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Buena Vista, Colorado: Where Fun and Adventure Meet – The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do and Places to Visit

Book the rafting well ahead of turning up, because the guided trips on the Arkansas River fill right through summer. Give the hot springs an evening rather than a morning, once the whole of the walking is properly done. The goat dairy runs tours, so check the times before you drive all the way out there. The ghost town is the drive west of here. Slowly.

Welcome to the town of Buena Vista, Colorado. After a vacation with outdoor time, scenery and proper food in it, this is the right place. It sits in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, which makes it the town nature people, thrill people and anybody wanting the city off their back end up in.

Outdoor Thrills: hiking, biking, rafting or zip-lining, Buena Vista runs all of it. The town has mountain ranges on every side, the Collegiate Peaks among them, holding some of the strongest hiking trails in the state. For more adrenaline, the Arkansas River is where the white-water rafting happens. And the nearby Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort runs zip-lining, horseback riding and plenty more.

Scenic Sights: Buena Vista holds some of the finest country anywhere. The peaks of the Rocky Mountains through to the clear water of the Arkansas River, the views do not run short. And take the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, Cottonwood Hot Springs and the Buena Vista Heritage Museum for the town’s own history and culture.

Key Takeaways

• Buena Vista, Colorado is the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone looking to escape the city.
• The town offers a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, rafting, and zip-lining, as well as plenty of scenic sights to explore.
• Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or just having fun, Buena Vista has something for everyone.

Outdoor Thrills

Thrill people should point the car at Buena Vista, Colorado. With the Rocky Mountain backdrop behind it, Buena Vista runs outdoor activities in numbers, and most of them get the pulse going.

Hiking Heaven

Hiking people are well served. Buena Vista runs miles of trail at every skill level. Take a slow walk along the Arkansas River, or climb one of the Collegiate Peaks. And Mount Princeton Hot Springs runs trails leading to hot springs and views worth the effort.

Rafting the Arkansas River

After something wet and hard? The Arkansas River is where the rafting happens. Class III to V rapids run through it, so the ride is real. And the rafting companies around here run guided trips at every level.

Fishing Fun

For something slower, fishing is the answer. The Arkansas River holds brown and rainbow trout among the rest. And there are lakes and streams around the area running strong fishing too.

Camping Adventures

After a night under the stars? Buena Vista runs camping options, primitive sites through to RV parks. And the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness takes the backpacking for anybody wanting it rougher.

Climbing the Peaks

Seasoned climbers should take the Collegiate Peaks. With peaks running over 14,000 feet, these mountains hold some of the strongest climbing in the country.

Biking in Chaffee County

For two wheels rather than two feet, Chaffee County runs biking trails across the board, mountain biking through to slow rides along the Arkansas River. And there are bike rental shops around the area.

Winter Sports

Cold weather does not close the outdoors here. Buena Vista runs winter sports across the range, skiing and snowmobiling and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Outdoor person or somebody simply after something new, Buena Vista has a version of it. Get ready for a proper day outside.

Scenic Sights

After views that stop you walking? Buena Vista has them. Hot springs through to ghost towns, the Collegiate Peaks through to Browns Canyon National Monument, and the Continental Divide on top, the scenic list runs long.

Hot Springs Bliss

For rest and recovery, Buena Vista’s hot springs are the answer. Sit in the warm water at Cottonwood Hot Springs or Mount Princeton Hot Springs with the Sawatch Range across the view. It is how a long day of walking gets closed out.

Ghost Towns of the Past

Step back a century at the historic St. Elmo Ghost Town. Walk the abandoned buildings and the late 1800s come at you off the timber. It is unusual and slightly eerie, and it stays with you.

The Majestic Collegiate Peaks

The Collegiate Peaks earn the stop for any nature person. Mount Columbia, Mount Harvard and Huron Peak are among the 14ers making up this range. Take a hike, or drive the Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway for the views without the climb.

Browns Canyon National Monument

For adrenaline, head to Browns Canyon National Monument. Raft the Arkansas River through it, or take the rock climbing. It is where the heart rate goes up and the views come with it.

The Continental Divide

Last, the Continental Divide is worth standing on. From the top, the San Isabel National Forest opens out below you. It is where the photograph gets taken and the scale of the place lands.

So those are the strongest scenic sights around Buena Vista. Get out and take them.

Food and Drink

Local Dining Delights

On dining in Buena Vista, the choice is wider than the population suggests. A proper breakfast, a quick lunch or a slow dinner, all three are covered.

For classic American cooking, head to the Evergreen Cafe. This local place puts out breakfast burritos, pancakes and omelets, with sandwiches and salads at lunch. And for something more upscale, take the Eddyline Restaurant at South Main. This cozy room runs a farm-to-table menu built on seasonal ingredients, with craft cocktails alongside.

Craft Whiskey and Wine

Whiskey and wine people are in luck. Buena Vista runs craft distilleries and wineries doing tastings and tours. Deerhammer Distilling Company is the busiest, making small-batch whiskey from locally sourced grains. Sample the award-winning spirits in the tasting room, or take the tour and watch it being made.

For wine, head to Vino Salida Wine Cellars. This family-owned winery makes handcrafted wines from grapes off Colorado’s Western Slope. The tasting room sits in the heart of downtown Buena Vista with the mountains out across the view.

Artisan Goat Cheese

No trip to Buena Vista is complete without the local artisan goat cheese. Jumpin’ Good Goat Dairy is where to get it, a family-owned farm making award-winning cheeses across a range. Take the farm tour to meet the goats and watch the cheese being made, or simply stop at the tasting room and eat.

The other one is the Chaffee County Farmers Market, running every Sunday from June to October. Locally grown produce fills the tables, alongside honey, goat cheese and other artisan work. It is where the snacks for the next day outdoors come from.

Buena Vista earns rather more of a stop than a town of this size would normally ever get. The Collegiate Peaks run over 14,000 feet and there is a whole row of them out there. The Arkansas River takes Class III to V rapids running right past the town itself out there. And the courthouse here has been working since 1882 without a break in it. Genuinely.

Historical Haunts

History people are well placed in Buena Vista. The Buena Vista Heritage Museum through to the Chaffee County Courthouse, there is plenty to walk into.

Buena Vista Heritage Museum

The Buena Vista Heritage Museum earns the stop for anybody interested in the Arkansas River Valley. A non-profit runs it, and the work is preserving and sharing the area’s past. Inside there are exhibits on mining history, manual typewriters and the golden eagle, alongside a working model railroad. And do not skip the interactive classroom or the historical theater productions.

Chaffee County Courthouse

The Chaffee County Courthouse has been in use since 1882. It sits on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the oldest continuously operating courthouses in Colorado. Take the tour for the history and the architecture. And events run in it through the year.

Mining History

Mining shaped Buena Vista and the country around it. Take a tour of the mining sites and the people who worked them get explained. And the local cemeteries hold the graves of the miners and their families.

There is plenty of history to walk into around Buena Vista. The Arkansas River Valley, the mining, or the Chaffee County Courthouse, all three are covered. So take the camera and work the past.

Community and Culture

Buena Vista is a small town with a big heart. The community is tight-knit and it takes visitors in quickly. Art shows through to live music, the cultural side runs properly. Here are the highlights:

Events and Festivals

Buena Vista runs special events through the year, the annual Art Walk and the Salida Art Show among them. The biggest draw is the Buena Vista Whitewater Festival, held every June at the Buena Vista Whitewater Park. The whole thing marks the river, with kayaking competitions, live music and more besides.

Shopping on South Main Street

South Main Street is the heart of Buena Vista’s shopping. Shops and boutiques run the length of it, outdoor gear stores through to art galleries. The busiest is the Deerhammer Distilling Company, making small-batch whiskey and gin. Stop for a tasting and a tour.

The Surf Hotel

The Surf Hotel is the boutique hotel in the heart of Buena Vista. It suits anybody wanting somewhere with more character than a chain. There is a restaurant and bar in it, and a rooftop bar with the mountains out across the view.

Non-Profit Organizations

Buena Vista runs a number of non-profits supporting the local community. The most notable is the Buena Vista Heritage Museum, working to preserve and share the area’s past. And the Buena Vista Area Chamber of Commerce works to promote local businesses and tourism.

In Buena Vista the community values culture, history and time outdoors in equal measure. Shopping South Main Street or walking McPhelemy Park, the town treats you the same either way.

Accommodation Options

On lodging in Buena Vista, you are well placed. Hotels with the mountains out the window through to places with extras attached, something will fit the taste and the budget.

