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Home › Colorado › Public land › Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Hunting ground · Recreation area

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, a guide for Colorado hunters

State recreation area in Chaffee County and 2 more counties, about 5,115 acres.

Get driving directionsAll Chaffee County spots

Stand-in photo: Chaffee County, a short way from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.

Photo: Bureau of Land Management (CC BY 2.0)

Getting to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Get driving directionsParking on Google MapsTrailheads on Google Maps

Parking, trailheads and gates near Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

  • Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
  • Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections

Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area: licenses, dates and restrictions

A parks pass, by the day or the year, is the price of entry to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Only designated parts of the park are huntable, and only in season (#100.b.3).

Park-specific rules for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area that touch hunting:

  • During any hunting season all year, lawful methods of hunting may be used in areas not prohibiting such use. 9.

From the agency source, 2026 State Park Land and Water Regulations; checked November 5, 2026.

Nearby

Places to hunt and shoot around Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Heckendorf State Wildlife Area

Public land · 2 mi from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Directions
Clear Creek Reservoir State Wildlife Area

Public land · 10 mi from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Directions
Chaffee County

County · 13 mi from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Directions
63 Ranch State Wildlife Area

Public land · 14 mi from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Directions
San Isabel National Forest

Public land · 16 mi from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Directions
Leadville Ranger District, San Isabel NF

Public land · 19 mi from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Directions

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area at a glance

Measured by the CPW Managed Properties layer, Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area runs to 5,115 acres. On the CPW map it sits in Area 13 (Southeast Region) and the Buena Vista, Leadville and Canon City N district.

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area has no published species list; the season tables on this page fill that gap.

5,115Acres
5,074GIS acres
3Counties
48, 49, 56 +GMUs
SoutheastCPW region
13CPW area

From the agency page (Colorado Parks and Wildlife); retrieved 2026-11-04, checked November 5, 2026.

2026-27 seasons in the units of Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

For Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area the season list holds 58 lines across its GMUs. OTC here means elk and wild turkey; everything else is by limited license. Rows that need private land (20) stay off this table. The spring turkey rows are the 2026 season; CPW has not yet published spring 2027 dates.

GameWeaponSexTypeFirst dayLast dayGMUs
ElkRiflecowLimited drawSep 1, 2026Jan 31, 202757, 58
ElkArcherycowLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202686, 691
ElkArcherycowOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202686, 691
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkArcheryeither sexLimited, nonresidentSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202686, 691
ElkArcheryeither sexOTC, residentsSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202686, 691
ElkMuzzleloaderbullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202686, 691
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202657, 58
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Oct 18, 202686, 691
ElkRiflebullLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, splitOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202649
ElkSecond riflebullOTCOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202686, 691
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, splitNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202649
ElkThird riflebullOTCNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202686, 691
ElkRiflebullLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
ElkRiflecowLimited, splitNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202649
ElkRifleeither sexLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202686, 691
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateSep 1, 2026Oct 31, 202656, 57
DeerArcherybuckLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 56, 481
DeerArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202649, 57, 58, 84 +
DeerMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
DeerMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
DeerRiflebuckLimited, earlySep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 56, 86, 481
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawOct 24, 2026Nov 1, 202649, 57, 58
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
DeerRifledoeLimited drawNov 7, 2026Nov 15, 202649, 57, 58
DeerRiflebuckLimited drawNov 18, 2026Nov 22, 202684, 86, 691
DeerRiflebuckLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 14, 202684, 86, 691
DeerRifledoeLimited, lateDec 1, 2026Dec 14, 202684, 86, 691
PronghornArcherybuckLimited drawAug 15, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
PronghornArcherydoeLimited drawSep 1, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
PronghornMuzzleloaderbuckLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
PronghornMuzzleloaderdoeLimited drawSep 21, 2026Sep 29, 202648, 49, 56, 84 +
PronghornRiflebuckLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
PronghornRifledoeLimited drawOct 3, 2026Oct 11, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
MooseArcherycowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 49
MooseArcherycowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 30, 202649
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 481
MooseMuzzleloadercowLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202649
MooseSeason choicebullLimited drawSep 12, 2026Oct 14, 202648, 49, 56, 481
MooseSeason choicebullLimited, splitSep 12, 2026Oct 14, 202649
MooseRiflecowLimited drawOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202648, 49, 56, 481
MooseRiflecowLimited, splitOct 1, 2026Oct 14, 202649
Black bearArcheryeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawSep 2, 2026Sep 30, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
Black bearMuzzleloadereither sexLimited drawSep 12, 2026Sep 20, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
Black bearRifleeither sexLimited drawOct 14, 2026Nov 22, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
Mountain lionAll methods–Group harvest limitNov 23, 2026Mar 31, 202748, 49, 56, 57 +
Wild turkeySpring–OTCApr 11, 2026May 31, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +
Wild turkeyFall–OTCSep 1, 2026Oct 4, 202648, 49, 56, 57 +

Season rows and hunt codes from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure, the 2026 Small Game and Waterfowl brochure, the Turkey brochure and the Mountain Lion brochure; property access dates still apply; checked November 5, 2026.

GMU rules that reach Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

GMU overlay for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (9 units): GMU 48, GMU 49, GMU 56, GMU 57, GMU 58, GMU 84, GMU 86, GMU 481, GMU 691.

GMU 86 and GMU 691 carry the elk antler point restriction. Elk CWD testing GMUs here: GMU 49, GMU 57 and GMU 58 (selected rifle hunt codes). Groups 8 and 15 set the lion harvest limit here.

UnitCountiesRules
GMU 48Lake, Chaffeelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 49Park, Lake, Chaffeeelk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 56Chaffeelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 57Chaffee, Fremont, Parkelk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 58Park, Fremont, Chaffeeelk CWD testing, lion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 84Pueblo, Huerfano, Custerlion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 86Custer, Fremont, Chaffeeelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC
GMU 481Chaffeelion group 8, spring turkey OTC
GMU 691Fremont, Custerelk antler point rule, lion group 15, spring turkey OTC

GMU totals from 2024 give a sense of the game: GMU 84 produced 529 deer.

UnitSpeciesHarvestHuntersPct success
GMU 48Elk9333927%
GMU 48Deer5418729%
GMU 48Pronghorn42915%
GMU 48Black bear4––
GMU 49Elk37897139%
GMU 49Deer34372947%
GMU 49Pronghorn2247%
GMU 49Black bear1––
GMU 56Elk9942124%
GMU 56Deer11134432%
GMU 56Pronghorn050%
GMU 56Black bear1––
GMU 57Elk16348334%
GMU 57Deer14830349%
GMU 57Pronghorn143539%
GMU 58Elk28890632%
GMU 58Deer22849546%
GMU 58Pronghorn448851%
GMU 58Black bear6––
GMU 84Elk27272238%
GMU 84Deer5291,17945%
GMU 84Pronghorn13130144%
GMU 84Black bear15––
GMU 86Elk2921,93415%

GMU overlay from the CPW Big Game GMU layer; unit rules from the 2026 Big Game brochure; 2024 elk harvest by GMU, 2024 deer harvest by GMU, 2024 pronghorn harvest by GMU, 2024 bear harvest by GMU; checked November 5, 2026.

Finding Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area on the ground

Coordinates used on this page: 38.9000, -106.1683.

Map the point

point from CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (49 polygons) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part); checked November 5, 2026.

Supply towns and CPW help near Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

The handiest town is Hartsel, 21 miles off in a straight line. A bigger stop is Aspen: population 6,556 in 2024. CPW Salida Office is the closest CPW office, about 27 miles.

TownCountyPeople (2024)DistanceDirection
HartselPark–21 milesnortheast
FairplayPark75524 milesnorth
LeadvilleLake2,62425 milesnorth
SalidaChaffee6,00727 milessouth
AspenPitkin6,55641 milesnorthwest
CPW Salida Office

CPW office · Salida, Chaffee County · about 27 mi away

(719) 530-5520Plot the wayBusiness web
Wilderness Country Taxidermy

taxidermy · Buena Vista, Chaffee County · about 4 mi away

(719) 966-5199Plot the wayBusiness web
Leadville Armory

sporting goods · Leadville, Lake County · about 25 mi away

(719) 486-0340Plot the wayBusiness web
Real Wilderness Taxidermy

taxidermy · Salida, Chaffee County · about 27 mi away

(719) 530-8989Plot the wayBusiness web
Headwaters Outdoor Equipment

sporting goods · Salida, Chaffee County · about 27 mi away

(719) 539-4506Plot the way
Crippen's Processing

meat processing · Lake George, Park County · about 44 mi away

(719) 748-5450Plot the wayBusiness web

Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); CPW offices from the CPW Contact Us page; businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 5, 2026.

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area and the land around it

If Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is busy, Heckendorf SWA lies 2 miles to the west. Close by you will find 3 SWAs and 3 trust land parcels. No hunting at Buena Vista State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting), Harmon State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting) and Johnson Village State Wildlife Area (Fishing Easement) (CPW lists no hunting).

Public landKindAcresCountyDistanceDirection
Heckendorf SWASWA720Chaffee2 mileswest
Chesmore SWA (Fishing Easement)SWA5Chaffee5 milessoutheast
Chubb Park STLState trust land3,640Chaffee8 mileseast
Maxwell Park STLState trust land4,901Chaffee9 milessouth
Burns Canyon STLState trust land600Chaffee10 milessoutheast
Clear Creek Reservoir SWASWA500Chaffee10 milesnorthwest

Point: CPW Managed Properties (public access only) layer, CPWAdminData (49 polygons) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside) of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from lands.json closed rows. Statewide public land map.

