Parkdale Recreation Site provides the primary public access point before the Arkansas River enters the Royal Gorge, featuring a boat ramp/slide, changing facilities, picnic tables, restrooms, and fishing access.

This is a fee site and the last opportunity to scout or portage before Class IV-V rapids; the Royal Gorge section is not recommended at flows over 3,200 cfs and requires boaters to be fully prepared as walking out is not an option due to difficult terrain and an active railroad on the left bank.