Trip Ideas

Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado

Winter Bucket List: 11 Must-Do Adventures

By Sue Bjorkman Winter Bucket List: 11 Must-Do Adventures in Chaffee County Dare to try something new. Go where you’ve never been. Find exhilaration and enchantment in this sunny, snowy wild playground. Explore. Discover. We’re quite the ‘Bucket List’ destination so...

Romance in the Rockies: Valentine’s Day 2019

By Sue Bjorkman Events & Specials in Salida Colorado Valentine’s Day Chef’s Tasting & Wine Dinner: A five-course dinner with wine pairings awaits at the Biker and the Baker Wine & Dessert Bar in Salida. Chef Sarah Gartzman and her team prepare each gourmet...

Backcountry Adventures Abound

By Sue Bjorkamn Backcountry Adventures Abound: Get Out Buena Vista and Salida's Wild Side Put the backcountry on the forefront of your winter adventures with these upcoming backcountry events. Get inspired by films and try new snowsport experiences with...

Craft Cocktail Culture

By Sue Bjorkman Craft Cocktail Culture in Buena Vista and Salida, Colorado It should come as no surprise that our artsy towns have a thriving Craft Cocktail Culture. In such a creative area, even making drinks becomes an art. Memorable and modern; these cocktails...

Electric Charging Stations at 1950’s Retro-Inspired Motel

Electric Charging Stations at 1950’s Retro-Inspired Motel The Circle R Motel is pleased to announce the addition of two new electric car chargers that are in the style of 1950’s gas pumps. One charger is a 4-hour charger, and the other is an 8-hour charger. Our guests...

Barbara Whipple Trails in Buena Vista

By Sue Bjorkman Three things you’ll never run out of here – trails, views and adventures. But hiking and mountain biking trails aren’t always found way ‘out there.’ The Barbara Whipple Trail System and the Midland Trail System is found right at the end of east Main...

Best Breakfasts in Salida

By Sue Bjorkman Coffee #1) Brown Dog Coffee Co: Breathe in that amazing aroma of whole bean coffee roasted on-site. The beans are sourced from family-owned farms in Brazil, Costa Rica, Columbia, Mexico and beyond. Located in historic downtown, this cozy coffeehouse...

Community Organizations: Making a Difference

By Sue Bjorkman Chaffee County Community Foundation The newly-formed Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) focuses on a wide spectrum of issues vital to keeping this area vibrant and thriving. As a 501-c-3 charitable organization they are a powerful change-agent...

Chaffee County Lodging

By Sue Bjorkman Where you choose to relax and retreat can add a lot to the whole traveling experience. Whether you want to rough it in the backcountry or treat yourself royally in a first-class hotel, we’ve got what you’re looking for. And either way, local lodging...

Live Music Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado

Live Music Schedule for February 2019 in Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado.

Best Breakfasts in Buena Vista

By Sue Bjorkman Coffee #1) Brown Dog Coffee Co: Get the best on-site roasted coffee at this cozy, relaxing spot. It’s the perfect jolt for the day’s adventures like nearby hikes and hot springs. The coffee is sourced from family-owned farms in Central and South...

Salida Wedding Fair

Buena Vista & Salida, ColoradoBuena Vista & Salida, ColoradoBuena Vista & Salida, ColoradoBuena Vista & Salida, ColoradoBuena Vista & Salida, ColoradoBuena Vista & Salida, Colorado Heart Of The Rockies Wedding FairSalida, Colorado |...

Harness the Adventure

Ziplines and Aerial Parks Captain Zipline Aerial Adventure Park Three different and daring adventures await in one location: The Lost Canyon Zipline Tour has captured the attention of national media from Outside Magazine to National...

Yoga Retreats

Vacations aren’t what they used to be. Now we want them to be life-enhancing, even life-changing. Instead of being an excuse for indulgence, sometimes we want them to be about wellness and meditative, restorative experiences. One way to do this...

Happy Trails

American Discovery Trail The newest of the “Long Trails,” the ADT runs through 15 states from California to Delaware. Even if you hiked all 6,800 miles of the American Discovery trail from sea to shining sea, you won’t find a more...

Salida’s Sweet Spots

By Sue Bjorkman There is nothing cookie-cutter about Salida’s bakeries and sweet shops. Independent entrepreneur-owned businesses tempt and treat you to uniquely creative specialties. Talented local bakers, pastry chefs and confectioners bake everything...

Seven Peaks Music Festival

New Country Fest Transforms Labor Day Weekend in Buena Vista “Now I'm standing at the top with the sweat behind me Yeah, you gotta look up if you ever wanna find me,” from Dierks Bentley’s ‘The Mountain His home may be in Tennessee, but Dierks...

Arkansas River Is Open For Business

Late Storms Boost Snowpack for Ideal Whitewater Rafting Season Late spring storms have boosted the snowpack back to 100 percent. For whitewater rafting enthusiasts, this is the equivalent of a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. arkansas...

Chaffee County Recreation Areas

Sangre de Cristo National Forest Use Salida as your base camp to explore the nearby Sangre de Cristo National Forest. Head south over Poncha Pass into the San Luis Valley, one of the biggest, highest alpine valleys in North America. The valley...

