When you visit this area, there are many activities that you can do. I've listed some of the ones close to our lodge. There is also a free visitors guide you can get here: http://www.colorfulcolorado.com/request-a-mailed-visitors-guide
Take a hike
Dozens of easy to drive to trailheads and campgrounds provide the launching off point to a nearly endless selection of adventures limited only by interest, time and energy. Choose to summit a 14,000-foot peak, aka 14ers, or meander along on day or multi-day hike on famous trail systems like the Colorado Trail that traverses along the entire county.
Go to the us Forest service building in Salida or visit their website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/psicc/about-forest/districts/?cid=fsm9_032697
Go fishing
As its reputation grows, the Arkansas River is luring anglers to one of the healthiest self sustaining wild brown trout fisheries in the country with an unparalleled fly fishing season from March through October. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can enjoy yourself on the river
To buy a fishing license or state park pass online, you can go to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website:
http://cpw.state.co.us/ There is also info on hiking with wildlife (especially bears) and weekly fishing reports.
RAFTING SEASON APRIL - SEPTEMBER
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Has Over 150 Miles of Rafting. From Salida to Canon City, Colorado, there are many whitewater rafting towns located on the Arkansas River. The Arkansas River is the most popular whitewater rafting river in Colorado.
The closest rafting company to our lodge is Arkansas River Tours which is 12 minutes from our lodge. Here's the link: http://www.arkansasrivertours.com
Go 4 wheeling or ATVing
The Rocky Mountain backcountry in the Salida area is vast and rugged. It only makes sense, then, to get the most out of your trip to this area
by exploring it on a four-wheeler. Whether you drive your own four-wheeler , or ATV, you can expect no less than a thrilling experience.
The Salida and Coaldale areas provide numerous trails with amazing views of theSawatch Range and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges
as well as fascinating ghost town and mining districts to explore. You can bring your own or rent one.
For places to go and rentals click: http://salida.com/salida-best-of/best-of-salida-four-wheeling.html
There are places in Coaldale, near our lodge, that we can tell you about as well
Soak in a hot spring
We have a two person hot tub at our lodge which you can use when you stay here.
There are also several hot springs in the area that you can drive to (25 min. to one and a half hours away) Here are the links:
http://www.mtprinceton.com/ http://salidarec.com/public-pool/ http://cottonwood-hot-springs.com/colorado http://www.joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/
Horseback riding
Ride native mountain horses in the wild west, see some stunning views of the mountains and local foliage
Here's two other stables 45 min.
Besides great trails, it's the amazing climate that's generating buzz about riding in the Upper Arkansas Valley. Year-round riding rarely requires more than making sure to pack layers
To get info on the local
Fly through the hills on a
Suspend your fear as you zip along our cables, reaching speeds up to 40 mph, and soar over the canyon floor some 100-200 feet below!
While taking short hikes between platforms your guides will tell you about some of the Wild West History of the area.
Here's the link for Captain Zipline: http://www.captainzipline.com/
Visit Browns Canyon National Monument
Nestled along the Arkansas River in the center of Colorado, between Buena Vista and Salida, Browns Canyon National Monument offers
solitude and primitive recreation, including rafting, kayaking, hunting, horseback riding, backpacking, fishing, and hiking.
Here's a link to a video about Brown's canyon: