THINGS TO DO
THE RIVER IS
JUST THE BEGINNING
Monumental Expeditions is based in Nathrop, almost exactly between Buena Vista and Salida.
That puts you right in the middle of the Arkansas River Valley and close to a ridiculous amount of stuff to do outside.
Raft in the morning, soak in a hot spring that afternoon, grab dinner in town, or spend another day hiking, fishing, biking, or exploring the high country.
MORE TO DO AROUND
THE ARKANSAS VALLEY
Spend a few hours off the river or turn your rafting trip into a full Colorado getaway.
HOT SPRINGS
Soak after the river at one of several developed hot springs near Nathrop and Buena Vista.
HIKING
Riverside walks, Browns Canyon trails, alpine lakes, waterfalls, and high-country routes are all nearby.
FISHING
The Arkansas River offers miles of trout water and public access throughout the upper valley.
BIKING
Buena Vista and Salida both have extensive trail systems ranging from mellow rides to technical mountain biking.
SCENIC DRIVES
Explore mountain passes, Chalk Creek Canyon, old mining country, and some of Colorado's best high-country roads.
CHALK CREEK & ST. ELMO
Head west from Nathrop for mountain scenery, hiking, hot springs, and historic St. Elmo.
HOT SPRINGS
CLOSE TO NATHROP
Few things feel better after a day of rafting or hiking.
Several developed hot springs are within an easy drive of our base, including Mt. Princeton, Cottonwood, and Charlotte Hot Springs.
BUENA VISTA,
NATHROP & SALIDA
Each has its own personality, and our central location makes it easy to explore all three.
BUENA VISTA
Walk downtown and South Main, explore the river park, grab food, browse local shops, hit the trails, or head toward Cottonwood Pass.
NATHROP
Browns Canyon, Chalk Creek, Mt. Princeton, St. Elmo, camping, fishing, hiking, and Monumental Expeditions are all centered around Nathrop.
SALIDA
Walk historic downtown, hang out by the whitewater park, browse shops and galleries, grab dinner, or hit the trails above town.
A FEW LOCAL
FOOD FAVORITES
Some easy places around Buena Vista and Salida when you're hungry after a day outside.
START WITH THE RIVER.
SEE WHERE THE DAY GOES.
RAFT + SOAK
Run the Arkansas in the morning, grab lunch, then head up Chalk Creek for an afternoon hot springs soak.
RAFT + TOWN
Spend the morning on the river, then wander Buena Vista or Salida for food, shops, trails, and a cold drink.
RAFT + CAMP
Stay at Chalk Creek Campground, raft with us, then settle back into camp beside the creek for the evening.
RAFT + EXPLORE
Add a hike, scenic drive, fishing stop, or high-country adventure before heading home.
BASECAMP AT
CHALK CREEK
Monumental Expeditions is located right inside Chalk Creek Campground.
It's a convenient base for rafting, hot springs, Browns Canyon, fishing, hiking, Buena Vista, Salida, and Chalk Creek Canyon.
Stay in a tent site, RV site, or cabin and you've got a lot of the Arkansas River Valley right outside camp.
START YOUR
ARKANSAS RIVER ADVENTURE
Choose your rafting trip first. Then figure out where you want to soak, hike, eat, camp, and explore next.
