There is nothing quite as ahhh-mazing as warming up, relaxing and rejuvenating chin-deep in blissful natural hot springs. Geothermal-rich Chaffee County…
Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado
Outdoor Activities
Land Management and state of Colorado – is land open for recreation and encompasses about 80 percent of the terrain in the county. Multiple public access points allow visitors and locals alike to delight in the diversity of terrain. Colorado’s highest 14,000-foot peaks rise above the river valley. Below and along the way to these Sawatch Range summits are hundreds of high-alpine hiking routes, piñon and juniper forests, high-desert rock formations and the Arkansas River flows through the core of the lower landscape below.
Chaffee County boasts four wilderness areas – Collegiate Peaks, Buffalo Peaks, Sangre de Cristo and Mount Massive. In the very heart of the valley is Browns Canyon National Monument, newly-designated by presidential decree in February 2015.
Internationally renowned, Colorado and Continental Divide trails skirt the west side of the valley, affording sweeping views to the east.
Fourmile Travel Management Area east of Buena Vista is 100,000 acres of radiant rock, water, plant and geologic formations. It has a rich mining, ranching and railroading history within its boundaries. Fourmile’s unique geology and temperate mini climate means it is often accessible during winter months for hiking, cycling, trail-running, off-highway vehicles and other outdoor pursuits. Numerous parking areas accommodate trailers and dispersed campsites are located in the area.
Hiking, trail-running and bicycling trails are just outside of downtowns. The Dorothy Whipple and Colorado Midland Trails ascend from the east end of Buena Vista while the Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain trail systems are east and south of Salida.
Summer
Outdoor Adventures
Fishing in the Upper Arkansas Valley is a superb blend of river and big country. With 102 miles of Gold Medal water, the longest contiguous stretch in…
Welcome to the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area! This is one of the nation’s most popular locations for whitewater rafting and kayaking…
Rimmed by the mighty Sawatch, Mosquito and Sangre de Cristo mountains, Chaffee County is a breathtaking place to get outdoors. Like sentinels lining the…
There are a three Zipline Tours and Aerial Parks in Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado. Flying through the air on a zipline at speeds up to 40+ miles per…
Off roaders find spectacular scenery and access to remote mountain areas throughout Chaffee County. Non-technical rolling cruises such as Marshall Pass…
In Buena Vista, Colorado swimming, sunning and playing with your dogs are major activities here. The park is also connected to soccer fields, a disc…
Summer running, had me a blast, summer running, happened so fast… Oh sorry, Grease fans, that’s not exactly how that song goes, but in…
Sport climbs, trad routes and bouldering problems to test your strength, ability and strategy await rock climbers in the Upper Arkansas River Valley…
Mule deer are common right in town. Elk and pronghorns are also plentiful in the valley. Look for them in open fields. Moose can also be viewed in areas…
A total of 127 different minerals have been identified in Chaffee County. The best known of the valley’s gem fields is Mount Antero where…
Art Galleries
The visual appeal of Salida and Buena Vista has long inspired those visiting the…
Golf
Find out for yourself on the golf courses in the Arkansas River Valley in Salida…
Museums & Historical Tours
Rimmed by the mighty Sawatch, Mosquito and Sangre de Cristo mountains, Chaffee County…
Winter
Outdoor Adventures
Snowmobiling
Hundreds of miles of backcountry trails near Salida and Buena Vista are groomed each…
Dog Sledding
Dog sled tours based on Monarch Pass and an annual dry land dog sled competition…
Snowshoeing & Nordic Skiing
For cross-country skiers and snowshoers looking to try out a backcountry trail, the…