Riversport Championships — Arkansas River

Salida, Colorado

Image from fibark.net
Whitewater
★★★★★ 5.0

The Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado hosts FIBArk — America's oldest and most prestigious whitewater kayak festival. The 'First in Boating on the Arkansas' runs every June with slalom, wildwater, and rodeo events.

WhitewaterKayakFIBArkSlalomRodeoWildwaterOldest Event

Watch: Riversport Championships — Arkansas River

via THV11 on YouTube

Know Before You Go

Practice vs events
Whitewater courses run open paddle sessions during the week and competition events (slalom, freestyle, raft races) on weekends. Booking and PFD rental required.
Water release schedule
Many courses run on scheduled water releases — flow rates change by hour and day. Confirm release windows before you drive; off-flow the channel is calm pond water.
Skill prerequisites
Open paddle requires demonstrated swift-water competence (roll, eddy turns, ferries). Beginners take a course before they can put in solo — book intro classes early.

Location & Directions

Get Directions

Nearby Venues

Compare 0