Game and terrain near Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

White-tailed deer buck
White-tailed deer buck
White-tailed buck emerging from the tree line at the edge of a field
White-tailed buck emerging from the tree line at the edge of a field
White-tailed deer buck in the trees
White-tailed deer buck in the trees

Legal light on Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, opener by opener

Walk-In Access properties open an hour before sunrise and close an hour after sunset, two hours for waterfowl, deer, elk and pronghorn hunters.

DayMomentFirst sunLast sunRifle hoursShotgun hours
Aug 15, 2026Pronghorn bow opener6:18 a.m.8:02 p.m.5:48 a.m. to 8:32 p.m.5:48 a.m. to 8:02 p.m.
Sep 2, 2026Archery opener6:34 a.m.7:36 p.m.6:04 a.m. to 8:06 p.m.6:04 a.m. to 7:36 p.m.
Sep 12, 2026Muzzleloader opens6:43 a.m.7:20 p.m.6:13 a.m. to 7:50 p.m.6:13 a.m. to 7:20 p.m.
Oct 3, 2026Duck season opens7:01 a.m.6:47 p.m.6:31 a.m. to 7:17 p.m.6:31 a.m. to 6:47 p.m.
Oct 24, 2026Second rifle opens7:22 a.m.6:16 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 6:46 p.m.6:52 a.m. to 6:16 p.m.
Nov 23, 2026Lion season opens6:56 a.m.4:48 p.m.6:26 a.m. to 5:18 p.m.6:26 a.m. to 4:48 p.m.
Dec 21, 2026Shortest day7:19 a.m.4:47 p.m.6:49 a.m. to 5:17 p.m.6:49 a.m. to 4:47 p.m.

Furbearer night rules are in the CPW small game brochure.

Hours rules from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure and the Small Game and Waterfowl brochure; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Mountain Time); checked November 5, 2026. Legal hours for every county.

Range stops on the way to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Chaffee County Shooting Range (per the CPW page) is 17 miles from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Beside it sit the closest club ranges inside 30 miles.

Chaffee County Shooting Range
CPW range

Salida, Chaffee County · 17 mi

Set up for: rifle, handgun, rimfire, shotgun, archery

Open to the public · cpw.state.co.us, checked Nov 4, 2026

Buena Vista Sportsman's Club
gun club

Buena Vista, Chaffee County · 6 mi

Set up for: handgun, rifle, trap, shotgun

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

Leadville Rod & Gun
Club
gun club

Leadville, Lake County · 26 mi

Set up for: rifle, handgun, trap, skeet, shotgun

Members only · boisegunclub.com, checked Nov 4, 2026

From the CPW Shooting Range Finder, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 5, 2026.

Backup spots for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Recreation area

Cameo Shooting and Education Complex Recreation Area

5,652 acres, 117 mi

State park

State Forest State Park

71,024 acres

State park

Fishers Peak State Park

19,253 acres

State park

Lake Pueblo State Park

12,885 acres

State parksWildlife refugesPublic land map

Quick answers about Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Is there an official website for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Yes, run by Colorado Parks and Wildlife: the official page.

Is there an entry fee or permit for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Daily or annual parks pass, Colorado license, designated areas only.

Roughly how much country does Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area take in?

About 5,115 acres in all.

What part of Colorado holds Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Look in Chaffee County, Fremont County and Lake County.

Which game management units cover Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

The CPW GMU layer gives GMU 48, GMU 49, GMU 56, GMU 57, GMU 58, GMU 84, GMU 86, GMU 481 and 1 more.

Which seasons apply on Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Whatever is in season in its GMUs, subject to the access rules.

Is there OTC elk on Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Not entirely; 4 OTC rows apply, such as archery (OTC, residents), and the rest need the draw.

Is CWD testing required for elk from Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

GMU 49, GMU 57 and GMU 58: mandatory CWD sampling for listed rifle elk hunt codes. Antler point rule: GMU 86 and GMU 691.

What is the closest town with services to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

The closest town with a page here is Hartsel (21 miles).

Which CPW contact handles Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

CPW Salida Office in Salida, (719) 530-5520 (27 miles away). Poaching tips can go to CPW Turn In Poachers.

Orange or pink on Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

Solid orange or pink, at least 500 square inches above the waist, and a hat, for firearm deer, elk, pronghorn, moose and bear.

Is it legal to hunt over bait on Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area?

No. It is illegal to hunt big game, turkey, small game or migratory birds over bait in Colorado, whoever placed it.

What legal shooting hours apply on Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area in November?

Big game: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. On November 7, 2026 that works out to 6:08 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Chaffee County (NOAA solar formula).

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area: the final check

Confirm your hunt code, GMU and the open dates for Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area before you load the truck.

Public land pinsEvery Colorado placeChaffee CountyState parksSource website

Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3; seasons from the 2026 Colorado Big Game brochure. Checked November 5, 2026.

Other photos on this page: ShenandoahNPS (Public domain); USFWS Mountain Prairie (Public domain); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0).