If you’re planning a trip to Salida this summer, you’re in for a treat. Nestled in the heart of the Arkansas River Valley and surrounded by the Sawatch and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Salida offers some of Colorado’s best outdoor recreation. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly adventures, challenging mountain pursuits, or a relaxing soak after a day outside, there’s no shortage of things to do.
Here are some of the best summer activities near Salida.
Go Whitewater Rafting on the Arkansas River
Let’s start with the obvious one.
The Arkansas River is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the United States, flowing through the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area for more than 150 miles. The river offers everything from gentle family floats to exciting Class IV rapids.
At Monumental Expeditions, we offer trips for nearly every age and adventure level:
- Salida Valley – Scenic Class I-II rafting, ages 5+
- Bear Creek – Fun splashy Class II-III rapids, ages 6+
- Browns Canyon National Monument – Our most popular trip with exciting Class III whitewater, ages 7+
- The Numbers – Continuous Class IV rapids for experienced adventurers, ages 16+
With lower water levels this season, many sections of the river are especially friendly for families and first-time rafters while still delivering plenty of fun.
Hike to Waterfalls and Mountain Views
The Salida area is surrounded by incredible hiking opportunities.
Some local favorites include:
Browns Creek Falls
A moderate hike leading to a beautiful waterfall cascading through a rocky canyon. This is one of the most popular family-friendly hikes near Salida and offers impressive views without requiring an all-day commitment.
Arkansas Hills Trail System
Located right above town, these trails provide sweeping views of Salida, the Arkansas River, and surrounding mountains. You can choose anything from a short walk to a longer adventure.
Methodist Mountain Trails
A favorite among both hikers and trail runners, this network offers beautiful forests, mountain vistas, and plenty of route options.
Mountain Bike World-Class Trails
Salida has quietly become one of Colorado’s premier mountain biking destinations.
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area features extensive biking opportunities ranging from beginner-friendly trails to technical singletrack. Riders can explore the Arkansas Hills system, Methodist Mountain, and nearby Monarch Crest routes.
The combination of high-alpine scenery, dry trails, and hundreds of miles of riding keeps mountain bikers coming back year after year.
Soak in Natural Hot Springs
After a day on the river or trail, few things feel better than relaxing in a hot spring.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
Located about 30 minutes from Salida in beautiful Chalk Creek Canyon, Mount Princeton Hot Springs features natural geothermal pools, creekside soaking areas, waterslides, spa services, and stunning mountain views. The springs emerge from the ground at approximately 140°F before being cooled in various pools throughout the property.
Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens
One of the newest attractions in the Arkansas Valley, Charlotte Hot Springs & Botanical Gardens opened to the public in 2024 and offers a quieter alternative to some of Colorado’s larger hot springs resorts. The facility features several geothermal soaking pools filled with natural mineral water, along with indoor botanical gardens, landscaped grounds, and beautiful views of the Sawatch Range. The hot springs are part of a family vision that has been generations in the making, with the geothermal water also helping heat the nearby greenhouses that have long been a fixture in the Buena Vista area.
Unlike larger resorts, Charlotte has a more intimate atmosphere. It’s a great choice for visitors looking to relax after a day of rafting, hiking, mountain biking, or fishing without the crowds often found at bigger destinations. The location between Buena Vista and Salida makes it an easy stop during a summer adventure in the Arkansas Valley.
Personally, I’d include Charlotte alongside Mount Princeton and Cottonwood in the article. It’s becoming one of the area’s more interesting hot springs options because it offers something different: smaller pools, botanical gardens, and a more local feel rather than a full-scale resort experience.
Explore Browns Canyon National Monument
One of Colorado’s newest national monuments, Browns Canyon protects over 21,000 acres of rugged wilderness, granite cliffs, wildlife habitat, and scenic river corridor.
While many visitors experience Browns Canyon from a raft, there are also hiking trails, fishing access points, wildlife viewing opportunities, and incredible photography locations throughout the monument area. Bighorn sheep, golden eagles, and mule deer are commonly spotted.
Go Rock Climbing
The Upper Arkansas Valley offers climbing opportunities for nearly every ability level.
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area includes several climbing areas featuring granite walls, sport routes, traditional climbing, and bouldering. The area has become increasingly popular among climbers seeking less crowded alternatives to Colorado’s Front Range crags.
Horseback Riding Through the Mountains
Few experiences capture the Old West spirit of Colorado quite like horseback riding.
Several local outfitters offer guided rides through mountain meadows, forests, and high-country terrain surrounding Salida. Horseback riding is also recognized as one of the many recreation opportunities available throughout the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.
Whether you’re a first-time rider or an experienced equestrian, there are options for all experience levels.
Cast a Line in Gold Medal Waters
The Arkansas River is famous for its Gold Medal trout fishing.
With over 100 miles of Gold Medal designated waters in the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, anglers have opportunities to catch healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout while enjoying some of Colorado’s most beautiful scenery.
Guided fly fishing trips are available throughout the valley for visitors looking to improve their skills or simply maximize their chances of success.
Stroll Historic Downtown Salida
After a day outdoors, spend some time exploring downtown Salida.
The historic district features local restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, art galleries, live music, and unique shops. The Arkansas River runs right through town, creating one of Colorado’s most charming mountain downtowns.
Grab dinner, enjoy a craft beer, and watch the sunset over the surrounding peaks.
Make Monumental Expeditions Part of Your Summer Adventure
The best part about visiting Salida is that you don’t have to choose just one activity.
Many visitors spend the morning rafting Browns Canyon, grab lunch in town, soak at the hot springs, and finish the day exploring downtown. Others combine rafting with hiking, camping, mountain biking, or fishing for a full weekend of adventure.
If you’re planning a summer trip to Salida, we’d love to help you experience the Arkansas River.
All Monumental Expeditions trips include your wetsuit, splash jacket, river booties, and all rafting gear. No hidden fees. No surprise charges. Just great guides, great scenery, and an unforgettable day on the river.