Arkansas River Ideal Flows

Whitewater Rafting Offers Exciting Fun at All Levels! The annual life cycle of mountain snow turning into river flows is happening. With this year’s average snowpack and full reservoirs, flows on the Arkansas River provide ideal whitewater...

Chaffee County Golf

Collegiate Peaks Golf Course Buena Vista, Colorado Playing golf at Collegiate Peaks Golf Course is a different experience. First, with all this breathtaking beauty, you’ll need extra focus to keep your eye on the ball. This gorgeous nine-hole...

Do-It-Yourself Digital Detox

By Sue Bjorkman Do-It-Yourself Digital Detox A ‘Digital Detox’ is basically a technology cleanse when you stop using all electronic devices including smart phones, tablets, computers and fitness trackers. That means no internet searches,...

Campout for the Cause

3-Day Music Fest is Utopia for Yoga, Camping and Connections If it’s true what they say that your vibe attracts your tribe, then all you music-lovers, yoga enthusiasts, and caring campers will want to experience this year’s Campout for the Cause. A...

2018 Best Fests in Chaffee County

Start Making Plans To Be Here For These Fantastic Fests! CKS PADDLEFEST: (Buena Vista) MAY 25-28 This Memorial Weekend fest splashes us into summer on the Arkansas River. If you’re at all kayak-curious, this is the mecca. If you just like...

Salida Arts Festivals – 2018

Take Part in Salida's Art at these Premier Fests By Sue Bjorkman Another beautiful summer of artsy festivals in the “biggest little art town in Colorado,” is on the way. This year-round unpretentious and eclectic art scene gets even more vibrant with a...

Chaffee County 2018 Wedding and Reception Venues

Wedding venues in Chaffee County are anything but typical. Nature conspires to add spectacular beauty and charm to every venue in Salida and Buena Vista. The tallest mountains, the wildest river, the bluest skies – that’s our signature Central...

Chaffee County 2018 Wedding Vendors

You’ve found each other. You’ve found the place where your memories will begin. Congratulations! Now what? Now dig into the delightful details and decisions that complete the dream. Salida and Buena Vista’s creative local wedding and celebration...

So Much to Love About Valentine’s Day in Chaffee County

By Sue Bjorkman As Valentine’s Day approaches, you’ve got some decisions to make. Roses or Rocky Mountains? Going to the movies or going to make memories? Well, we didn’t say they were hard decisions, did we? It all seems pretty simple. Simply Salida or...

SteamPlant Theater and Event Center

SteamPlant Theater and Event Center By Sue Bjorkman The Steam Plant Theater and Event Center lights up Salida as its cultural hub. Originally Salida’s first electric company, this 1800s building is now energized with entertainment. The oldest part of the...

AEDs Provide Additional Layer of Safety to Whitewater Rafting

Arkansas River Organizations Collaborate in Unprecedented Program Arkansas River Organizations Collaborate in Unprecedented Program Every summer more than 200,000 people take guided or private whitewater rafting trips on the Arkansas...

Arkansas River Flows Stay Optimal All Summer

Voluntary Flow Management Program Keeps Summer Recreation Going Colorado’s rivers depend on snowmelt from nearby mountain ranges. Some years, there just isn’t enough of this marvelous melt to keep the rivers rushing through summer vacation...

A Magnet for Musicians

By Sue Bjorkman Salida and Buena Vista Attract Big-Name Entertainment “Music is the universal language of mankind,” -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Nashville is known for Country Music; New Orleans for blues and jazz. Salida and Buena Vista?...

Salida Live Music Venues

By Sue Bjorkman Steamplant Theater Originally Salida’s first electric company in the 1800s, this historic building is now energized with entertainment. Compelling local, regional and national bands bring a wide variety of cultural experiences to...

Buena Vista Live Music Venues

By Sue Bjorkman The Lariat Bar and Grill For consistently great live music year-round, “The Rope” always rocks. It’s located on Main Street in a circa 1885 building that was once BV’s first post office. More than a century later, this popular...

Kayaks on Snow

Monarch Mountain Monarch Mountain’s Signature Event is a True Colorado Original This highly entertaining one-of-a-kind race falls into a category all its own, somewhere between a Boater and Skier Cross format. Snow groomers carve out a...

Make it ‘Hop-pen’ This Easter

Easter in Salida and Buena Vista When hunting for a place to spend Easter week, discover the beautiful “now this is Colorado” towns of Salida and Buena Vista. Here you’ll experience old-fashioned, small-town Easter celebrations complete with the...

Happy Camping in Chaffee County

What’s the quintessential way to experience the heart of Colorado? Going camping, of course. Chaffee camping is the ultimate chance to get immersed in nature in one of the most beautiful areas in the state. Unplug from technology and reboot...

Into the Wild Beyond: Backcountry Day

Backcountry Day at Monarch & Buena Vista Backcountry Day at Monarch Celebrates and Educates Get off the beaten path and into the wild at upcoming backcountry events in Chaffee County. Head to Monarch Mountain Ski Area on Jan. 13 for...

Group Get-Away Adventures: Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties

Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties Extraordinary, unforgettable weekends need a location that’s up to the challenge. Done. Come celebrate the best of times in Salida and Buena Vista by experiencing a crazy abundance of adventures. This...

