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Arkansas River
The Arkansas River forms about 75 miles north of Salida near Tennessee Pass on the Continental Divide between Leadville and
Vail. The river then flows south towards Salida. On the way, it provides some of the best whitewater boating in the United
States. Pine Creek, The Numbers and Brown's Canyon are the most famous (or infamous) stretches of this part of the Arkansas,
known for fast water and thrilling rapids.
The river offers Class I (safe and easy) to Class V (extremely challenging) boating in and near town, both upstream and
down.
Arkansas River info link
Kayaking and Rafting info link
Google "rafting arkansas river" for a lot more sites.
At Salida, the river turns east and heads into a series of canyons, culminating in the Royal Gorge near Canon City about
60 miles east of Salida. After the Royal Gorge, the river exits the mountains west of Pueblo and eventually flows to the
Mississippi through the state of Arkansas.
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| River's edge below lower hole of whitewater park |
The Town of Salida has a whitewater park at downtown's Riverside Park. Boaters, tourists, locals and festivities all
gather here.
Riverside Park is the site of the annual FIBARK (First in Boating on The Arkansas) festival on the third weekend in June.
FIBARK draws kayakers, canoeists and rafters from all over the state, country and world to compete in rodeo and downriver
races.
| Kayakers doing tricks in the park's upper hole |
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| World-class kayakers rodeo here during FIBArk |
Fibark Festival info link
Riverside Park also hosts music, arts, brewing, sporting and other community festivals throughout the summer months.
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| 10th Annual Brewer's Rendevous, 7/1/06 |
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| Absolute Bikes has all you need, or get some coffee at "Bongo's" and enjoy a band |
Mountain Biking
Unnparalleled mountain biking opportunities exist in Salida. Ski in the morning. Bike in the afternoon. That's the climate
in Salida. Check the link below for more information.
Mountain Biking Info link
Skiing
Monarch is 18 miles to the west and is superb. It snows on Tuesday. You still ski fresh powder on Thursday. It's really,
really nice.
Lots of expert terrain, backcountry hike- and snowcat-accessed skiing, rare crowds and a full-day lift ticket less than
$50.00. What more could you ask for? (How about $20.00 to ski two hours after 2:00 p.m. or an early-bird season pass less
than $300.00?)
Link to Monarch Mountain website
Vail, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Ski Cooper, Keystone, Cuchara, Arapahoe Basin, Wolf Creek and Crested Butte are all within
a two-hour drive.
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| Joyful Journey Hot Springs, 1/2 hour south of Salida |
Hot Springs
At least five natural hot springs are within a half-hour's drive of Salida. The hot springs are wonderful. The naturally
occurring elements and chemicals in the water do something magical for the body. So many hot springs so close to Salida is
a blessing for residents.
Cottonwood Hot Springs near Buena Vista and Joyful Journey Hot Springs near Villa Grove are this author's favorite. Mt.
Princeton Hot Springs near Buena Vista has natural hot springs rising from the bed of a creek.
Salida also has a hot springs pool in town. The pool is geared more for swimming and workouts, although private baths are
available. The private baths are, in this authors view, a little "clinical." One can call for the temperature. If
the inflow is above 98 degrees, then a quick private bath is worth the trip if one does not have the time or inclination to
drive to one of the other hot springs.
The Salida Hot Springs Pool also offers aquacize, cardio jam workouts, swim classes, masters programs, kayak lessons,
parent / tot classes and other community resources not offered at most of the other hot springs.
Note that Cottonwood sometimes sells discount punch cards in low season (autumn), and Joyful Journey also sells punch
cards offering a discount and used to have a discount day (Wednesday) for Salida residents.
Joyful Journey also offers various massage and body treatments and has wonderful upscale (strange as it sounds) yurt accomodations
with breakfast packages.
Valley View Hot Springs, a/k/a Orient Land Trust is a sometimes "clothing-optional" hot springs.
One really neat thing about Valley View is the existence of a bat cave. On summer nights at sunset, a whole lot (100,000?)
of bats exit an abandoned mine on the property. It is a sight worth seeing.
For private and plush, go to Antero Hot Springs Cabins.
Check out the links below.
Salida Hot Springs Pool
Joyful Journey Hot Springs
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
Valley View Hot Springs
Antero Hot Springs Cabins
There are also some new bed and breakfasts with private hot springs, and there are numerous wild natural hot springs in
the area, but you'll have to hunt them out on your own! We can't give up all of our secrets, can we?
Restaurants
For an elegant breakfast and one of the best and most interesting menus in town for any meal, hit the West End Cafe on First
Street.
For a quick diner-style breakfast or lunch, go to the Patio Pancake on Highway 50.
Dakota's has an excellent lunch and dinner menu. Laughing Ladies is also great, and many a local's favorite.
Amica's has amazing wood-fired pizza and home-brewed beer. Benson's has a smoke-free bar atmosphere and excellent pub
fare.
Don't miss Mama Di's for a grinder or sub sandwich. If Annie and Danny ever franchised, they'd be multi-millionaires.
Finally, Bongo Billy's has great coffee and atmosphere with delicious baked goods. They serve drinks at night and often
have music. A wonderful place with wonderful people.
Public Lands
The San Isabel and Pike National Forests surround the Salida area and contain various mountain ranges. To the south and east
are the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. To the west and north are the Sawatch Range and the Collegiate Peaks.
Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, hunting and fishing opportunities exist.
Only 19% of Chaffee County is private land. The rest is public.
What land is not administered by the Department of Agriculture's National Forest Service is adminsitered by the Department
of Interior's Bureau of Land Management.
National Forest Info
BLM Info
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