Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Located at the 'exit' of the Arkansas River Valley, Salida occupies a prime location at the
crossroads of Hwys 285 and 50. Indeed, this used to be a major railroad hub, and you'll
likely spot an abandoned line or two while exploring the area. Gunnison, Colorado
Springs, the Great Sand Dunes and even Vail are all within one to two hours' drive,
provided you have your own car.
It's also a good stopover for those traveling between Denver and Santa Fe.
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Buena Vista
POP 2638 / ELEV 7954FT
With Mt Princeton (14,197ft) and the rest of the Collegiate Peaks providing a dramatic
backdrop to the west, and the icy Arkansas River rushing by the boulder-filled hills east of
town, Buena Vista certainly lives up to its name. Whether you're after hiking, biking, pad-
dling, hot-spring soaking or simply stupendous landscapes, this is a town that has adven-
ture playground written all over it.
Historic E Main St, the town's main drag, runs perpendicularly (away from the moun-
tains) off Hwy 24. Follow Main St to the end and you'll come to the Arkansas River.
Heading west (towards the mountains) off Hwy 24 is W Main St, which turns into Rte 306
and heads up to Cottonwood Pass.
Activities
Among the many diversions available to the thrill-seeking wanderer in Buena Vista, the
top attraction has always been and will always be the Arkansas River (
Click here
)
: 99
miles of white water accessible from Main St. If you have your own boat and know what
you're doing, check out the Buena Vista Whitewater Park at the end of E Main St.
Hiking & Mountain Biking
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
Who said the Ivies had to be stuck-up and boring? Encompassing 166,938 acres laced
with 105 miles of trails, the Collegiate Peaks has the highest average elevation of any wil-
derness area in the US: eight peaks exceed 14,000ft, including the state's third and fifth
HIKING
