Salida–Buena Vista
Around Salida–Buena Vista
Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Countryside and towns · Colorado · 20k people
Salida–Buena Vista
“Heart of the Rockies”, “Best View”
River town heart, mountain soul
Arkansas River bluePonderosa pine greenAspen gold
Welcome to the heart of the Arkansas Valley, where the river runs through town and the Collegiate Peaks watch over you. Whether you're here for the hot springs, the trails, or the friendly faces, you'll find a community that loves the outdoors and each other.
Clubs for Salida–Buena Vista
No clubs for Salida–Buena Vista yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Salida–Buena Vista. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Salida–Buena Vista. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- St. Elmo Ghost Town Well-preserved mining town with a general store.
- Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Stretches of the Arkansas River for rafting and fishing.
- Monarch Mountain Local ski hill with big views of the Collegiate Peaks.
- Mount Princeton Hot Springs Soaking pools with views of Mount Princeton.
- Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center Historic indoor mineral pool in downtown Salida.
- Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway Drive along the highest peaks in the Rockies.
- Outdoors Raft the Arkansas River
- Outdoors Hike a fourteener
- With kids Soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs
- With kids Tube the Buena Vista River Park
- Evenings Craft brewery taprooms
- Evenings Live music at Riverside Park
- Locals love Hot springs
- Locals love Rafting outfitters
Through the year
- FIBArk Whitewater Festival June Whitewater races, music, and river fun in Salida.
- Gold Rush Days August Old West celebration with parades and gold panning in Buena Vista.
- Chaffee County Fair July Livestock shows, carnival, and local food.
- Salida Art Walk First Friday Monthly gallery openings and street art.
- Collegiate Peaks Trail Run June Mountain trail race with stunning views.
High desert with over 300 days of sunshine. Winters are cold with snow in the mountains, summers are warm with afternoon thunderstorms. Best: Spring and fall for mild temps and clear skies.
Talk like a local
- “Ark Valley”
- The Arkansas River Valley.
- “BV”
- Buena Vista.
- “Fourteener”
- A 14,000-foot peak.
- “Browns Canyon”
- A famous rafting section of the Arkansas.
Getaways
- Cañon City Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
- Gunnison Valley Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Breckenridge Ski resort and historic Main Street
- San Luis Valley Great Sand Dunes National Park
Local flavour
Rooting for Denver Broncos (NFL), Colorado Rockies (MLB), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado State Rams (NCAA), Colorado Buffaloes (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Arkansas River trout Fresh trout from the river, often grilled or pan-fried.
- Colorado green chili A hearty chili with pork and green chiles, a regional staple.
- Craft beer Local breweries in Salida and Buena Vista offer a variety of mountain-inspired brews.
- Elk burger Wild game burgers, often served in local eateries.
Where people go
- Hot springs Natural thermal pools like those in Salida and nearby areas.
- River rafting runs The Arkansas River offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the state.
- Mountain trails Hiking and biking trails through the Collegiate Peaks and the Sangre de Cristo range.
- Historic mining towns Remnants of Colorado's mining era, such as St. Elmo and other ghost towns.
- Mountain passes Scenic drives like Monarch Pass and Cottonwood Pass.
Make this page better
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Nearby
Every areaCañon CityColoradoWhere the river carves the canyonGunnison ValleyColoradoThe heart of the high countryBreckenridgeColoradoWhere the peaks touch the sky and the town feels like home.San Luis ValleyColoradoHigh desert skies, potato fields, and the Sangre de Cristo range.Colorado SpringsColoradoWhere the mountains meet the plains and adventure is a way of life.AlamosaColoradoHigh desert heart, wide open skies.PuebloColoradoWhere the river meets the chile fields.EdwardsColoradoWhere the peaks meet your soul.
Chaffee County, CO. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.