Après Ski Salida

DRINK: Irish Coffee Part wake-me-up, part wind-me-down, an Irish Coffee is the perfect snowy day sipper. It’s made with four parts hot coffee, two parts Irish whiskey, a teaspoon of sugar and some cream (regular or whipped). Drinking it at more...

Après Ski Buena Vista

Drink: Manhattan Smooth and sophisticated, the Manhattan is a great option for counteracting that cold chill. This cocktail is a mix of whiskey (traditionally rye or bourbon), vermouth (either sweet red or dry white) and a few dashes of bitters....

Your Winter Guide to Salida

Sometimes the best present under the tree isn’t the biggest one with the shiniest bow. Sometimes the one that is full of surprises and unexpected delights is the little, almost-hidden one. The one you discover while everyone else is busy with the big one....

Your Winter Guide to Buena Vista

With a name that translates to “beautiful view,” you’d expect Buena Vista to be a pretty place. But the natural grandeur here exceeds all expectations. Surrounded by the Arkansas River to one side and the impressive snowcapped Collegiate Peaks on the...

Unique to Colorado – Chaffee County

1. Get Artsy in Salida! To say that Salida’s scenery is picturesque is an understatement. But even words like “beautiful!” and “spectacular!” often seem not quite enough to describe it. So let’s just say, being here will color your world. Salida is set...

Easter

Easter In Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado When hunting for a place to spend Easter week, discover the beautiful “now this is Colorado” towns of Salida and Buena Vista. Here you’ll experience old-fashioned, small-town Easter celebrations...

Salida National Historic District

By Sue Bjorkman While many cities have traded their history for modern buildings, it’s just the opposite in Salida. History is not only embraced and celebrated but also proudly visible. The Salida Downtown Historic District is the largest...

Winter Guide to Chaffee County Hot Springs

By Sue Bjorkman Hot Springs Heaven There is nothing quite as ahhh-mazing as warming up, relaxing and rejuvenating chin-deep in blissful natural hot springs. Geothermal-rich Chaffee County has springs of continuous pure, mineral-rich hot...

Haunted With History

By Sue Bjorkman Gold Rush & Ghost Towns What’s the connection between gold and ghost towns? Everything. In Chaffee County the two are inextricably linked. Chaffee County in the mid-1800s was gold-rush central. Haunted history. Caught up in the...

Four Mile Recreation Area

Fourmile Recreation Area Avenue to Adventure By Sue Bjorkman In a world of “Private Property” and “No Trespassing” signs, Chaffee County’s Fourmile Recreation Area offers something completely different. This 100,000 acres of wilderness is all public land making...

Winter WOOF-erland

Monarch Dog Sled Rides By Sue Bjorkman Mention dog sledding and the first image that comes to mind is Alaska’s grueling 1,000 mile Iditarod race. This wild event began in 1973 mainly to revive the dying dogsledding tradition. In Chaffee County,...

Destination: Distillery

Try Chaffee County's Craft Industry Outdoor adventures, art galleries, festivals, hot springs…People come to Chaffee County for many reasons. But a flourishing craft industry is making Salida and Buena Vista a ‘Distillery Destination.’ Both towns...

Monarch Mountain Mania

Monarch Mountain Mania Count Down to Opening Day While some Colorado ski areas have already opened, Monarch Mountain Ski Area in Chaffee County does things a little differently. And it is something skiers and boarders can really be thankful for. Monarch always ties...

Christmas Mountain

Visit Salida, Colorado To See Christmas Mountain November 23, 2018 - January 6, 2019 Friday, November 23, 2018 Parade of Lights at 6pm Lighting of the worlds largest Christmas Tree on Christmas Mountain to follow. Holiday Park open through the Holidays...

First Fourteener?

By Sue Bjorkman So, you’ve decided to climb a 14er. Congrats! You’re in the perfect place. Chaffee has the most 14ers of any other Colorado county. But of course, getting to the summit of one of these majestic mountains is not even in the same ballpark as just...

Caddis, Camping and Comradery in Colorado

'Sisters on the Fly' Event Draws Fly Fisherwomen to the Arkansas River Sisters on the Fly By Sue Bjorkman Every spring they rise – by the millions it seems – so many it looks like a snow storm. They’re the caddis, moth-like bugs that suddenly hatch on, above and...

Salida Circus With a Purpose

By Sue Bjorkman Salida Circus Confident, healthy, happy kids – that’s every parent’s wish. But the journey to this desired destination is always up for debate. Ideally we’d like our children challenged but not overly-competitive, confident but not cocky, a...

Meet the Mountains

By Sue Bjorkman Chaffee County 14ers If you’re a “peak bagger,” you already know this area well. That’s because Chaffee County holds a unique distinction. It has the highest concentration of mountains over 14,000 feet (or 4,266 meters) in Colorado and the nation....

Harvest Time At Colorado Farm To Table

Sue Bjorkman Volunteers Needed in the Fields and Beyond Rows and rows of green vegetables are currently growing on an unusually fertile plot of land just outside of Salida. After months of being carefully tended, watered and blessed by Colorado...

Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway

Driven By Adventure The Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway By Sue Bjorkman There are road trips and then there are “nowhere else I’d rather be” cruising experiences. Tooling down the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway in Chaffee County inspires that kind of feeling. For 57...

