royal Gorge (Class IV+), which offer incredible rapids, technical drops, and beautiful views the whole way. There are also plenty of sections that are more mellow and family-friendly, such as the length from Coaldale to Cotopaxi, which offers plenty of opportunities for the whole family to try out rafting on this iconic river.
Fly Fishing on the Arkansas River
Image from Arkansas River Tours
Trout Unlimited includes this river in their list of the top 100 trout fishing rivers in the country, and the Colorado section is especially famous for angling. Every summer, the river is full of brown and rainbow trout, and fishermen from all over the country come to wade in the shallows and float the river in rafts, pulling in their daily limit of fresh trout.
If standing hip-deep in a cool river sounds like the perfect way to spend a hot summer day, plan a trip to the Colorado section of this river with The Dyrt. There are all kinds of fly fishing trips to perfectly suit your tastes, including river float trips, half-and-half float and wade trips, overnight excursions, and casual evening floats.
You’ll find breathtaking mountains, great people, and a river full of history, excitement, and beauty. Consider booking a fly fishing and rafting adventure on this region of the river.
Related Campgrounds:
- Horseshoe Bend Campground, Rogers, AR
- Twin Lakes Campground Colorado, Leadville, CO
- Sugarloaf Camping, Parshall, CO
- Lake Degray camping at Degray Lake Resort State Park, AR
- Devils Den State Park, Winslow, AR
