Why You Should Visit Salida, Colorado

Hidden in a broad, sunny valley under towering fourteen-thousand-foot mountains, the small town of Salida, Colorado, attracts honeymooners, snowbirds, and summer-home owners for good reason. The colorful town of Salida sits in the middle of what is known as the "Banana Belt" of Colorado, named such because of its year-round mild climate. Salida's downtown area is lined with inviting boutiques and galleries, restaurants and taverns, and several adventure retail stores with sidewalk displays of kayaks and bicycles. With outdoor activities for every taste, Salida is bustling during every season of the year. Below is a list of reasons to make Salida, Colorado, your next vacation destination.

1. Kayaking and Rafting Adventures - The Arkansas River flows from north of Buena Vista down through Salida and on to Canon City and Pueblo. In the heart of downtown, the city has constructed a kayak park that attracts even professional rafters. During June, the Arkansas River hosts the FIBArk Competition, a rafting and kayaking festival for pro and serious amateur boaters and outdoor enthusiasts. Salida is also home to a large number of whitewater rafting outfits, such as Noah's Ark, Dvorak's, and American Adventure Expeditions. Located just above Salida, Brown's Canyon, the most commercially-rafted stretch of river in the nation, offers Class III rapids, a perfect trip for the adventuresome family. For those craving even more of an adrenaline rush, the Royal Gorge is packed with gnarly Class IV-V rapids; however, in order to experience the Gorge, you must be meet the age requirement and be in good physical condition, preferably with previous paddling experience.
For those of you who enjoy peaceful paddling, the Arkansas River below Brown's Canyon is relatively calm and is a beautiful stretch of river for a dusk paddle in a kayak or duckie (an inflatable kayak).

2. Hiking and Backpacking - The Salida area is home to several of the highest peaks in the state, beautiful mountains that cast their shadows onto the valley below. Mount Shavano, Mount Antero, and the Collegiate Peaks are all within sight of Salida. Many people annually take on the challenge of "bagging" these 14,000-foot peaks. In addition, several trails, such as the Monarch Crest Trail, extend from Salida into the surrounding mountains and forests.

3. Fishing - The Arkansas River runs right through town and is frequently visited by float- and fly-fishermen. Other people prefer to hike or drive to nearby crystalline alpine lakes.

4. Biking - A popular location for mountain biking and road cycling, Salida is a biker-friendly town full of paved trails and rental shops. Rent a mountain bike and take on the Monarch Crest Trail for a challenging single-track ride. Just remember to bring a camera to capture the wildlife and breathtaking scenery, and make sure to ride in groups - mountain lions have been spotted in the area.

5. Rockclimbing - Salida is a popular destination for climbing buffs. Many of the area outfitters, such as Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center and Rock 'n' Raft also offer climbing from Cotopaxi on up through Buena Vista.

6. SKiing - Monarch Ski Area is just a short trip away in Monarch Pass. Welcoming both skiers and snowboarders, the area boasts tough expert runs as well as a variety of easier novice routes.

7. Natural Hot Springs - The Salida area bubbles with natural hot springs! For the kids, many of the hot springs have swimming pools and diving boards. Others, such as Cottonwood Hot Springs, have several hot tubs at varying temperatures. One of the most exciting hot springs, Mount Princeton Hot Springs is simply a chilly river with pockets of wonderfully warm water. In addition to the river attraction, Mount Princeton also has a swimming pool. A perfect way to relax after a full day of skiing, biking, or hiking, most hot springs are open year-round. Make sure to find out which springs are clothing-optional before bringing the family.

8. Restaurants and Shopping - Not a run-of-the-mill town, Salida is colorful, pedestrian-friendly, and alive with outdoor adventurists, artists, and and musicians who call the town home. Salida's downtown is filled with Native American art galleries, pottery shops selling beautiful works by local potters, natural foods markets, outfitter stores, and gift boutiques. The town is also home to a wonderful array of eateries and taverns. Amica's offers calzones, salads, and brick-oven pizzas, not to mention a wide selection of alcoholic beverages. Great for fueling up nutritiously before a river trip, Whitewater Wraps has delicious build-your-own burritos and rice bowls. A local favorite, Bongo Billy's is the perfect spot to grab a meal or a cup of joe or tea and watch local talent perform live music. Bongo Billy's also features photography and artwork by local artisans, excellent coffee drinks, and a deck overlooking the Arkansas River. Salida even has a sushi shack, located next to the skate park, with delicious rolls and a wide variety of healthy dishes for a reasonable price.

9. The People - The people of Salida are warm, friendly, and interesting, each with his or her own story. Some of them are as rugged as the mountains surrounding them, others graceful and artistic. The Salida area is rich with history and folklore, and most of the locals love to share their tales with visitors. Attend a Sunday service at the Poncha Springs Church of Christ to meet some of the friendliest folk in Colorado, or engage the employees at Headwaters in a conversation about their love for the outdoors. Many of the art galleries are owned by the artists themselves, and these talented individuals would love to share their secrets with you.

10. The Beauty of Creation - Come to Salida to enjoy gorgeous scenery and the experience of being truly in the mountain wilderness. While Salida offers all the commodities of a resort town, it is anything but a ritzy tourist trap. Salida is a bonafide mountain town, quiet and unassuming, in which bears are frequently seen and mountain lions are said to roam the surrounding land. Farms and ranches sprawl on the outskirts of town, and traffic is a minimum here. If you are looking for a genuine Colorado experience, come to Salida and watch the sun set over the western peaks. Meditate on the sunrise glistening on the river and watch the deer come down to drink. See the wildflowers in the summer, bright as confetti on the foothills, or watch the aspen trees turn to fiery orange and gold in autumn. Listen to the hush of snowfall in the winter, and witness the excitement of new life in spring as the fawns, bighorn lambs, and other animals are born.

Named one of the top twenty dream towns and adventure hideouts by Outdoor Magazine, Salida is located in the south-central part of the state. A secret jewel of Colorado waiting to be mined, Salida has a charm that beckons every heart to come and stay as long as possible, to play in its beauty, and to bask in its personality.