• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Towns
  • Lodging
  • Dining
  • Transport
  • Made in CO
  • Search
Buena Vista Colorado
Downtown Buena Vista, CO.

Buena Vista, Colorado

FacebookTwitter

Buena Vista is a fun mountain town, centrally located in the Rocky Mountains. It’s close enough to the Front Range for an easy weekend trip, and a convenient base for nearby activities.

Whitewater rafting and hot springs are two of the biggest. Since the 19th century, those who wanted to improve their health through the healing power of hot springs have headed to this Colorado town. Local hot springs were used as a regular location for family getaways as early as the 1880’s.

Highlighting the magnificent landscape are the 14,000-foot Collegiate Peaks right outside town. It’s also just a short jaunt up Cottonwood Pass to be standing atop the Continental Divide. The mountains are big and beautiful here at 7,965 feet in Chaffee Co., or as BV’s motto says: “8,000 Feet Above Average.”

Main Attractions

Mount Yale Buena Vista CO from Cottonwood Pass
Mount Yale near Cottonwood Pass in Buena Vista. Photo: David Herrera

Cottonwood Hot Springs – Buena Vista’s very own hot springs resort features several different soaking pools nestled at the base of Cottonwood Pass. There is also lodging on site, from motel rooms to cabin rentals and even a site to pitch your tent. The other public hot springs resort is Mount Princeton, located just south in Nathrop.

Cottonwood Pass – This seasonal route leads from Buena Vista to Almont on the west side of the continental divide. From Almont you can be in either Gunnison to the south, or Crested Butte to the north twenty minutes. The paved road should be fine for all vehicles, weather pending. Take County Road 306 west out of downtown BV to reach.

Whitewater Rafting – Browns Canyon is a notorious section of whitewater to raft the Arkansas River. It’s also on the most popular and easily accessed from Denver. June through August is prime season.

Recreation

Arkansas River Buena Vista Winter
Winter on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista. Photo: Jack Gray

Camping:

  • San Isabel National Forest is located around Buena Vista. Free car camping exists 15 miles north of town on Highway 24. Take a left at Clear Creek Reservoir on County Road 390. There is a national forest campground just after the Clear Creek Reservoir. Dispersed camping exists up the county road. Watch for pull-over spots for your car and you can set up anywhere. There is some private property during the first few miles of road. 12 miles down County Road 390 is the ghost town of Winfield. The county road is suitable for most cars, but it is bumpy from heavy truck traffic.
  • Read about the camping near Buena Vista and Nathrop.

Fishing:

  • Great trout fishing can be found in the Arkansas River which runs past town.​
  • Crystal Reservoir is a fifteen minute drive north of town on Highway 24.

Accommodations



Booking.com

Hotels and lodging:

  • Read about the best hotels in Buena Vista.

Dining

There are a good variety of restaurants in town too. Eddyline Brewery offers wood-fired cuisine and local craft beer, a short drive from downtown. K’s Dairy Delite is a locals’ favorite for Shakes and burgers, this local favorite, situated on Highway 24 in town. Pizza Works is another great pizza parlor.

Special Events

Jun – Buena Vista Bike Fest – One grueling Saturday in early June head out to BV for some mountain biking. No matter what your skill level, you’ll find a route for you, with a number of difficulties and elevation gains to choose from. It ends with a party in the park with live music, beer and food. It’s held in early June.

Jul – Battlemoor – Medieval festival held since 2009 in Colorado, centered around reenactments of historic battles and way of life, held in mid July in Cottonwood Meadows Farm.

Main Street is lined with shops.
Further down the main drag.
Car show lines the main street.
Chromed trailer.
Lariat Bar & Grill.
Mothers Bistro.
State Highway Roadhouse & Theater.
K's Dairy Delite on US 24.
Eddyline Restaurant & Brewery.
Another Eddyline Brewery in town.
Businesses on Highway 24.
Branding Iron Bar & Grill.
Pizza Works.
Deer strolls across the road.
Comanche Drive-in Theater.
Overlooking Buena Vista and the Collegiate Peaks.
Buena Vista River Park is open to the public.
Skate park.
Historic downtown.
Former schoolhouse.

Activities near Buena Vista

ATV/Jeep Rentals:

  • BV Jeeps

Drive-In Theaters:

  • Comanche Drive-In Theatre

Federal Lands:

  • Antero Reservoir (27mi)
  • Arkansas River
  • Browns Canyon National Monument
  • Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area
  • Clear Creek Reservoir (14mi)
  • Collegiate Peaks Wilderness
  • Pike National Forest
  • Ptarmigan Lake (17mi)
  • San Isabel National Forest

Ghost Towns:

  • Hancock (25mi)
  • Saint Elmo (20mi)
  • Twin Lakes (25mi)
  • Vicksburg (23mi)
  • Winfield (26mi)

Hot Springs:

  • Alpine Hot Springs Hideaway (private) (9mi)
  • Antero Hot Springs Cabins (private) (9mi)
  • Creekside Hot Springs Cabin (private) (11mi)
  • Cottonwood Hot Springs (5mi)
  • Mount Princeton Hot Springs (12mi)
  • Treehouse Hot Springs (private) (9mi)

Kayaking:

  • Buena Vista Whitewater Park

Landmarks:

  • Midland Railroad Tunnels

Museums:

  • Buena Vista Heritage Museum

Scenic Drives:

  • Cottonwood Pass
  • Independence Pass (52mi)

Ski Areas:

  • Breckenridge Ski Resort (60mi)
  • Monarch Mountain Ski Resort (39mi)
  • Ski Cooper (44mi)

State Parks:

  • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Towns:

  • Breckenridge (60mi)
  • Fairplay (37mi)
  • Granite (16mi)
  • Johnson Village (3mi)
  • Leadville (34mi)
  • Nathrop (8mi)
  • Poncha Springs (24mi)
  • Salida (24mi)
  • Twin Lakes (25mi)

Waterfalls:

  • Agnes Vaille Falls (16mi)

Whitewater Rafting:

  • Arkansas River Rafting

Latest in Buena Vista

Hot Springs near Buena Vista Mount Princeton Pool

Buena Vista’s Healing Hot Springs

This stunning section of central Colorado boasts a handful of hot spring resorts to go along…

Buena Vista’s Healing Hot SpringsRead More

Colorado Hot Springs Loop The Springs Resort Pagosa Springs

The Ultimate Colorado Hot Springs Loop Road Trip

Sourced from deep under the Rocky Mountains, there are dozens of hot springs that exist around…

The Ultimate Colorado Hot Springs Loop Road TripRead More

image of monarch mountain

4 Ski Resorts Closest to Buena Vista

Colorado ski resorts consistently rank as some of the best in the country and it’s easy…

4 Ski Resorts Closest to Buena VistaRead More

Pikes Peak Sunset Colorado Front Range

Colorado’s Front Range––Much More Than Big Cities

Spend any amount of time in Colorado, and you’re likely to come across the term “Front…

Colorado’s Front Range––Much More Than Big CitiesRead More

Via Ferrata Telluride Climbers Waterfall in Background

Valiant Via Ferrata Courses in Colorado

What’s the latest craze in Colorado outdoor adventures? Most likely by now, you’ve heard the name,…

Valiant Via Ferrata Courses in ColoradoRead More

Arkansas River Whitewater Rafting through the Royal Gorge by Train

8 Best Rivers to Raft in Colorado

The Rocky Mountains are well known for the epic whitewater rivers they produce, and Colorado boasts…

8 Best Rivers to Raft in ColoradoRead More

Camping BLM Buena Vista CO Collegiate Peaks

Camping near Buena Vista and Nathrop, around the Arkansas River

Situated at the base of the 14,000+ foot Collegiate Peaks alongside the Arkansas River, Buena Vista…

Camping near Buena Vista and Nathrop, around the Arkansas RiverRead More

image of fireworks over a lake

4th of July Firework Shows in Colorado

Celebrate the 244th anniversary of our nation’s birthday with these 4th-of-July firework displays in Colorado by…

4th of July Firework Shows in ColoradoRead More

image of Best Western Movie Manor

The 8 Remaining Drive-Ins of Colorado

While going to the movies may soon become obsolete with the rise of on-demand movies, there…

The 8 Remaining Drive-Ins of ColoradoRead More

Englewood Federal Correctional Institution Colorado

Prominent Prisons in Colorado and the Inmates That Occupy Them

Colorado is undoubtedly a peaceful place, but it’s also been the center of an immense amount…

Prominent Prisons in Colorado and the Inmates That Occupy ThemRead More

Hot Springs Near Me Colorado Pagosa Resort

Which hot springs are near what Colorado towns?

Whether you’re shredding the local ski slopes, hiking the region’s highest peaks, or even just strolling…

Which hot springs are near what Colorado towns?Read More

Best Hotels in Buena Vista Surf Chateau Arkansas River

Top 11 Cool & Unusual Hotels in Buena Vista

Beautifully located at the base of Colorado’s Collegiate Peak mountains, Buena Vista is truly a “good…

Top 11 Cool & Unusual Hotels in Buena VistaRead More

Waunita Hot Springs Ranch

Spend a Day or Night at these 15 Hot Springs

After a long, rewarding hot springs soak, the last thing you want to do is drive…

Spend a Day or Night at these 15 Hot SpringsRead More

Vicksburg CO Ghost Town

4 Ghost Towns of Clear Creek Canyon

Clear Creek Canyon is full of ruins from Colorado’s early mining days. There are four remaining…

4 Ghost Towns of Clear Creek CanyonRead More

Arkansas River Rafting Browns Canyon

Arkansas River Rafting in Browns Canyon

If you’re looking for summer adventure, head to the Arkansas River. It’s one of the most…

Arkansas River Rafting in Browns CanyonRead More

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. —and never miss out again.

Chaffee County

  • All Towns
  • Chaffee County
  • Buena Vista
  • Granite
  • Johnson Village
  • Monarch
  • Nathrop
  • Poncha Springs
  • Salida

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Resources
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Visit Mile High Happy Hour for Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Camping
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Federal Lands
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks

Vacation like a VIP! Leisurely Lifestyle shares life and travel hacks, as well as cheap luxury travel.

Copyright © 2021 · Uncover Colorado - Vacations, Travel & Tourism | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer