So I’m moving to Pueblo CO. I will be in between jobs at the time. I want to take this opportunity to take some extended time off. I have a few questions someone who has a passion for rafting could answer. And hopefully even have some general knowledge about the area I will be in.

I will be renting a kayak before I leave pueblo and having a friend drop me off in Salida. I want to take me and all my camping/fishing gear through the Arkansas river, alone. Time is not an issue. So i have plenty of time to take it easy and explore and spend many many nights out there. I’ve just never ridden rapids before. I’ve been watching youtube videos of people rafting through some of those stretches of the river. And it all looks like I wont have anything to worry about. The worst part looks likes the stretch of rapids between the canyon walls. I’ve even put my google earth program into flight simulater mode and flown over the river from A-Z and dont see any damns or anything blocking the whole path, is this true. Also, how much does it cost to row that 100 mile stretch? How far in advance do I need to take care of that? Can I get away with not paying anything? Will anyone stop me? What will they do? Blow a whistle? Also… Are there any week or weeks long tours I could just go on? With a tour guide that hangs out with the crew for a week or two? Is there anything else that would help, like what kind of kayak i need, lemme know. okthxbye.

I can answer one part of your question, and unfortunately only one.

There are some pretty nasty rapids in that stretch! Class 5. You REALLY need to know what you are doing for some spots.

What time of year are you planning on being there? and What time of year were those videos taken? If they were taken in the late summer, of course they look calm. If you are planning on kayaking through there in May or early June, you’ll encounter much heavier whitewater.

You need to know what you are looking at.

The rest, if you search Buena Vista and Salida chambers of commerce, you will find places that can help you with more information.