Historic Buena Vista

By Sue Bjorkman Explore Historic Buena Vista Buena Vista’s spectacular natural beauty can be distracting. Framed by the majestic Collegiate Peaks to the west and the Arkansas River to the east, it is blessed with endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. People...

Embracing Summer Racing

By Sue Bjorkman Enjoy Chaffee County Racing 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 Colorado it seems people really love running races. Especially in summer. There...

Music Puts the Soul in Soulcraft Brewing

By Sue Bjorkman In Colorado’s crazy-competitive craft beer arena, what makes the difference between soaring success and sorry, we’re closed? Sometimes, in addition to making amazing beers, it helps to find a niche. Soulcraft Brewery in Salida, Colorado,...

Elevation Beer: A Better Buzz

Elevation Beer Co. By Sue Bjorkman Growing up in a small town, it was a given that everybody knew everybody’s business. A bummer when you’re trying to get away with something; a source of constant entertainment when someone else is. As an adult, I’m...

Colorado Brewers Rendezvous

By Sue Bjorkman Most beer lovers assume beer fests are for them. Like the liquid smorgasbord is a thank you gift for being loyal craft beer fans. But the Colorado Brewers Rendezvous wasn’t originally intended for you, the beer drinker. Don’t get me wrong, you’re...

14erFest Celebrates Trails and the Adventurers Who Use Them

By Sue Bjorkman Celebrate Buena Vista's 14er Fest! Trail users unite! An adventurous new mountain festival invites outdoor enthusiasts to take to the trails together in Buena Vista this fall. Set in one of Colorado’s most scenic small towns, the inaugural...

Wine Down in Chaffee County

By Sue Bjorkman Enjoy Chaffee County Wine Is it just a coincidence that wine descriptions --- such as exuberant, expansive and earthy -- also perfectly capture how it feels to spend time in Chaffee County? We don’t think so. Let’s add...

Active Seniors Itinerary – Five Days

Five Days Five Day Active Senior's Itinerary By Sue Bjorkman This is the era of intentional travel. The intention not just to visit a place but to live it – and in the case of Chaffee County, love it. Delve deep into the local scene – the art, the history, the...

Active Seniors Itinerary – Three Days

Three Day Three Day Active Senior's Itinerary By Sue Bjorkman This is the era of intentional travel. The intention not just to visit a place but to live it – and in the case of Chaffee County, love it. Delve deep into the local scene – the art, the history, the...

Salida Creative Arts District

By Sue Bjorkman Art is everywhere in Salida. Surrounded by a natural masterpiece of mountains, river and big sky, it’s a magnet for amazing talent. This town doesn’t create artists, it inspires and unleashes them. It’s no wonder then that Salida set the artistic...

8 Great & Unusual Lodging Options

By Sue Bjorkman Stay in Chaffee County! Whatever brings you to Chaffee County – from skiing to hiking to biking to festivals and art – you’ll need a restful place to stay. The area has numerous hotels and motels and campgrounds, but there are also some surprisingly...

Get 2 Know Colorado – Buena Vista

Buena Vista Buena Vista, Colorado We call it BEW-NIE! By Sue Bjorkman Buena Vista (Chaffee County) has a local pronunciation that merits some explanation. It is pronounced like the beginning of “beautiful” rather than the way it would be in Spanish...

Get 2 Know Colorado – Salida

Salida Salida, Colorado Now THIS Is Colorado! By Sue Bjorkman The welcome sign at the Chaffee County line reads, ‘Now This is Colorado.” You’ll immediately understand what this means. Even in a state as spectacular as Colorado, the striking views coming...

Family Itinerary – Five Days

By Sue Bjorkman Five Day Family Itinerary The secret to a B.V.E. (Best Vacation Ever) is memory-making adventures in a place of unparalleled beauty. This makes Chaffee County the ideal family get-away, where the potential for family-bonding is as high as the towering...

Family Itinerary – Three Days

By Sue Bjorkman Three Day Family Itinerary The secret to a B.V.E. (Best Vacation Ever) is memory-making adventures in a place of unparalleled beauty. This makes Chaffee County the ideal family get-away, where the potential for family-bonding is as high as the towering...

Couples Itinerary – Five Days

By Sue Bjorkman Five Day Romantic Itinerary Couples with a passion for paradise will find it in every ‘mountain rustic’ romantic corner of Chaffee County. Just being together in such an adventurous place amidst majestic mountains, rapid rivers, bluebird skies and...

Couples Itinerary – Three Days

By Sue Bjorkman Three Day Romantic Itinerary Couples with a passion for paradise will find it in every ‘mountain rustic’ romantic corner of Chaffee County. Just being together in such an adventurous place amidst majestic mountains, rapid rivers, bluebird skies and...

5 Favorite Ways to Revel in the Chaffee County Fair & Rodeo

By Sue Bjorkman You’ll find cowboys, concerts, carnival rides and so much more at the annual Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo (July 21-30) in Poncha Springs. With so much going on, we’ll break it down into 5 highlights to give you just a...

Browns Canyon National Monument

By Sue Bjorkman Most people discover Browns Canyon while whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River. More than 200,000 people take guided or private rafting trips through this exciting stretch every summer, making it the most popular whitewater rafting river in...

