Salida, Colorado

Top Spots in and near Salida

  • Salida, Colorado

    Tube the Arkansas River in Salida

    0.6 mi / 3 ft gain
    There are so many options for floating down the Arkansas River in Salida, CO, but a simple, fun, and easily accessible option is tubing.  The easiest and most central way to tube the river is to begin your float at the first whitewater feature at the beginning of the walking path (right behind H...
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  • Salida, Colorado

    Hike Mount Shavano and Tabeguache Peak

    4.0
    9.25 mi / 4600 ft gain
    Start out on the Shavano and Tabeguache Trailhead off of FR 252 outside of Poncha Springs, at about 9,700 feet, and begin your trek into the forest. In the first half of a mile there are a few trail marker signs that should be read carefully to insure the right path is followed, but these signs ...
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  • Chaffee County, Colorado

    Camp in Browns Canyon Wilderness Study Area

    4.0
    Head toward Nathrop, CO on U.S. High 295. Turn east between mile markers 144 and 145 onto Chaffee County Road 301. Take the road until the pavement runs out and turn right onto Chaffee County Road 300. Drive a couple miles on the road and through the Ruby Mountain campgrounds (paid lots only) unt...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Mt. Princeton

    4.5
    13.02 mi / 5151 ft gain
    Starting at 8900 feet of elevation, this 13.25 mile roundtrip hike begins its 5400 foot elevation gain on a dirt road that winds for 3 miles until you break the treeline. If you have 4WD and good clearance you can drive most of the way up this road, shortening your entire hike by about 6 miles. J...
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  • Salida, Colorado

    Waterdog Lakes Trail

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 1056 ft gain
    Waterdog Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Salida, Colorado.
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  • Salida, Colorado

    Ride the Monarch Crest Trail

    5.0
    The Monarch Crest Trail has been rated as an IMBA Epic ride and is for sure an epic ride especially ending the ride with the Rainbow Trail. The Monarch Crest Trail is best ridden as a shuttle and begins at the very top of Monarch Pass just outside of Salida or Poncha Springs, Colorado on highway ...
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  • Hartsel, Colorado

    Camp at East Castle Rock Gulch

    This is an awesome camp spot for individuals who do not have a 4x4 or AWD and want a secluded getaway! It does require to drive about 3 miles along a dirt road before arriving at the dead end of 188A, but can be easily cleared. From what I could see on the drive in there were only 4 camp spots de...
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  • Nathrop, Colorado

    Explore the St. Elmo Ghost Town

    3.8
    If you're willing to go off the beaten path to a neat little ghost town, St. Elmo, Colorado is the place for you! About 2 and a half hours west of Colorado Springs, Colorado lies the town of St. Elmo, high up in the White River National Forest.The town itself was founded in 1880 when they discov...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Photograph Cottonwood Lake, CO

    0.1 mi / 1 ft gain
    Wherever you are in Colorado, turn your route towards Buena Vista in South West Colorado - you will not be disappointed. To start, Buena Vista is a really cool town with great places to eat and visit. So make sure you check out the city before heading up Cottonwood Pass. When you are ready to hea...
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  • Chaffee County, Colorado

    Off-Trail Hike of Limestone Ridge

    4.0
    9 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Finding a winter or early spring adventure that won't take you deep into dangerous mountain territory, while still providing epic vistas, is a challenge in Colorado. There are a few 10,000' tall ranges that sometimes escape deep snow, which are inviting for a first step into the alpine wonderland...
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  • Moffat, Colorado

    Unwind at the Joyful Journey Hot Springs

    5.0
    Joyful Journey hot springs offers the full hotel and spa treatment, but in a valley where most people live off the grid, we chose the more rugged experience.The yurts gather together like penguins huddling not far from the springs. The wooden slates offer welcome relief from the frigid valley wea...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Summit Mt. Yale

    5.0
    8.48 mi / 4232 ft gain
    This amazing adventure starts at 9,900 feet and goes up 4,300 feet over the course of an 8.5-mile round trip. You will want to start at the Denny Creek Trailhead. If you are coming from Buena Vista or staying at the Collegiate Peaks Campground you will pass Denny Gulch and then Denny Creek. The ...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hike Davis Meadow

    5.0
    8.6 mi / 800 ft gain
    This is a great hike that is very close to Buena Vista, CO. This trail is on the east side of town and is accessible in the spring. The hardest part of the hike is locating the trail-head. It is located in the northern part of Four Mile Canyon and is in San Isabel National forest. Starting in Bue...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Hike Mt. Harvard

    14 mi / 4600 ft gain
    Start your hike at the North Cottonwood Creek Trailhead. The trail begins at the end of the parking lot. You'll cross a bridge and meander along the creek, eventually reaching another bridge crossing at about 1.5 miles.After this bridge, you'll reach a trail junction. Be sure to go right (towards...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Ptarmigan Lake near Buena Vista

    5.0
    6.01 mi / 1608 ft gain
    When you begin the trail, make sure to choose the correct trailhead from the parking lot (located on the south side of the lot to the left, NOT behind the bathroom). From there, begin a moderate climb through a shaded fir forest to the tree line. Emerge in a meadow at a pond and the lower lake, ...
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  • Buena Vista, Colorado

    Backpacking to Kroenke Lake

    9 mi / 2750 ft gain
    Starting at the North Cottonwood trailhead just outside of Buena Vista, Colorado. This hike will take you 4.5 miles to the lake with about 2750 feet of elevation gain. The hike is mostly mellow and you'll likely see hikers heading up to Horn Fork basin to hike Mt. Harvard and Columbia. Campsites ...
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Camping and Lodging in Salida

Salida / Mt. Shavano KOA Journey
Salida, Colorado

Salida / Mt. Shavano KOA Journey

Ohaver Lake
Salida, Colorado

Ohaver Lake

Bassam Guard Station
Hartsel, Colorado

Bassam Guard Station

Mount Princeton
Nathrop, Colorado

Mount Princeton

Monarch Park
Salida, Colorado

Monarch Park

Chalk Lake
Nathrop, Colorado

Chalk Lake

Guides, Insights and Stories from Salida

How To Explore Southern Colorado To Its Fullest

How To Explore Southern Colorado To Its Fullest

Chris Martin

The 8 Best Winter Overnight Adventures In Colorado

The 8 Best Winter Overnight Adventures In Colorado

Jason Hatfield

The Top 10 Places For Fall Leaves In Colorado

The Top 10 Places For Fall Leaves In Colorado

Eric Schuette

25 Beautiful Alpine Lakes in Colorado

25 Beautiful Alpine Lakes in Colorado

The Outbound Collective

Colorado: A Living Landscape 4K

Colorado: A Living Landscape 4K

Jason Hatfield