Explore Trips
Eat, stay and play!
Tucked into south-central Colorado along the Arkansas River and the old Denver & Rio Grande rail line, Cotopaxi is a small, unhurried town where the scenery does the talking. Granite canyon walls rise straight out of the river, the Sangre de Cristo range sits just to the south, and Highway 50 rolls through the middle of it all. Most travelers breeze past, but the ones who stop find some of the best whitewater, Colorado fly fishing, and backcountry riding in the state.
Cotopaxi sits on a 102-mile stretch of Gold Medal Water, which is Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s top designation for trout fishing. It is also the heart of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, one of the most scenic and family-friendly whitewater runs on the Arkansas. If you are planning a river day, a base camp, or a full weekend, this page is your shortlist for where to eat, where to stay, and what to do once you are off the water.
Rafting in Cotopaxi is as easy as stepping outside. Our outpost is right on US-50, and both Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon trips launch from town. For a bigger adventure, the Royal Gorge trip puts in about 45 minutes east near Cañon City, giving you everything from mellow family floats to Class II–IV whitewater within easy reach.
📍 Cotopaxi location: 19487 US-50, Cotopaxi, CO 81223
🌊 Rafting season: Mid-May to Labor Day weekend
Cotopaxi is small, so dining options are limited but memorable. These are the local standbys river guides and return guests point to.
Cotopaxi is best enjoyed as a riverside basecamp. Cabins, RV parks, and creekside resorts put you within minutes of the put-in.
Beyond the river, Cotopaxi is surrounded by national forest, BLM land, and some of the best backcountry driving in the state.
How far is Cotopaxi from our rafting trips?
Arkansas River Tours has a location directly in Cotopaxi at 19487 US-50, so rafting trips launch within the town itself. Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Cottonwood Canyon trips depart from or near the Cotopaxi outpost, while the Royal Gorge trip launches about 45 minutes east near Cañon City.
What is there to do in Cotopaxi, Colorado?
The main things to do in Cotopaxi are whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, Gold Medal fly fishing, ATV and UTV tours, hiking the Rainbow Trail, and scenic driving through the Arkansas River canyon. The town is a quiet riverside basecamp, so most activities center on the river and the surrounding Pike and San Isabel National Forests.
Is Cotopaxi a good place to go fly fishing?
Yes — Cotopaxi sits on one of the longest continuous stretches of Gold Medal Water in Colorado, a 102-mile designation from Colorado Parks & Wildlife that recognizes exceptional trout habitat. The Arkansas River through this area holds healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout and fishes well from spring through late fall. Arkansas River Tours runs guided float and wade fishing trips directly from the Cotopaxi outpost.
What is the closest town to Cotopaxi with more restaurants?
Salida, about 25 minutes west on Highway 50, is the closest town with a full range of restaurants, breweries, and shops. Cañon City, about 45 minutes east, is the other nearby option. Cotopaxi itself has a small number of local favorites — the Cotopaxi Store and Riverside Cafe — plus riverside picnic sites in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
When is the best time to visit Cotopaxi for rafting?
The best time to raft from Cotopaxi is late May through early August, with peak flows typically in June. Early season trips are cold and punchy; late June offers the biggest water; July and August are warmer and family-friendly. Arkansas River Tours runs trips from May through early September depending on water levels.
Can’t decide which adventure is right for you? We’ve made it simple! Take our quick quiz to discover the perfect Arkansas River Tours trip. From heart-pounding rapids to laid-back family floats, we’ll match you with the experience that fits your location, activity, and thrill level.
Cañon City Location
49311 US Hwy 50 Unit B,
Cañon City, CO 81212
Cotopaxi Location
19487 US-50,
Cotopaxi, CO 81223