Salida is known for its splendid art, excellent cooking and endless adventure. There is a ton to see and do around this town, located about three hours southwest of Denver.
Along with delicious restaurants, Salida is known for world class recreation. A top notch ziplining course calls Salida home, as do a lot of biking and nature trails that are recognized for their outstanding beauty.
The charm of Salida is that of a very quiet, peaceful mountain town where people can go to unwind. Low stress activities, such as golf and hot springs, make it pretty easy to relax. If you are looking for an affordable place to go that offers all the luxuries of a decadent resort, try Salida.
Main Attractions

Arkansas River – This river runs directly through down town, coming from the north by Leadville, and then heading east at Salida to Pueblo. There is outstanding fishing, as well as whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River. Numerous rafting outfits can be found close to town, featuring beginner trips for the whole family, as well as more advanced rapids. Browns Canyon National Monument lies just north of Salida, and is one of the popular sections for rafting in the state.
Hot Springs – Located right in town, the Salida Hot Springs & Aquatic Center has the biggest indoor hot springs pool in the country. It’s a big hot springs fed swimming pool, however, you can also rent private tub filled with hotter mineral springs water, minus any chlorine.
There are several other great hot springs within a reasonable drive. South of town via Poncha Pass in the San Luis Valley are Joyful Journey and Valley View hot springs. To the north of Salida on Highway 285 is Mount Princeton and Cottonwood hot springs. All four resorts provide on-site lodging and are worth exploring.
Recreation

Camping:
- Arkansas Headwaters State Park has a number of sections with camping on the way to Cañon City. Take Highway 50 East. The first campground is about ten minutes outside town.
- San Isabel National Forest is all around town. Free dispersed car camping exists on parts of the Monarch Pass. Take Highway 50 west of town towards Poncha Springs and Gunnison. On the way up the pass, take a right for the Old Monarch Pass. It’s a scenic and enjoyable drive with dispersed campsites all along it. It exists on the east side of the divide and connects back up with Highway 50.
- Read about the camping near Salida, around the Arkansas River.
Fishing:
- Arkansas River runs through downtown. The river begins in Leadville, then runs south past Buena Vista and Salida, then it goes east to Canon City. Fishing is open along much of the river.
Accommodations
Hotels and lodging:
- Monarch Mountain Lodge – Stay close the slopes of Monarch Ski Resort at this alpine hotel. It’s easy to reach just 20 minutes west of town on Highway 160.
- Read about the best hotels in Salida.
Dining
Recently named as one of the best places to retire, Salida’s gentle pace will prove to be a welcome change. Downtown is lined with several blocks of nice shops and restaurants, along plenty of history.
Amica’s Brewery is the place to drink craft beer and eat pizza in town. For Mexican head to the Boathouse Cantina, which has a deck overlooking the Arkansas River.
Special Events
Jun – FIBArk – America’s oldest and wildest whitewater festival. Competitions include stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking. It’s held every year in mid June, the perfect welcoming of summer.
Jul – Colorado Brewers Rendezvous – Enjoy a summer Saturday in whitewater capital Salida, with beers from all over the state.
Activities near Salida
Amusement:
- Captain Zipline
- Royal Gorge Bridge (54mi)
- Royal Gorge Zip Line (50mi)
Federal Lands:
- Arkansas River
- Browns Canyon National Monument
- San Isabel National Forest
- Sangre de Cristo Wilderness
Hot Springs:
- Cottonwood Hot Springs (29mi)
- Joyful Journey Hot Springs (32mi)
- Mount Princeton Hot Springs (20mi)
- Salida Hot Springs & Aquatic Center
- Valley View Hot Springs (38mi)
Jeep Rentals:
Kayaking/SUP:
Landmarks:
- Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway (22mi)
Made in Colorado:
Museums:
Scenic Drives:
Ski Areas:
- Monarch Mountain Resort (21mi)
State Parks:
Towns:
- Buena Vista (24mi)
- Cañon City (58mi)
- Gunnison (64mi)
- Leadville (58mi)
- Monarch (17mi)
- Poncha Springs (3mi)
Whitewater Rafting:
Latest in Salida

The 2+ Closest Ski Resorts to Salida
There’s no question Colorado is one of the top destinations in the country for skiing. With…

Take a Trip to the Sublime Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Spanning from Poncha Pass near Salida in central Colorado to the peaks southeast of Santa Fe,…
Take a Trip to the Sublime Sangre de Cristo MountainsRead More

The Largest Colorado Mountain Towns
Whether you’re looking to move into the Rocky Mountains or just visit on holiday, and prefer…

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…

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

8 Best Rivers to Raft in Colorado
The Rocky Mountains are well known for the epic whitewater rivers they produce, and Colorado boasts…

Camping near Salida, Poncha Springs and Monarch, around the Arkansas River
Salida is one of the most popular mountain towns in Colorado, thanks to its scenic location…
Camping near Salida, Poncha Springs and Monarch, around the Arkansas RiverRead More

Colorado Spots Where Movies Were Filmed
Why do movie directors continue to return to Colorado to film? Quite simply the incredible scenery…

Top 11 Cool & Unusual Hotels in Salida
Nestled on the bank of the Arkansas River, the town of Salida is an outdoor enthusiast’s…

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…

Handsome Historic Districts of Colorado
Take a peek into Colorado’s past with a visit to one of these historic districts. Each…

Colorado’s Best Small Christmas Towns to Visit
{Breckenridge, CO – photo by grayskullduggery} What better way than to spend Christmas than in a…

Got Vertical? Colorado Ski Resorts By Size
{Largest ski resort in Colorado, Vail.} Colorado’s world class ski resorts feature a myriad of skiable…

7 of Colorado’s Best Communities to Retire
[Walking along the Animas River in Durango] Colorado’s rising popularity and continued growth bring in new…