Ride Baby Ride

By Sue Bjorkman All Seasons Biking in Chaffee County Wheels just keep on turning in Chaffee County – every day in every season. With year-round access to numerous trails and treks, it’s a mecca for bikers of every type and level. From the gnarliest mountain...

Head West for Best Fests

By Sue Bjorkman Chaffee County, Colorado-Style CKS Paddlefest, Buena Vista May 26-29, 2017 Like the first time you stick your toes in the water after a cold winter, this Memorial Weekend fest splashes us into summer. If you’re at all kayak-curious, this is the...

FIBArk Whitewater Festival

By Sue Bjorkman Pretty much Anywhere USA can host a music fest. Even a beer fest can find home in plenty of locales. But for a funky fest like FIBArk, it takes a river. In this case, it’s the Arkansas River rushing through Salida in Chaffee County, Colorado....

Best Summer Brews to Choose

By Sue Bjorkman Chaffee County’s Breweries Create Seasonal Specialties Chaffee County’s microbreweries each offer something much more intrinsic and intangible than just great beer. All four radiate that laid-back, sun shining, day off; everyone’s your friend,...

5 Ways to Take Part in Salida Art

By Sue Bjorkman To say that Salida’s scenery is picturesque is an understatement. But even words like “beautiful!” and “spectacular!” often seem not quite enough to describe it. So let’s just say, being here will color your world. Salida is set within a natural...

Choose Your Own Summer Adventure

TBA With 12 mountains that tower more than 14,000ft in Chaffee County, it’s easy to reach alpine lakes for fabulous fishing, as well as meadows of wildflowers, evergreen forests and transparent streams. Relax. Listen to hummingbirds whiz by, view deer and elk in their...

Choose Your Own Autumn Adventure

Choose your own autumn adventure in Chaffee County! Autumn brings spectacular color to the Rocky Mountains. Aspen trees turn golden between mid-September and mid-October, depending on temperatures and elevation. Anytime is a good time to visit Chaffee County, but if...

Exciting Summer Office Jobs

Find a Dream Summer Job Promoting Outdoor Activities in the Heart of Colorado Take a break from the monotonous this summer and promote the many Colorado outdoor activities found in beautiful Chaffee County Colorado. Summer office jobs are plentiful in Chaffee County....

Become a Hiking and Backpacking Guide

Make the Colorado Rockies Your Summertime Work Playground If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding job this summer, consider becoming a hiking and backpacking guide in beautiful Chaffee County. Chaffee attracts hikers from all over to conquer one or more of...

Day Trip From Denver via Bailey

Explore the Beauty of Buena Vista via Bailey, Colorado If you're looking for an exciting and easily executed day trip from Denver, Colorado, consider visiting the quaint and historic mountain town of Buena Vista via Bailey, Colorado. Experience the beauty of the...

Spring Whitewater Conditions in Chaffee County

Warm Temperatures Bring Paddlers from All Over to Boat the Arkansas River It’s that time of year! Pack away the skis, reach for your boat of choice and head to the river. Whether you raft, kayak or stand-up-paddle, boaters from all over flock to the Arkansas...

Day Trip from Denver via Breckenridge

Come Explore the Heart of Colorado via Breckenridge Bored this weekend? Plan a day trip from Denver to the majestic mountain town of Buena Vista Colorado through Breckenridge. This wonderfully scenic mountain loop contains ski towns, Colorado wildlife and adventure....

Arkansas River Rafting Trips

Whitewater Rafting Trips for All Skill Levels on the Arkansas River If you’re planning any whitewater rafting trips in Colorado this season, think no further than the Arkansas River. Flowing down the center of Chaffee County through Buena Vista and Salida, the...

Snowmobiling in Chaffee County

Snowmobiling In Chaffee County Snowmobiling in Chaffee County is a Colorado winter gem. Hundreds of miles of groomed trails and deep powder riding are offered easy access from multiple trailheads and locations near Buena Vista and Salida. Recommended Snowmobiling...

Ghost Towns

Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado Chaffee County is surrounded by rich history and is home to many ghost towns from the old west. Explore these ghost towns year round either by snowmobile, cross country skiing and snowshoeing. St. Elmo, Colorado One of the best...

Colorado Bucket List

Rimmed by the mighty Sawatch, Mosquito and Sangre de Cristo mountains, Chaffee County is a breathtaking place to get outdoors. Like sentinels lining the horizon to the west, Sawatch peaks dominate the Upper Arkansas Valley. Running some 100 miles, from south of Salida to north of Leadville, 15 of Colorado’s 58 14,000-foot peaks rise in the Sawatch. The range features four of the state’s five tallest peaks including Mount Elbert, at 14,440 feet the state’s highest and second only to California’s14,505-foot Mount Whitney in the lower 48. The Collegiate Peaks – five mountains named after colleges – are included in the Sawatch.

Monarch Mountain

A Hidden Colorado Gem Established in 1939, Monarch Mountain offers a great mix of family-friendly beginner, intermediate and advanced terrain as well as incredible snowcat skiing. It’s truly one of Colorado’s hidden ski gems. Found in south-central Colorado at the...

Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway

Explore Chaffee County Autumn brings spectacular color to the Rocky Mountains. Aspen trees turn golden between mid-September and mid-October, depending on temperatures and elevation. But anytime is a great time to travel the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway. For 57...

