Salida, CO, is a charming mountain town nestled along the Arkansas River. It is a popular tourist spot for many reasons, including its fantastic outdoor recreation options, beautiful riverside park, and historic downtown district.


Here is a handy tourism website:
https://www.colorado.com/chaffee-county-channel

***water will be LOW in September. Don't expect a wild time but still worth it for the views***

Arkansas River

White Water Rafting: World Class Whitewater Rafting

Jenny recommends driving 50 minutes to Canon City to raft the Royal Gorge.

Recommended Outfitter (Jenny's previous company): Echo Canyon River Expeditions

(Request one of her best friends: Josh, Jeffrey, CornDog or Craig)

Salida Rafting:

Browns Canyon or The Numbers are both great trips in Salida. The Numbers is more sporty but Browns Canyon is prettier.

Recommended Outfitter: River Runners

Fishing: The Arkansas River is a Gold Medal Designated Corridor, meaning that they have about 5,000 trout per mile. It's an ideal spot for fly fishing, with opportunities to catch both brown and rainbow trout.

Recommended Outfitter: ArkAnglers

Riverside Park: Lay out on the rocks and watch the river runners and kayakers go by!

Hot Springs: A drive from downtown but still a fun place to soak, especially at night!

Cottonwood Hotsprings

Mount Princeton Hotsprings

There are 15 mountains in the area with peaks reaching 14,000 feet. If you're looking for a challenge, Mount Yale is a popular choice, although the difficulty level is subjective, especially if you're not used to high altitudes. Be sure to start early and dress in layers for varying temperatures!

For easier hikes, consider Rainbow Trail which is in the Methodist Mountain network or "S" Mountain, which is within walking distance of downtown Salida.

If hiking isn't your jam, but you'd still like to enjoy stunning high-altitude vistas, Cottonwood Pass and Monarch Pass are both paved and offer great views in every direction.