Debra is a full-time RVer who has traveled coast to coast looking for the cutest bookstores and the perfect cup of chai. She and her husband enjoy creating community on the road by meeting up with friends or finding new ones enroute. They love sharing their adventures and making friends here at The Virtual Campground and sharing Barry’s great photography.
When you roll through Colorado, make sure to add Chaffee County to your itinerary—you won’t be sorry! Salida, the largest town in Chaffee County, is home to about 6,000 of the friendliest, most laid-back people you’ll meet. Whether you love hiking, mountain biking, or simply soaking in the scenery with a cold drink in hand, Salida delivers.
Where the Mountains Meet the High Desert
And what a view! Nestled in the Arkansas River Valley, Salida is surrounded by three mountain ranges and lies within Colorado’s high desert. The combination makes for incredible year-round outdoor opportunities—from skiing at nearby Monarch Mountain in winter to rafting, kayaking, and even river surfing the Arkansas River in summer. Add in small-town charm and a thriving craft beverage scene, and you’ve got the perfect RV destination.
Exploring Like a Local: Options for Your Day
Relax and Discover Downtown
Morning:
Start your day at Bunny and Clydes’ for a delicious breakfast bowl or burrito. They also serve great lattes (I vouch for the homemade chai) and yummy baked goods including gluten free options! Afterwards, take a relaxing walk or bike ride on the Monarch Spur Trail. Simply cross the street to the sculpture of a blue rabbit walking a dog and choose whether to head toward the river or away from town for a longer walk. This paved, easy trail runs about 2 miles one-way. If you head to the river, you can add on the easy section of River Trail.
Afternoon:
Explore Salida’s vibrant historic downtown. Check out local shops and galleries. Grab lunch at one of the many restaurants such as Sushi Thai. Better yet, get a pizza from Moonlight Pizza and take it down to Riverfront Park for lunch al fresco. This large shaded park is right on the river. If you are lucky, there might be a concert in the bandshell. Or you might watch surfers catching a wave at the Scout River Surf Wave, an artificial wave put in the river by the city that attracts new and seasoned surfers.
Evening:
After your busy day, stop in at Woods High Mountain Distillery or The Office Bar for a cocktail. Woods gives you a quirky pub atmosphere where you can enjoy interesting cocktails. Grab a seat by the clear garage door for a fascinating view of the street. Or walk next door to The Office Bar to hear live music or play a game in their back yard.
Walk back towards the Riverfront Park and have dinner at Shavano. Recently opened by a couple of friends, this was our best dinner of the year so far! The place is small and doesn’t take reservations. However that was part of the joy of the place. Grab a fantastic glass of wine and sit on the patio by the fire pit (weather permitting). Strike up a conversation with your fellow waiting diners who are likely locals and will have great suggestions on local spots for you.
After dinner, walk around a little more to walk off the calories and head back to rest up for your active day tomorrow.
Get Active in the Mountains
Morning:
Fortify yourself at Mountain Phoenix. While I don’t drink coffee, my friends that do gave their bold roast high marks. I was pleased they poured one of my favorite chais, Sanctuary Honey Spice. They also have great breakfast burritos and the scones are worth ALL the calories. Enjoy, you will be working it off today.
Head over to Tenderfoot Mountain, also known as S Mountain (note the large S displayed). This moderately steep hill gives you sweeping views over Salida and the Arkansas River. It’s a local favorite for good reason. You have plenty of choices of trails from easy to hard as well as choice of length and elevation. You also have a choice between hiking or mountain biking. Keep this in mind if you are a hiker, the bikers use the same trails and can sneak up quickly.
For a scenic but easier route, park at Arkansas Hills Trailhead off CR 176 and take Lil Rattler to the summit building above the “S.” As you return to your car, try taking Lil Rattler behind the hill for a different view. And keep your eyes peeled, we saw a small herd of bighorn sheep while hiking.
For more trails, park across the river from Riverfront Park. This gives you access to the full S Mountain trails. Rise and Shine connects you to several intermediate bike and hike paths. Or you can take the switchback up to the summit.
Other options for hikes and bikes include Methodist Mountain which gives a different view of the area as it is to the south of town. Epic hikes such as Waterdog or Monarch Pass up into the Sawatch mountains give you a totally different adventure. Many are not open or free of snow until June so check the conditions.
If you are staying at Monarch Spur RV and Campground, walk across the road to a sweet trail that follows the old train tracks. We found several bits of the track and cargo along the trail. We also saw a lot of dried out animal bones so clearly a mountain lion or bear were fairly active at one time.
For all these hikes, be sure to carry plenty of water. You are in the high desert and it is extremely dry. Also, S Mountain has very little shade so time it so you are finishing up before it gets too hot.
Afternoon:
This might be a great time to cool off in the Arkansas River or take a rafting trip! Of course you can chill out our favorite way! Head over to Tres Litros for a great afternoon. Funky and fun, they have a great selection of beers, a cater in house and a stack of games to keep you chilling for a while. Live music, trivia and other entertainments are also on the calendar so check and see what is coming up during your stay.
