Salida - South Central Colorado

Includes Howard, Monarch, Poncha Springs

 

Fishing, Arkansas River, Salida, Colorado
Fishing the Arkansas River near Salida, Colorado
ATVing, Salida, Colorado
Salida, Colorado has some Great ATV trails
 

Salida grew quickly in the 1880s when the railroad made it a hub. This rip-roaring town had a famous madam, Laura Evans, who ran a bordello in from 1896 to 1950! Today, it's still a roaring town, roaring with rapids, that is. Salida boasts the headquarters for the Arkansas River Headwater that flows north and east of town. The town has one of the largest, indoor, hot springs pools' in the nation.

The Arkansas River is a launching point for some of the best whitewater rafting and is the most boated in the country with rapids ranging from easy to challenging. Accessible from this area is the Colorado Trail for mountain bikers and hikers to enjoy. In the winter try skiing at the much-praised, less-visited Monarch Ski Resort whose basin traps 300 inches annually of fluffy powder.

Salida Whitewater Park is right on the Arkansas River is one of the most popular in Colorado. This course is great for beginners to start running whitewater especially at the lower hole; it's slower and gentler. More advanced kayakers will like the upper hole better as it's faster and gets rowdier at higher flows.

Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, Salida, Colorado
Colorado's Largest Indoor Hot Springs Pool at City of Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center
Monarch Pass near Salida, Colorado
Monarch Pass is along Highway 50 west of Salida -- Stop to See the Continental Divide!
 

Located at the junction of US 285 and 50, PONCHA SPRINGS (AKA the Crossroads of the Rockies) is an excellent jumping-off point for a Colorado adventure. The town was named after a local natural hot spring by frontiersman Kit Carson. Today water from the springs is piped into Salida's Hot Springs Pool. Mountain bikers can hop a shuttle from the local gas station to the famed Rainbow Trail. There are several short loop and riverside trails that link to other trails running into Salida. Poncha Springs is also home to an 18-hole golf course and a popular Disc golf area.

The Collegiate Peaks Byway, was designated in November of 2005 and stretches 57 miles north to south connecting Granite, Buena Vista, Salida and Poncha Springs. This byway also connects to the nearby Top of the Rockies and West Elk byways. The impressive Collegiate Range, lies to the west with the most concentrated number of peaks above 14,000' in Colorado, and abounds with hiking trails, ATVing trails, Jeeping along old rail beds, mountain bike trails and is riddled with ghost towns. The snowmobile areas around Salida offer groomed trail riding with large meadows, snow play areas, and steep hill climbing. Snowmobile trails are in the Rio Grande and Gunnison National Forests.

In the heart of Pleasant Valley, 13 miles east of Salida, is HOWARD quiet and peaceful, and popular among recreational vehicle travelers. With the famed rushing waters of the Arkansas running right through Howard, this area is a popular whitewater rafting site and trout fishing area. To the west, the San Isabel National Forest provides many opportunities for adventure, from hiking to crystal-clear mountain lakes, looking for black bear, elk, wild turkey and mountain lions to ATVing to an old gold camp.

Salida is near: Buena Vista Area, Northern San Luis Valley & Royal Gorge Area

Salida Activities & Maps

National Parks and Monuments:
Browns Canyon National Monument

Scenic Byways:
Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway

Hiking Trails:
Rainbow Trail Hiking
The Colorado Trail

Fishing:
Arkansas River Headwaters Fishing Map - East
Arkansas River Headwaters Fishing Map - North

Rafting & Kayaking:
Arkansas River Rafting & Kayaking

Jeep & 4WD:
Salida & Monarch Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails

Hot Springs:
Salida Hot Springs

Ski Areas & Resorts:
Monarch Mountain Ski & Snowboard Area

Snowmobiling:
Buena Vista Area Snowmobile Trails
Salida & Monarch Snowmobile Trails

 
 
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