The recreation area includes sections in and near the Colorado towns of Buena Vista, Salida, Cañon City and Florence.

The recreation area includes parts of Browns Canyon National Monument, established in 2015.

The national monument is accessible through the recreation area's Ruby Mountain and Hecla Junction river sites.

In a 152-mile (245-kilometer) stretch that includes the recreation area, the Arkansas River decreases 4,650 feet (1,420 meters) in elevation.

[2][3] Other activities include kayaking, boating, gold panning, rock climbing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.