Hotels with Views

For a room with a view, Buena Vista does not disappoint. The town has mountains on every side and the hotels make use of them. Here are the ones to consider:

• Surf Chateau Boutique Hotel – This charming hotel is located in the heart of Buena Vista and offers stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. The rooms are cozy and stylish, with unique decor and modern amenities.

• Best Western Vista Inn – This hotel is situated on a hill overlooking the town and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, with all the amenities you need for a relaxing stay.

• Buena Vista Motor Inn – This budget-friendly hotel is located on Highway 24 and offers stunning views of the Arkansas River and the Collegiate Peaks. The rooms are clean and comfortable, with all the basics you need for a comfortable stay.

Lodging with Extras

For something with extras attached, Buena Vista has options. Luxurious spas through to cozy cabins, here are the ones to consider:

• Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort – This luxurious resort offers hot springs, a spa, and stunning mountain views. Stay in one of the cozy cabins or book a room in the lodge for a truly relaxing experience.

• B & B Riverside Motel – This budget-friendly motel offers more than just a place to sleep. Guests can enjoy a private bath and shower in each room, as well as stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

• Surf Hotel & Chateau – This boutique hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites with stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks. Guests can also enjoy the hotel’s restaurant and bar, which serves up delicious food and drinks.

Whatever kind of lodging you want, Buena Vista has it. So pack the towels and get ready to slow down in this mountain town.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the deal with the goats at Jumpin-good Goat Dairy in Buena Vista?

The goats are the real stars of Buena Vista. Jumpin-good Goat Dairy is a family-owned farm making goat cheese. Take the farm tour, meet the goats, and eat some of the cheese. The goats are friendly and want the attention, so say hello.

Is Cottonwood Lake in Buena Vista worth a visit?

It is. Cottonwood Lake is an alpine lake sitting a short way outside Buena Vista. It runs the fishing, the hiking and the camping. And wildlife turns up, marmots and bighorn sheep among them. The scenery is the reason to go and the quiet is the reason to stay.

What’s the most unique thing to do in Buena Vista during the summer?

There are plenty of unusual things in Buena Vista through the summer, and the whitewater rafting is our pick. Buena Vista holds some of the strongest whitewater in the country, with rapids running Class II to Class V. It is the kind of thing you talk about afterwards.

What’s the funniest fact about Buena Vista, Colorado?

Did you know Buena Vista was originally named Mah-tah-vah by the Ute Indians, which means beautiful view? That is a fitting name for the place. And for something more recent, Buena Vista holds the world’s largest rubber duck race. Every year thousands of rubber ducks go down the Arkansas River for charity.

Why should I take a break in Buena Vista on my drive between Denver and other destinations?

For a start, Buena Vista is a good place to get out of the car. But it earns the stop on its own too. Mountain views, outdoor activities and a charming downtown, this town covers most interests. And it sits a short drive from some of Colorado’s busiest destinations, Breckenridge and Vail among them.

What’s the coolest event to attend in Buena Vista, Colorado?

There are plenty of good events through the year in Buena Vista, and the Collegiate Peaks Music Festival is our pick. This three-day event runs live music, food vendors and a beer garden. It is the fastest way into the local music scene. And it happens in the heart of downtown Buena Vista, so the town comes with it.

Frequently asked questions about Buena Vista, Colorado

How high exactly do the whole of the Collegiate Peaks run out of Buena Vista, then, really now, in the end?

Over 14,000 feet on the highest of them out there, and there is a whole row of them. Mount Columbia and Mount Harvard and Huron Peak are the ones people always name. The Collegiate Peaks Scenic Byway drives the whole of it if the legs say no to it. Fourteeners.

How hard exactly do the rapids actually run on the Arkansas River out there, then, really now, in the end?

Class III to V out there, which covers everybody from the beginner to the serious ones. Rafting companies in the area run guided trips at every one of those levels out there. Browns Canyon National Monument is where the water gets properly interesting out there. Wetsuits.

How old exactly is the whole of the Chaffee County Courthouse out at Buena Vista, then, really now, in the end?

It has been in use since 1882 out there without a single break in it. That makes it one of the oldest continuously operating courthouses in the whole of Colorado. It sits on the National Register of Historic Places out there as well. Tours.

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