Kailey and River
Where to Wander
Salida, Colorado
Salida, Colorado, USA is a small mountain town with a big heart, born in the late 1800s as a railroad hub along the Arkansas River and now known for its creative, outdoorsy spirit. Today, historic brick streets are filled with art galleries, live music, coffee shops, and river patios, all surrounded by mountains in every direction. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning rafting or hiking, the afternoon soaking in hot springs, and the evening wandering downtown with music drifting through the air.
Outdoor Adventure Ideas
From rivers to ridgelines, hot springs to high-alpine trails, here are some of our favorite ways to explore the area while you’re in town.
Hot Springs
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Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
https://mtprinceton.com
A must-visit natural hot springs destination with pools, spa areas, and Chalk Creek soaking (~20 minutes from Salida).
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Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center
https://www.cityofsalida.com/aquaticcenterLarge indoor hot springs pool right in town—perfect for a relaxing reset.
Hiking (Favorites Nearby)
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S Mountain
Quick hike right from town with iconic sunset views over Salida.
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San Isabel National Forest
https://www.fs.usda.gov
Alpine lakes, wildflowers, and endless trail options within a short drive.
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Monarch Crest / Monarch Pass
High-elevation ridge hikes with sweeping Continental Divide views.
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Methodist Mountain Trails
Local favorite for hiking and biking with wide valley views.
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North Backbone Trail System
Scenic ridgeline trails overlooking the Arkansas River Valley.
Horseback Riding
Ride through classic Colorado scenery with mountain and valley views.
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Mt. Princeton Riding Stables
https://mtprinceton.com/horseback
Scenic guided trail rides located at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, offering easygoing rides through alpine meadows and creekside terrain.
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AOK Corral (Buena Vista)
https://www.okcorrals.com/
Family-run outfit offering relaxed guided rides through the Arkansas River Valley and surrounding foothills.
Rafting (Arkansas River)
World-famous whitewater just minutes from town.
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Salida River Adventures
https://www.salidariveradventures.com
Guided rafting trips on the Arkansas River, including the scenic Browns Canyon section and beginner-friendly floats near town.
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Independent Whitewater
https://www.raftsalida.com
Longtime local outfitter offering fun, scenic, and family-friendly rafting trips with experienced guides.
Fly Fishing
Cast right into some of Colorado’s best trout waters.
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ArkAnglers
https://arkanglers.com
Full-service fly shop and guide company offering gear, local advice, and guided fishing trips on the Arkansas River.
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The Next Eddy
https://thenexteddy.com
Downtown fly shop offering gear rentals and guided trips for all experience levels.
Mountain Biking
Some of the best small-town trail systems in Colorado.
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Salida Mountain Trails System (S Mountain / Arkansas Hills)
https://www.colorado.com/articles/mountain-biking-trails-salida-colorado
A massive network of singletrack trails right from town with everything from mellow rides to challenging climbs.
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Salida Bike Park
https://www.cityofsalida.com
In-town bike park with jumps, flow trails, and beginner-friendly features.
Jeeping / Dirt Roads
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Rocky Mountain Jeep Rentals
https://www.rockymountainjeeprentals.com
Rent Jeeps or UTVs to explore high-alpine passes and forest roads around Salida.
Ropes Course / Zipline
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Captain Zipline – Canyon Challenge Course
https://captainzipline.com
Massive aerial adventure park with bridges, obstacles, and ziplines over a mountain canyon.
This weekend will be peak summer season in Salida, meaning the town is lively, busy, and full of energy:
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First Friday Art Walk (Aug 7) – galleries stay open late with art, music, and downtown activity
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Live music all weekend – small venues and patios host performances Friday–Sunday evenings
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River & outdoor season at its peak – rafting, biking, hiking, and hot springs all very active
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Downtown is lively every night – patios and bars fill up quickly at sunset
Important Guest Tip
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Make dinner reservations early (1–2 weeks ahead if possible)
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Book rafting, horseback riding, and hot springs in advance
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Expect busy patios on the weekends
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Arrive early for parking downtown, especially around sunset
Where to Eat and
Drink in Salida
Reservations are strongly recommended, and a friendly reminder that we’ve got Friday and Saturday dinner covered for you.
Upscale-ish
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Shavano –
Modern farm-to-table dining with a curated wine list and romantic atmosphere. https://www.friendsofshavano.com
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Currents Steak & Seafood –
Classic steakhouse with seafood, cocktails, and riverfront views.
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Osake Steak & Sushi Bar –
Upscale sushi + steakhouse with a modern vibe.https://www.osakesteakandsushi.com/
Casual Favorites
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Amicas Pizza Microbrewery –
Local staple for pizza and house-brewed beer.
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Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub –
Lively patio, great pizza, and frequent live music.
https://moonlightpizzasalida.com
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Benson’s Tavern & Beer Garden –
Burgers, green chile, and casual live music energy.
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High Side! –
Riverside tacos, cocktails, and outdoor seating. https://highsidesalida.com
Breakfast Bites
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Robin’s Restaurant — Classic brunch with riverside patio vibes, known for eggs Benedict and pancakes. https://www.robinssalida.com
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Bunny & Clyde’s Corner Cafe — Bright, artsy café with great coffee, burritos, and vegan-friendly options. https://www.bunnyandclydes.com/
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Mojo’s Eatery — Cozy, scratch-made brunch spot famous for hearty breakfast burritos and biscuits & gravy.
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The Biker & The Baker — Trendy brunch spot with creative dishes and a more upscale, mountain-town feel.
http://www.thebikerandthebaker.com
Nightcap Spots
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Liberty Hall — One of the top cocktail bars in town with creative drinks and a modern, stylish vibe. https://www.libertyhallbar.com
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The Office Bar — A downtown favorite for well-made cocktails, wine, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. https://www.theofficebarsalida.com
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The Victoria Tavern (“The Vic”) — A true local hangout with live music, craft cocktails, and a classic Salida dive-bar-meets-community vibe.https://www.thevicsalida.com
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Wood’s High Mountain Distillery Tasting Room — One of the most unique spots in town for spirit-forward cocktails and tasting flights.
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High Side! Bar & Grill — A lively riverside favorite for drinks, live music, and a fun local crowd.
https://salida.com/salida-listing-data/high-side-bar-grill/