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Salida - South Central Colorado
Includes Howard & Poncha Springs
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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.
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, Monarch, Northern San Luis Valley & Royal Gorge
Salida Featured Advertisers:
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- Fun, exciting raft trips for all ages and abilities, all with FREE WETSUIT USE! Located in the Heart of the Colorado Rockies, between Salida and Buena Vista.
- Ride the Divide! Guided or unguided, you choose. Come enjoy the fun of riding through back country of Rocky Mountains near Salida and Buena Vista. Open all year. Enjoy our spectacular Fall Color Tours.
- Soothe your body and soul! The luxurious vacation home is located in a spectacular alpine setting between Buena Vista and Salida with a private hand-built soaking hot mineral springs pool.
- Rent your Jeep or pop-up camping trailer from us. No need to tow your camper across country. We can make your vacation one you will remember for years to come. Serving Salida and Buena Vista areas.
- In the heart of the fourteeners region near Buena Vista & Salida, these historic creekside cabins were built in the early 1900's & renovated in 2004. Each has a private hot spring pool just outside the door.
- Arkansas Headwaters is one of the nation's premier recreation areas! Camp (no drinking water), fish, raft, kayak, picnic, hike, mountain bike and along 150 miles of the Arkansas River, near Salida.
- Between Salida and the Royal Gorge by the Arkansas River. Cabins, motel rooms, RV and tent camping, a cowboy wagon ride with steak dinner & cowboy music great for families, reunions & weddings.
 | Bighorn Park  Full service small resort, specializing in groups, along The Arkansas River with excellent fly fishing and beautiful views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Between Salida & Canon City in Coaldale. |
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- In Salida, low prices, surrounded by majestic Mountains. The motel features rooms to fit your needs with full and queen size beds, phones with free local calls, microwaves and refrigerators. Hunter Welcome!
- Buena Vista Jeeps will help you experience Colorado. Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Collegiate Peaks with rows of "Fourteeners". We provide you with a true mountain travel vehicle.
- The only individual cabin rental on the Big Bend of the Arkansas River with easy access to 1,100 feet of private fishing, near Salida. "Where relaxation is a year round activity." Hunters and rafters welcome!
 | Chaffee County Visitors Bureau Where less is more: less traffic, less crowded & more fun. America's most popular, accessible river to raft & fish. More tall peaks per square mile than anywhere in the US. Unreal hot springs, biking & skiing. |
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- Some RV & tent sites right on Chalk Creek, near Buena Vista. Large full hookups for Big Rigs. Cabins with kitchen and bathroom, sleep up to six people. Close to fishing, rafting, off roading, hiking & more.
- Built in 2002 in tradition of a classic western lodge with all modern conveniences. Each room has FREE high speed Internet access, satellite TV and views of the mountains. Near Salida. Espresso coffees!
- Vacation homes in the Upper Arkansas River Valley: Buena Vista, Salida & Monarch. Rentals for your family or bring your group: Sit back, relax and let us organize your perfect western vacation for you!
- This Salida hotel is on Highway 50, the main East-West highway through central Colorado. Clean, comfortable over-sized rooms. Indoor heated pool and hot tub. Ask about our Play and Stay packages!
 | Cutty's Resort Hayden Creek In the Rockies of Central Colorado, Hayden Creek is surrounded by National land between Canon City and Salida off Highway 50. Clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pool, teen center, adult lodge and mini golf. |
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- In the Heart of the Rockies. Full RV hookups on level, grassy sites by the churning Arkansas River. 3 cabins. 2 miles east of Salida. Open all year. SAVE MONEY, LONGER STAY! Multi-night discounts.
- We are the only jeep tour company in the Salida/Buena Vista area that crosses the Continental Divide! America's Luxury Jeep tours at economy prices! Enhance the Magic of the Mountains!
 | Heart of the Rockies Campground, LLC Central to tour Pikes Peak, The Royal Gorge Bridge, The Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Great Sand Dunes Nat'l Monument and high country mining ghost towns. FREE Wi-Fi. Tents separate from RVs. |
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- Only 3 miles from Monarch Ski Resort and tucked away in the mountains of the San Isabel National Forest is the historic gold mining town of Garfield, which is where you will find our family friendly lodge.
- RV's, campers & tenters welcome. The Arkansas River runs next to the park providing great fishing -- 2 miles of private access. In Howard, between Salida and the Royal Gorge off US Hwy 50. WI-FI access.
- Next to the North Fork of the South Arkansas River with mountain views. Minutes to Monarch Ski Area these luxury cabins and villas on eleven acres have full kitchens, private hot tubs, satellite TV and WI-FI.
- Open all year! 2 Cabins. 10 motel rooms. Kitchenettes. Ski Monarch is only 20 minutes away. Pets welcome! Near fishing, hiking, jeeping, rafting, hot springs, restaurants. 5 miles W. of Salida on US 50.
- Relax in a log home with mountain views in all directions near Salida. Queen size beds are in each room. Full gourmet breakfasts are served each morning. On 5 acres with barn and corral for your horse.
- Step-back in time while still enjoying the modern conveniences of an original log cabin homesteads; or a 1,385 square foot home constructed in 2001 with private 5-person hot tub! Near Poncha Springs.
- NO TRAILERING--trails start at our front door! St. Elmo Colorado was officially founded in 1880. Most reasonable priced rentals in the area. 56 miles of mapped out trips visiting ghost towns & gold mines.
- Open all year. FREE WI-FI. 12 miles E of Salida, 35 miles W of Royal Gorge. Hookups, nestled under tall pines, cool shade. Walk to Arkansas River. Creekside tent sites. Stay in a Vintage 1951 travel trailer.
- A family friendly historic railroad boarding house is only a block from the Arkansas River, surrounded by fourteeners, and conveniently located in Salida. Or for more privacy stay in the cottage or guest houses.
- Relax on 37 acres bordered by mountains near Salida. Luxury chalets with fully equipped kitchens and fireplaces. Our country manor has spacious B&B rooms. Stalls & pastures for our guests' horses.
- Live in style while you play in Salida with two-master suites plus walkout family room with leather queen sofa sleeper, three and a half baths and a 1-car garage all on the Arkansas River.
RV Sales, Services, and Rentals
- WELCOME TRAVELERS to Salida! 100 new & used RVs in stock.
Chaffee County Visitors Bureau
Where less is more: less traffic, less crowded & more fun. America's most popular, accessible river to raft & fish. More tall peaks per square mile than anywhere in the US. Unreal hot springs, biking & skiing.- Salida Chamber of Commerce
- The Town of Poncha Springs
Salida Area Maps:
- Arkansas River Headwater Area - North
- Arkansas River Headwater Area - South
- Salida & Monarch Jeeping & ATV Trails
- St. Elmo Jeeping & ATV Trails
- Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway
- Buena Vista Snowmobile Trails
- Monarch Snowmobile Trails
- Rainbow Trail Hiking Map
- The Colorado Trail
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