Plan Your Colorado Vacation

CHAFFEE COUNTY, COLORADO Plan Your Colorado Vacation Everyone dreams of the perfect colorado vacation, but planning one can be stressful. With so many beautiful attractions to choose from in the state, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Here's a simple trick that might...

Visit Browns Canyon National Monument

For centuries, the rugged granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings and stunning mountain vistas of Browns Canyon National Monument have attracted visitors from around the world. The area’s unusual geology and roughly 3,000-foot range in elevation support a diversity...

Hutchinson Homestead

The Hutchinson Homestead which sits along the South Arkansas River was founded by Annabelle and Joseph Hutchinson in the late 1800’s and is an important part of Chaffee County’s history. The site, which is now called the Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center...

Enjoying the Arkansas River

Flowing through the center of Chaffee County, the Arkansas River is one of the four major drainages that flow out of Colorado. It’s also one of the most popular. The river, fed by snowmelt, runs a bit later than other rivers, but provides a longer season of...

Mountain Biking the Arkansas Hills

Mountain biking the Arkansas Hills Trail System, also known as Tenderfoot or S Mountain, is one of the most convenient and most beautiful activities in the town of Salida, Colorado. Lying only a couple hundred yards within downtown, bikers and hikers can be on the...

Rock Climbing in Chaffee County

Rock climbing opportunities in Chaffee County are mainly centered around the Buena Vista area – more specifically, the Four Mile Recreation Area. Climbs in this area are a mix of sport and traditional routes from 50 to 450 feet on granite slabs ranging from easy to...

Buena Vista Heritage

The Upper Arkansas River Valley has been shaped by Native Americans, trappers, miners, railroaders, and ranchers. Evidence of the past can be seen wherever one travels through the valley. Buena Vista Heritage is a local non-profit that owns and manages several...

The Salida Museum

The Salida Museum is located in Centennial Park adjacent to the Salida Chamber of Commerce and was started in the 1950’s. This interesting museum showcases the people, places, and industry that helped shape the Upper Arkansas Valley. The north side of the museum...

Zipline Tours & Aerial Adventure Park Salida, Colorado

{youtube}67DXhIdttdA{/youtube} Captain Zipline and Aerial Adventure Park is located a few miles east of Salida, Colorado in a spectacular box canyon adjacent to the wild Arkansas River. It was the first zipline outfit in Colorado and is now the largest aerial...

The Arkansas River

Buena Vista & Saldia, Colorado Flowing through the center of Chaffee County, the Arkansas River is one of the four major drainages that flow out of Colorado. It’s also one of the most popular. The river, fed by snowmelt, runs a bit later than other rivers, but...

Mountain Biking the Arkansas Hills Trails In Salida, Colorado

Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado Mountain Biking the Arkansas Hills Trails In Salida, Colorado The Arkansas Hills Trail System, also known as Tenderfoot or S Mountain, is a huge asset to the town of Salida, Colorado. Lying only a couple hundred yards within...

Cool Colorado Jobs

Cool Colorado jobs available this summer! With so much adventure to be had in the Heart of Colorado, there’s a dire need for adventure seeking guides for summer work in Buena Vista and Salida Colorado. These small quaint mountain towns bustle with energy and...

Colorado Artists

SALIDA ARTISTS TAKE ON MANY SHAPES IN THE HEART OF COLORADO tba Salida, Colorado’s beautiful scenery and climate makes for a natural feeding ground for artists of all mediums. The mild ‘banana belt’ climate found in Salida along with its convenient location in the...

Choose Your Own Spring Adventure

FOUR SEASONS, ONE DAY Choose your own spring adventure in Chaffee County! Our unique "Banana Belt" climate provides the perfect opportunity to plan a multi-sport day. Whether you want to play in the snow, the dirt, or the water, spring in Chaffee County has you...

Hidden Treasure In Chaffee County?

Ever heard of Forrest Fenn? Many have tried and failed to solve Fenn’s riddle and find his hidden treasure – some say it’s right here in Chaffee County. Several of the clues he has published seem to fit this notion. ARE YOU INTERESTED YET? Forrest Fenn is a world...

Scenic Drives in Chaffee County

Chaffee County is an extremely diverse area of Colorado holding a wealth of outdoor adventures, out of this world scenery, and friendly welcoming communities. Try these scenic drives to get a feel for what Chaffee County has to offer. Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway...

Fishing the Arkansas River

The Arkansas River that flows directly through Chaffee County Colorado offers some of the best trout fishing in all of Colorado. The season runs all year-long with multiple hatches. Mayflies, midges, stoneflies and caddis hatch regularly and in glorious abundance,...

Alpine Lake Fishing

Chaffee County’s high alpine lakes feature spin or fly fishing along with incredible mountain views. For the best alpine fishing, head to high mountain lakes and streams that are filled with brown, brook, rainbow and cutthroat. Those who want to get away from it all...

Rafting Browns Canyon National Monument

Floating alongside Browns Canyon National Monument on the Arkansas River provides a unique and thrilling way to experience the wonder and grandeur of this special place. Booking a trip with one of the many outfitters in the county is a great way for the whole family...

