Get ready to ride the river with Totally Tubular, proud to partner with Smalltown for the Cause! Located right on the Arkansas River, Totally Tubular offers everything you need for an unforgettable day on the water—tubes, surfboards, inflatable kayaks, rafts, and stand-up paddle boards.

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Paddling, Surfing, Floating

Welcome to the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area! This is one of the nation’s most popular locations for whitewater rafting and kayaking. It’s also home to the most commercially rafted river in Colorado, the Arkansas River!

The Arkansas Headwater Recreation Area also offers a world class trout fishery and abundant opportunities for camping, picnicking, hiking, wildlife watching, horseback riding, mountain biking, OHV travel and sightseeing within the Upper Arkansas River Valley.

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Anupa IV hydration clinic just down the road from Riverside Park (West Sackett St next to the Boathouse).

Sangre De Cristo Mountains

The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are the southernmost range of the Rocky Mountains.  Named for the Blood of Christ, they offer tremendous reds for sunrise and sunset and especially when covered with snow and the alpenglow sets in. One of the longest ranges on earth, they run from Poncha Pass and into New Mexico.

The 220,000 acres of Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is the third largest in Colorado. It’s a very desolate area. The only roads that traverse this range are for four-wheel drive.

Unlike most Colorado mountains, the Sangres were uplifted suddenly in massive blocks. It created dramatic peaks with a lack of foothills, much like the Teton range in Utah. It is still being uplifted today as faults remain active.

Turquoise Lake

Nestled among the peaks of Leadville, is Turquoise Lake. It was named after the many turquoise mines nearby and is located at nearly 10,000 feet elevation. Originally a natural lake, it was dammed in the late 18th century to support the many mining operations.

Turquoise Lake is surrounded by eight campgrounds, offering about 300 spots. With two boat launches, it is very popular in the summers. Though it is only about five miles from Leadville, it offers amazing views where you can get away from it all and take in the scenery from this high altitude.

Collegiate Peaks

Chaffee County is famous for having the most fourteeners in its landscape. The Collegiate Peaks scenic byway offers a great way to view the mountains rising up to 14,000 feet. Starting in Granite, Highway 24 runs south past the peak of Mount Oxford as it heads toward Buena Vista. There are hiking summits to Mount La Plata, Mount Missouri, and other ones here. But you’ll also find several trails to enjoy four-wheeling, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking to satisfy a few of the other outdoor enthusiasts.

Mounts Harvard, Colombia and Yale are along the way when you head into Buena Vista. From here, you can take County Road 306 and explore a lot of them. There are many trails off of this road for hiking, biking, and snowshoeing. At Cottonwood Creek you can fish and boat at the base of these great peaks. Take a 4×4 up the trail further and enjoy dispersed camping. In winter, the closed pass is groomed by the local snowmobiling club.

Maps & More

Salida and Buena Vista are well known for their biking, both road and mountain varieties. In both towns, rides are literally right out the door – there’s no need to load, unload, load and unload gear to get out for rides and back to home base.

And whatever the season – early spring, late fall or dead of winter – it’s biking time. Mild temperatures and trails on sandy slopes make for year-round riding in the Upper Arkansas Valley.

Methodist Mountain is a really cool area that has been used by locals for many years. If you do The Rainbow Trail from Bear Creek you will end up above the Methodist Trail system.

Methodist Mountain riding is classic high mountain desert through beautiful Pinon Trees. (Much of The Rainbow Trail is located on Methodist Mountain, but at a slightly higher elevation allowing for darker soil, Ponderosas, Aspens and snow in the off season).

Methodist Mountain’s “anchor trail” is the Little Rainbow. It’s mostly machine built so it is wide and wonderful. Ride or shuttle up to the CR110 trailhead. From here, ride over to Race Track and down, then back to town. If more time and legs, explore the Double Rainbow as an out and back before jumping on the Little Rainbow.

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In recognition of its numerous art studios and galleries, in 2012 downtown Salida was named one of Colorado’s first Creative Districts.

The arts in Salida took hold in the 1980s and 1990s when the valley’s mining and energy economy tanked, leading to high unemployment, business closures and vacant downtown storefronts. With cheap rents, low real estate prices and abundant outdoor recreation and natural beauty for inspiration, the arts in Salida gained a foothold. In 1998, traveland arts writer John Villani designated Salida one of the 100 best small art towns in America … and Salida’s affair with the arts was on its way.

Dozens of studios and galleries today feature artists and their work, from traditional landscapes to wild-side eclectic creations. Step into the shops and you’re likely to be talking to the artist whose studio is in the back of the building.

Visitors will find retailing variety, including necessities like groceries and banks along with clothing stores, antique and secondhand businesses and stores offering outdoor sports gear, gifts and real estate, with most all locally-owned.

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Gold Metal Waters.

Fishing in the Upper Arkansas Valley is a superb blend of river and big country. With 102 miles of Gold Medal water, the longest contiguous stretch in Colorado, the Arkansas flows through a diverse landscape. Mild winter days in the 40s and 50s make angling on the Arkansas River a year-round experience. Whether it’s late fall or mid-winter, anglers head to the Arkansas knowing that the sun will warm the water and trout will actively begin feeding.

Salida is a bustling small town with lots to do all year long! Check out these activities while you’re in town for the festival and support the local businesses!