North America – USA – Colorado

Site Information

Arrowhead Point is a hang gliding site located near Buena Vista, Colorado. It is a western facing foot launch site that setup and launch is right from the dirt road to launch. The site is just above the Arrowhead Point campground. The site is not frequently flown but is quite soarable. Landing areas are abundant below including many campgrounds. The site requires a USHPA membership and a P2 or H2 rating. You will also need a helmet, a reserve parachute and a radio for safety.

The locations and directions of the launch and landing areas are as follows:

Launch: Arrowhead Point Launch

Latitude: 38.939321° N
Longitude: -106.154900° W
Elevation: 2963 m (9721 ft) MSL
Wind direction: W to SW
Wind speed: 5 to 15 mph
Directions: Take the Gable Creek turnoff from US 285 outside of Buena Vista. This is rough, 4wd dirt road to launch. You will need a truck and a driver to fly here.

Landing: Arrowhead Point LZ

Latitude: 38.933333° N
Longitude: -106.155556° W
Elevation: 2470 m (8104 ft) MSL
Wind direction: variable
Wind speed: variable
Directions: Follow the dirt road down from launch until you reach US 285. Turn left and drive for about 1 mile until you see a large open field on your right with a sign that says “Hang Gliding Landing Zone”. Turn right and park near the field.

Alternative Landing: Arrowhead Point Campground

Latitude: 38.936111° N
Longitude: -106.156667° W
Elevation: 2515 m (8251 ft) MSL
Wind direction: variable
Wind speed: variable
Directions: Follow the dirt road down from launch until you reach US 285. Turn left and drive for about 0.5 mile until you see a sign that says “Arrowhead Point Campground”. Turn right and enter the campground. Look for a large open area near the river that is suitable for landing.

Flying Conditions and Restrictions

The site has several hazards and limitations that pilots should be aware of, such as:

The optimal wind direction for flying at Arrowhead Point is west to southwest. The optimal wind speed is 5 to 15 mph. The weather is sunny and dry most of the year, but cold and snowy in winter. Thunderstorms are possible in summer, so avoid flying when they are nearby.
The launch space is limited to the road cut, which means that you will need to be quick and precise when launching. The launch also has some trees nearby, so be careful not to hit them.
The site is not frequently flown, which means that there may not be many other pilots around to help you or give you advice. You will need to rely on your own skills and judgment when flying here.
The site is a high-altitude big air mountain site that can be challenging for inexperienced pilots. You will need to master thermalling skills, launch timing techniques, scratch ridge soaring, thermal cycle prediction and management, and restricted landing practice.
The landing areas are abundant below, but some of them may have obstacles such as fences, rocks, trees, or animals. You will need to scout the landing areas before flying and choose one that is suitable for your skill level and wind direction.
The site requires a USHPA membership and a P2 or H2 rating. You will also need a helmet, a reserve parachute and a radio for safety.
You will need to respect the landowners and neighbors who live nearby. Do not fly over houses or roads, do not land in prohibited areas, do not fly in strong winds or thunderstorms, and follow all FAA regulations.

Best Times to Fly and Visit

The best time to fly at Arrowhead Point is from spring through fall, when the weather is sunny and dry and the winds are favorable for soaring. The site is launchable in any W to SW wind direction, but the optimal wind speed is 5 to 15 mph. The site can get cold and snowy in winter, so make sure to check the forecast before you go. Thunderstorms are possible in summer, so avoid flying when they are nearby.

The best time to visit Colorado for hang gliding is also from spring through fall, when you can enjoy the diverse landscape and amazing views of the state. Colorado has many other great hang gliding locations besides Arrowhead Point, such as Colorado Springs, Denver, Aspen, Silverthorne, Golden, Salida, Durango, Steamboat Springs, and Dinosaur. You can see all the way to the Continental Divide from some of these locations, and experience different climates and terrains.

There are no record flights from Arrowhead Point that we know of, but if you are feeling adventurous and skilled enough, you can try to set one yourself! Just make sure to follow all the safety rules and regulations and respect the landowners and neighbors.

More Information

If you want to learn more about hang gliding at Arrowhead Point or other locations in Colorado, you can check out the following resources:

Colorado Hang Gliding: This is a website that provides information about hang gliding and paragliding in Colorado. You can find a list of hang gliding and paragliding outfitters, schools, clubs, and events in the state. You can also learn about the history, safety, and regulations of the sport. See ² for more details.
Rocky Mountain Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association: This is a non-profit organization that promotes and supports hang gliding and paragliding in Colorado. You can join the association as a member and enjoy benefits such as access to sites, newsletters, events, discounts, and insurance. You can also find information about flying sites, weather, safety, education, and advocacy on their website. See for more details.