Ask someone what there is to do in Salida, Colorado, and whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River is probably the first answer you'll get. Fair enough — with 152 miles of river running through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, this is one of the most boated stretches of water in the country. But limiting Salida to a rafting town sells it short. This Chaffee County community offers golf, hiking, hot springs, and mountain recreation, all within easy reach of home.
Rafting, Kayaking, and Fishing on the Arkansas River
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area offers world-class whitewater boating, fishing, hiking, and camping along 152 miles of river below the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. With 101 riverside campsites and countless trout fishing opportunities, it's the heart of outdoor life in Salida.
Golf at Salida Golf Club
Golfers have a home right in town at Salida Golf Club, a nine-hole public course built in 1926 with small, fast greens, water on eight holes, and mountain views that make every round memorable. The Golf Cabin Bar & Grill serves food and drinks with a sunset-facing patio, making it a favorite even among non-golfers.
Soaking at Salida Hot Springs
The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center offers year-round soaking and swimming in natural hot mineral water, a relaxing counterpoint to a day spent on the river or the trail.
Hiking and Mountain Biking Near Browns Canyon
With over 175 hiking routes in the area and the Colorado Trail passing nearby, Salida offers no shortage of options for hikers and mountain bikers. Just outside town, Browns Canyon National Monument protects a rugged stretch of the Arkansas River corridor, offering rafting, hunting, horseback riding, and hiking in a wild, uncrowded setting.
Rockhounding and Winter Recreation
Rockhounds can dig for aquamarine on Mt. Antero or garnets on Ruby Mountain, both a short drive from town, while winter brings skiing at nearby Monarch Mountain, known for its deep snow and low crowds.
A Recreational Lifestyle in Salida, Colorado
What sets Salida apart isn't any single activity — it's the range. Within a short drive, residents can raft the Arkansas River in the morning, play a round at Salida Golf Club in the afternoon, and soak at Salida Hot Springs come evening. For buyers considering land or a home for sale in Salida, CO, that kind of everyday access to mountain recreation is hard to beat.