Where You’ll Be:
Hecla Junction, located in Browns Canyon National Monument, is part of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA). Just 20 minutes from the outdoor-loving town of Salida, this area is known for its river and the recreational opportunities it provides. The Arkansas River here is one of the most popular rafting destinations in the country and a hotspot for brown trout fishing.
With mountain views, deep canyons, lush riparian habitats, and a variety of wildlife—such as bald eagles and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep—Hecla Junction is the ideal spot to spend a weekend.
Volunteers will camp in a scenic area near the river, thanks to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). During your free time, you can fish, relax by the river, or explore Salida!
What You’ll Do:
The project’s goal is to improve accessibility by making a section of the Hecla Junction Trail ADA-compliant. Volunteers will work on a 1-mile stretch of trail to perform tread work and remove rocks, refine and repair sections of the trail while closing social trails, and construct a staircase down a steep section of the trail.
Breakfast and lunch is provided on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday.
Bring your own dinner for Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.
Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 PM on Friday.
Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!
We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen!
View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up!
Why It Matters:
Hecla Junction Boat Ramp hosts over 75,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most loved outdoor recreation spaces in the state. By volunteering you will be helping to preserve and stabilize a popular area of the AHRA and make it more accessible to those who otherwise may not be able to venture as far out.
This project directly contributes to making outdoor recreation more inclusive and sustainable, providing a safer and more enjoyable environment for future visitors.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Project Difficulty:
This project is rated easy to moderate and offers a variety of tasks, making it an excellent opportunity for volunteers to make a meaningful impact without heavy physical strain.
Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible – no vehicle restrictions. The site is just a couple hours from Denver, and volunteers can easily take the CDOT Outrider bus into Salida if needed.
Other Notes: CPW has provided VOC with a beautiful campground near the Arkansas River, offering plenty of opportunities for fishing, relaxing, and exploring the nearby town of Salida.