Wildlife Viewing In Browns Canyon National Monument

Browns Canyon National Monument Wildlife viewing in Browns Canyon National Monument features a huge variety of wildlife that can be spotted by those with patience and a bit of luck. The rugged, isolated nature of the terrain and proximity to year round water sources...

Sing Spring Like a Local

Springtime in Chaffee County Colorado is a time to literally have it all. With snow still in the Western Sawatch Mountains, participate in winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling while basking in the warming spring sun. Eastern Chaffee County...

Experience the Wealth of Heritage Found at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort

Experience the Wealth of Heritage Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is a staple in Chaffee County Colorado, providing public hot springs access, a variety of lodging accommodations plus conference and event facilities. Located at the base of Mount Princeton along the...

Chaffee County; One Winter, Four Seasons

Colorado winter is not the wasteland of snow and cold as one would think. Despite being at elevation, Colorado’s unique ‘banana belt’ regions see unusually warm temperatures throughout the winter, directly next to some of the most high producing snow zones in the...

Visit Browns Canyon National Monument

Plan your vacation to explore Colorado’s newest National Monument in Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado. With the official designation of Browns Canyon National Monument on February 19, 2015, Chaffee County has become a unique mark on the Colorado map. By...

Chaffee County Welcomes You

Welcome to Chaffee County Colorado, where we found the Colorado outdoor lifestyle ‘Jackpot’! We have all of Colorado's beauty in an affordable package. Chaffee County is centrally located in Colorado, making it an easily attainable Colorado destination. Here, the...

What to do in Browns Canyon National Monument

The 22,000 acre Browns Canyon National Monument is located between Salida and Buena Vista on the eastern side of the Arkansas River Valley. Characterized by steep granite gorges and rock outcroppings within a healthy piñon-juniper forest, this area provides...

Historic Chaffee County

Historic Chaffee County Chaffee has been shaped by all types of influences. The Ute Indians originally used the valley for hunting grounds and seasonal camps. They undoubtedly used the areas many hot springs for therapeutic relief and many of the high peaks are named...

Winter Fat Biking In Chaffee County

Winter fat biking is an up and coming winter sport in Chaffee County. Due to oversized wheels and super low tire pressure, these bikes excel in winter conditions where others struggle. The riding options vary from groomed mountain trails to sandy desert washes. Fat...

Mountain Weddings In Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado

Chaffee County Destination Weddings Mountain weddings are always great, but they’re really great in Buena Vista and Salida. Choose a destination wedding that is as beautiful and majestic as your love together, in beautiful Buena Vista or Salida, Colorado. Destination...

Snowshoeing & Cross Country Skiing In Colorado

Snowshoeing & cross country skiing are two low impact winter activities that can be enjoyed by most anyone. With over 80% of the land in Chaffee County designated as public, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy these two sports. Whether you have your own...

Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties in Chaffee

Chaffee County Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties Buena Vista and Salida are great places for bachelor & bachelorette parties. Be sure to consider some of these awesome ideas for your special trip. Buena Vista and Salida are centrally located in Colorado,...

Dog Sledding In Chaffee County

Ten years ago Caleb Hathaway got a job as a sled dog guide in Winter Park, Colorado where he instantly fell in love with the profession. Wanting to learn more about the sport, he moved to British Columbia then on to Alaska where he began to acquire his own team of...

Monarch Snowmobile Tours and Rentals

MONARCH MOUNTAIN Established in 1988, Monarch Snowmobile Tours & Rentals is one of the most affordable and customer friendly snowmobile guide service in the state of Colorado. The unique location just east of Monarch Pass allows guests to walk out the front door,...

Hot Springs Cool Adventures

COOL ADVENTURES Colorado's Best Hot Springs Relax in the many hot springs in Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado. Along these mountainous fault zones in the Arkansas River Valley, the water bubbles out of the ground, at 140-degrees. 100% Natural Geothermal &...

Follow Your Heart to the Heart of Colorado

A Two-Day Winter Trip to Central Colorado Rockies is a ‘Staycation’ Getaway We all need a pick-me-up sometimes, especially when the dull-drum of winter really sets in. Being just a few hours drive from bustling Denver, the quaint mountain towns of Buena Vista and...

Romantic Getaways in Buena Vista and Salida

Buena Vista & Salida are both great for romantic getaways. Surprise your loved one with a romantic evening of luxury at The Palace Hotel in historic downtown Salida. Be treated like royalty from the welcome right through to the accommodations. The Palace Hotel is...

A Chaffee County Winter Proposal

Impress Her with a Unique Winter Proposal Advice on Premiere Proposition Spots in Buena Vista and Salida Colorado Warm Gloves Once slopeside with ski bunny in tow at your favorite Colorado ski area, Monarch Mountain, suggest she try on your gloves for...

Choose Your Own Winter Adventure

Choose your own winter adventure in Chaffee County! Winter is the perfect time to bundle up and explore snow-capped mountains, frozen streams and all of the season's beauty. Fire up a snowmobile and chart your own path across fields of white. Or feel the snow crunch...

Apres Spots in Buena Vista

Apres spots in Buena Vista are easy to find. Wind down from your hard day skiing or snowboarding or whatever with a locally crafted beer at one of our breweries, or a fancy drink at one of our distilleries. If you’d like to take relaxing up a notch, check out one of...

Apres Spots in Salida

Apres spots in Salida are easy to find. Wind down from your hard day skiing or snowboarding or whatever with a locally crafted beer at one of our breweries, or a fancy drink at one of our distilleries. If you’d like to take relaxing up a notch, check out one of our...

Snowmobiling Buena Vista & Salida – 301

Explore the Rocky Mountains Of Colorado By Snowmobile Snowmobiles pump up the adrenaline and cover miles of roads and trails typically impassible in snow. Dive into some fresh powder on a big machine and savor the rush. With three main trailheads in...

Top Winter Selfie Spots In Chaffee County – 301

With crisp mountain air and sunny blue skies, winter is a perfect time for selfies! Chaffee County just happens to have some great locations for sharing your perfect adventure. Pick A Peak This location boasts unending 360 degree views from the crest...

Top 5 Winter Activities In Buena Vista & Salida, Colorado – 301

Five activities that will leave you breathless, inspired, and deeply content. Ski & Snowboard A Powder Magnet Monarch Mountain is tucked away in southern Chaffee County near Monarch Pass, and gets covered in tons of natural snow each winter....

5 Must-Haves for Cross-Country Skiing

If you want to explore Chaffee County on your cross country skis this winter, take note of these five must-have’s to ensure you have a remarkable winter experience. 1. The Right Skis General touring and metal-edge touring skis are available to cross country skiers....

Kids’ Vacation

Are You Planning Your Kids’ Vacation? Are you planning your kids’ vacation? We’ve got so many great options for you. For starters, riverside parks in Buena Vista and Salida are perfect places to skip rocks, race sticks down the river or cross over the Arkansas River...

Browns Canyon Hikes

ADVENTURE BY NATURE If you’re looking for adventure fit for the whole family, here are two Browns Canyon hikes that will certainly fit the bill. Browns Canyon in Chaffee County is a great place to go hiking with your friends and family, and two great places you can...

A Play Day in Buena Vista – 301

I love where I live because I can hang out in Buena Vista and South Main! BV is fun because of several things. First, there’s the bouldering wall in South Main. The bouldering wall looks easy from a distance, but it ends up being just right! The front side is...

Hiking to Browns Creek Falls

ADVENTURE BY NATURE I love where I live because of all of the hiking trails close by! A really fun hike is Browns Creek. From parts of the trail you can see the huge 14er mountains and Browns Canyon across the valley. About 3 miles up the trail is an amazing waterfall...

Biking Little Rainbow Trail

ADVENTURE BY NATURE BLOG I love living in Chaffee County because there are lots of bike trails really close to where I live! One trail that is really awesome is the Little Rainbow trail. It’s about 5 miles long with different ways down. I like the Little Rainbow bike...

The Best Colorado Summer Hiking – Chaffee County 14ers Await

Colorado has 58 peaks reaching over 14,000 feet in elevation, the most in the country. Chaffee County has a concentration of 12 of those peaks, making it the quintessential area to summit a Colorado fourteener. Rewards for summiting a fourteener, besides ticking it...

Hiking Through Time

CHAFFEE COUNTY'S GHOST TOWNS Now that summer has officially begun, and the beauty of the Chaffee County countryside is in full bloom, what better time to spend in the thick of it? And we’ve got the perfect opportunity – in fact, we’ve got almost 30! Did you know that...

Paddling Season is Coming!

CKS Paddlefest kicks off Summer Memorial Day Weekend and paddling season too! If you’re in Chaffee County late spring, you’ll find you can almost feel the electricity of change in the air. The rivers are beginning to swell over their banks, and they’re starting to...

Looking for The perfect girls-only getaway?

6 ways to be pampered while playing in Salida and Buena Vista It’s about time. Time for a break from taking care of everyone else… Time to bond with the girlfriends you never see enough… Time to breathe in fresh mountain air and sunshine as you explore the uncrowded...

Get Ready for Spring with Monarch Mountain’s Closing Party!

Parking Lot Cook-Off and Tailgate Party Monarch Mountain’s closing party weekend is coming up, and the time to make plans is now. The weekend is so full of Winter-to-Spring activities at Monarch, we’re not quite sure where to start! Just be sure to make plans to be...

Salida’s FIBArk Festival Returns This Summer

Salida's FIBArk river race and festival coming up June 11-15th – the 66th Annual repeat of this world-famous race – you’ll want to make plans to be in Salida or Buena Vista for the whole 4-day event. After all, there’s no better way to feel the rush of whitewater...

How to Enjoy Chaffee County: Top Five Best Bets

March madness? How to slam-dunk a guys’ weekend trip to Salida Although nearby Monarch Ski Resort gets hit regularly with serious powder, the Arkansas River Valley floor (and the outdoorsy towns of Salida and Buena Vista) are blessed with a temperate mini-climate...

Chaffee County A-Z

Chaffee County A to Z Arts. A myriad of choices—from art galleries to dance troupes, musicians and photographers—await visitors. Come stroll along the downtown streets of Buena Vista and Salida and experience the unique aesthetics. Beauty. The region boasts raw,...

Visitor Guidelines

1. Drink Plenty of Water Along with the dry climate, the altitude in Chaffee County ranges from 7,000 to more than 14,000 feet. At these elevations the sun is intense, so make sure to drink lots of water and apply sunscreen, especially on the little ones. 2. Drive On-...