SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Summer in Salida, Colorado
Summer is delightful in our neck of the woods! You’ll enjoy warm days and cool nights with the occasional afternoon thunderstorm. If you love the outdoors, you won’t be disappointed with a vacation spent at Creekside Chalets & Cabins. Our cabins are located close to a number of great summer activities that are sure to please every member of your group
Hiking
You’ll find miles and miles of hiking trails in and around Salida. So, whether you’re an experienced hiker or this is your first time in the mountains, you’re sure to find a trail that meets your needs. One of our favorite trails is the Waterdog Lake Trail. It’s moderately difficult that definitely has some steep sections but the lakes are picture perfect. To get to the trailhead, head toward Monarch Pass on Highway 50. After you pass Monarch Mountain Lodge, continue for another 2.3 miles. You’ll see a dirt parking pullout on the left of the highway and the trailhead starts across the highway from the pullout. For even more hiking trails, Salida Mountain Trails provides an interactive trail map that shows trails throughout the Arkansas Valley.
Mountain Biking
Salida is definitely a bike-friendly town and you’re sure to see quite a few cyclists while you’re here. The mountains are full of a variety of biking trails that are ideal for cyclists of all abilities. In town, you’ll find a number of bike rental shops. You can also access the Arkansas Hills Trail System right from downtown Salida. This trail system has over a dozen trails, ranked in difficulty from green to black. The Monarch Crest Trail is another popular biking trail. It’s about 14.5 miles long and while much of it is at high elevations, you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views. If just this one trail isn’t enough for you, there are two other trails in the area that you can add on as you see fit. High Valley Bike Shuttle offers shuttle service to the trail. We recommend taking the early shuttle so you don’t get hit with afternoon thunderstorms.
Horseback Riding
There’s nothing quite like riding through beautiful mountain scenery on the back of a horse. If you’re interested in a horseback riding adventures, head to Granite Mountain Outfitters. They’re located about a 20-minute drive southeast of our cabins. They offer a variety of rides, lasting from one hour to all day trips. Whether you’re very experienced with riding horses or this will mark your first time, the professionals at Granite Mountain will ensure that you’re matched with the perfect horse. For your trip, you’ll be taken along the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and treated to stunning views every step of the way.
Fishing
The Arkansas River provides some of the best fishing opportunities in the state with both brown and rainbow trout in its waters. The river features many miles of public access, which are easily identifiable thanks to green signs placed along its banks. If you need gear or you’d like to take a guided trip along the river, head to ArkAnglers in Salida. Not only are they a full service fly shop but they offer a variety of walk and wade trips, float trips, and fly fishing lessons.
Zipline Tours
Prepare yourself for a thrilling experience when you head to the Captain Zipline Aerial Adventure Park. It’s the largest park of its type in the state of Colorado and it has opportunities for excitement for visitors of just about all ages. The Canyon Aerial Course is a challenging but visually stunning tour that takes approximately 2.5 hours to complete. With the Lost Canyon Zipline Tour, you’ll enjoy time zipping down seven cables while also learning about the history and ecology of the area. There are also two Via Ferrata tours that will allow you to scale the cliffs safely – even if you don’t have any rock climbing experience. Reservations are recommended, so make sure to book your tour in advance!
Whitewater Rafting
Add a little excitement to your summer vacation with a rafting trip down the Arkansas River. Independent Whitewater offers eight different whitewater rafting trips. You can choose from two-hour and half-day scenic float trips to half- and full-day trips through Browns Canyon and the Royal Gorge. Performance Tours is another great rafting company in the area. They offer half- and full-day scenic float trips as well as half- and full-day trips through Browns Canyon, the Numbers, and the Royal Gorge. A full-day trip through the Narrows is also available. Rafting trips typically run from May through August, conditions permitting.
ATV and Jeep Rentals & Tours
Experience the beauty of the backcountry by way of ATV. With All Seasons Rentals, you have the option to rent an ATV and explore on your own or take a guided tour. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to enjoy an amazing and exciting experience with plenty of beautiful scenery. If an ATV isn’t quite your style, why not explore the high country in a Jeep? Rocky Mountain Jeep Rentals makes it easy for you to have a four-wheeling adventure in the Rocky Mountains with delivery options and pick-ups available at the Salida and Buena Vista airports. They also offer Rock Hounding Tours with the hosts of the TV show, Prospectors.
