2022-12-03 10:05:48
Make the easy trek to central Colorado for a getaway in the Arkansas River-side mountain towns of Salida and Buena Vista. Hot springs, dramatic peaks and unbeatable recreation await. Morning Travel along the Collegiate Peaks scenic byway, a 57-mile route along the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness and the Sawatch Range from Salida north to Buena Vista and beyond. This stretch contains the nation’s greatest concentration of peaks higher than 14,000 feet — “fourteeners,” in local parlance. Next, visit an aerial adventure park: With swinging bridges, tightrope walks, ziplines, via ferratas and other soaring-through-the-pines challenges, Captain Zipline, Browns Canyon Adventure Park and AVA Rafting & Zipline all deliver adventure with a side of stunning scenery and deep breaths of crisp mountain air. Buena Vista is a popular access point for rafting, kayaking, fishing, hiking and backpacking adventures along the Arkansas River, including Browns Canyon National Monument, 102 miles of Gold Medal fishing and the Buena Vista Whitewater Park. Rafting outfitters offer half- to multiday trips. Give it a go at one of the area’s signature sports: mountain biking. Rent or BYO-bike and hit the dirt on top-notch trails, like the Monarch Crest, Alpine Tunnel and Salida Mountain Trails or the downtown Buena Vista Pumptrack. Stop into the Buena Vista & Salida Chamber of Commerce to pick up a map of all the area’s recreational opportunities. Afternoon Rejuvenate at Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa or Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. Or head to the top of Monarch Pass: In summer, the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway will carry you 12,000 feet in elevation for views of the surrounding peaks and nearby Monarch Mountain ski area. Evening Take a distillery or winery tour — there are close to 100 breweries, distilleries, wineries, galleries and eateries. Stroll through downtown Salida, one of the state’s Certified Creative Districts, with dozens of artist-owned galleries and shops. Kids get a kick out of feeding the fish at the Mount Shavano Fish Hatchery. Delicious restaurants and shops pepper both historic downtowns, and Buena Vista has a vibrant music scene. If you’re still looking for fun, consider the vintage Comanche Drive In Theatre for a nightcap. Buena Vista and Salida are only a scenic, 30-minute drive apart, so plan to traipse back and forth. Winter Fun Monarch Mountain ski area is just a short drive from Salida, and the area’s deep snow is a playground for snowshoers and snowmobilers. The valley floor is often dry in the winter, perfect for rock climbing, a round of golf, hiking and biking year-round. These towns are serious about mountain biking, and winter doesn’t stop them: All you need is fatter tires. Several shops rent out fat bikes.
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