Evening:
Since you worked off a lot of calories, why not check out a couple other watering holes? We suggest one or more of the following:
Soulcraft Brewing – Spacious, with a great selection and an onsite food trucks with delicious burgers. Try the Coconut Milk Stout or X-Ray IPA. They have a very large outdoor patio and feature and live music some nights.
Salida Distillery – We had a fabulous time at this watering hole. They offer great drink options including tasty mocktails, feature live music and have the best Thai food trucks in the area.
Elevation Brewery – Talk about a fun brewery. Officially located in Poncha Springs, Elevation takes food and drink up a notch. They were one of hte first in the area and have a large outdoor space where you can enjoy your beers. Known for their 8 Second Kölsch, they give you a rotating choice of beers and some great merch. Check out Barry’s new shirt –
Take a Drive or Soak
Morning:
Pack up a lunch and head out for a scenic drive. Check out the Passes if there during summer to enjoy a gorgeous drive and view. Monarch Pass into Gunnison, CO stays open year-round. During summer, stop at the Monarch Pass Visitor’s Center and take a ride on the scenic tram for amazing views.
Afternoon:
Drive to St. Elmo, CO is a perfect way to spend the afternoon. Formerly a mining town of 2000, the town was abandoned when the train discontinued serve. Now more a tourist attraction, it seems to also be attracting more residents as we saw lots of new homes being built. During the summer, the General Store is open and the local chipmunks are so used to people that they will eat out of your hand. Don’t miss the cemetery where you will find a list of names with the causes of their demise. And if you like to off-road, Tin Cup is one of the busiest and longest off-roads we have done.
Evening:
Buena Vista – If you made it to St. Elmo then BV is only 20 more miles. Head into this great town which is the bookend to Salida of Chaffee County. Here you have lots of options on restaurants and libations. I highly recommend The Slammer, a former jail turned whisky hole especially if you are there on a Thursday night. Stop in at The Olive food truck at the BV Backyard for dinner, then head to The Slammer for a cocktail.
If you prefer your relaxation after a day of driving to include hot springs, head over to Cottonwood Hot Springs for a wonderful soak in mineral hot waters. There are several hot springs in the area, but this was my favorite. It felt more natural with its rock lined pools and offers a great variety of heat options. You can even park a RV there if the idea of staying longer strikes your fancy.
Where to Stay: RV-Friendly Options.
Monarch Spur RV Park and Campground
This became our home away from home. We stayed for six weeks before Camp Carpe Diem and loved it! Sites can be a bit tight when full, but before Memorial Day it felt like our personal mountain retreat. The owners are incredibly welcoming, and the facilities are clean and top-notch. While it’s about a 15-minute drive into town, its setting amid the mountains is peaceful and beautiful. It’s also the closest full-hookup campground to Monarch Ski Area if you come during ski season.
For those of you driving through, it is an easy option as you travel over Monarch Pass as it is right off the road.
BLM Boondocking
Free, dispersed camping is available throughout this area. Most with mountain views. Our favorite, and one we have repeatedly returned to, is Raspberry Gulch. This is a great option if you are visiting both Buena Vista and Salida as it is about half way between them. It’s quiet, remote, and filled with starry skies.
Hecla Junction Campground
This one isn’t free, has no hookups or trash cans, but is so worth it! Right on the Arkansas River, we enjoyed watching the rafters go by. We did the hike along the river several times and even spotted a bighorn sheep once. This is a peaceful setting and ideal for birdwatching, fishing, and those wanting to unplug.
Four Seasons RV Park
Though we haven’t stayed here, it comes highly recommended. It’s right on the Arkansas River and within walking distance to downtown Salida.
Tips to Keep in Mind:
- Plan for weather: The weather here changes on a dime. It will be hot for an hour, then clouds roll in to drop it ten degrees or bring in a sudden downpour. be prepared and start your hikes early.
- Bring layers: Evenings cool down, especially near Monarch Pass. plus see above so be prepared.
- Dogs welcome: Most trails and breweries are pet-friendly, but bring water and a leash.
- Groceries & supplies: Walmart and Safeway are in town. Be sure to check out Scanga, a fantastic meat market with a strong Italian grocery.
- Stay at posted speed: Always be on alert for deer and other animals while driving. If you see one on the side of the road, keep an eye out for its friends and for them quickly entering the highway. This also might be the busiest highway in the US for speeding tickets. We rarely went down 285 without seeing the Sheriff or Highway Patrol pulling someone over.
Final Pour
Salida makes it easy to feel like a local and enjoy the beauty of the area. Whether you’re hiking to the top of the “S” or sipping a cold craft beer as the sun dips behind the Sawatch Range, this town invites you to enjoy the journey. And the longer you linger, the more you will find!
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