COME TO LIFE | Salida, Buena Vista COLORADO PIKES PEAK WONDERS COLLEGIATE PEAKS SCENIC BYWAY PLAY IN THE COLLEGIATE PEAKS 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. The two towns are only a scenic, 30minute drive apart, so plan to traipse back and forth during your stay. scenic byway , a 57mile 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 ferrata and other challenges, Captain Zipline , Browns Canyon Adventure Park and Arkansas Valley Adventures (AVA) all deliver adventure with a side of stunning scenery. RENT A TUBE AND PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE (OR BRING YOUR OWN) AND HIT SALIDA’S WHITEWATER PARK — A HOT SPOT FOR WATER BABIES RIGHT IN TOWN NEAR THE F STREET BRIDGE. Morning Travel along the Collegiate Peaks ON AN OVERNIGHT BROWNS CANYON RAFTING TRIP, YOU’LL SLEEP AND ENJOY MEALS BY THE RIVER, AND GET SOME WILDERNESS DOWNTIME IN BETWEEN RAPID RUNS. Give it a go at one of the area’s signature sports: mountain biking. Rent or BYObike and hit the dirt on topnotch trails, 122 1-800-COLORADO THIS PAGE: MILES/DENISE CHAMBERS. OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP: MONARCH MOUNTAIN; MILES/LISA SEAMAN. Buena Vista is a popular access point for rafting, kayaking, fishing, hiking and backpacking adventures centered around the Arkansas River, including Browns Canyon National Monument , 102 miles of Gold Medal fishing waters and the Buena Vista Whitewater Park . Dozens of rafting outfitters offer halfday to multiday whitewater thrills.
Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2022: Page 122
