Default Colo Roadtrips Hero with Logo

Salida, which means exit in Spanish, is actually an entrance to some of Colorado's highest country. It's surrounded by a dozen of the state's 58 fourteeners and an excellent launchpad for adventure and creative pursuits. (It should also be noted that perhaps "exit" is appropriate because it's where the Arkansas River exits the earth and begins its journey to the Gulf of Mexico.)

Salida: Small Mountain Town With It All

legacy_lii_road_trip_309526

There are special places and unique vistas around nearly every Colorado corner. You can help ensure these places exist for generations to come by staying on roads and trails, keeping speeds in check, leaving campsites and picnic spots just as you found them, and following instructional signs while you’re out and about in our state.

Travel Like a Local

legacy_tip_road_trip_309526

Breathtaking! AHRA offers world-class whitewater boating, fishing, sightseeing, bicycling and hiking along 152 miles of the Arkansas River.  Below the towering peaks of the Saguache and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, we have 101 campsites at 6 of the best riverside campgrounds in the valley.  Wildlife abounds, and there's no shortage of adventure to be found - from Fast Track trails to Wet and Wild raft trips to a lazy day fishing or sunning beside the water.  Get the information and maps you need at the AHRA Visitor Center in Salida.

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

A community center need only serve great pizza. We take pride in the freshness of our dough and veggies. Our dough was made today. It wasn't made in Topeka, frozen, shipped here, and warmed up. Ask who made it and he or she is probably in the kitchen.

Moonlight Pizza and Brewpub

The 4.7-mile Rainbow Trail is one of Salida's most popular and part of the Methodist Mountain Train system south of town.

Hike or Mountain Bike Little Rainbow Trail

Soulcraft Brewing is a production craft brewery with onsite food container, beer garden and tasting room with 16 taps located in Salida, Colorado.

Soulcraft Brewing

Come play your favorite classic arcade games as well as pool, shuffleboard, air hockey and so much more.

Fun Street Family Arcade

The Manhattan Hotel offers the only boutique hotel on the banks of the beautiful Arkansas River. Located in the heart of downtown Salida, you are steps away from delicious dining, local eclectic shopping, and Salida’s designated Art District.

The Manhattan Hotel

There is a location in the northern end of the county and another in the southern end, with good reason. Brown Dog has excellent breakfast burritos and a delightful cup of coffee!

Brown Dog Coffee

Arkansas-Riverside Salida was named one of Outside Magazine's Top 10 Best Small Towns in 2009, and since then it's become even better! Its friendly downtown is truly a creative district, packed with studios and galleries, locally focused eateries and shops, breweries, distilleries and more - all of which make beautiful and creative use of the town's Victorian-era buildings. Long appreciated by rafters, mountain-bikers and fourteener climbers, Salida's reaching all kinds of new travelers these days.  
<a href="https://www.colorado.com/articles/salida-creative-district-art-adventure-colorado">Salida Creative District: Art With an Adventurous Side &gt;&gt;</a>

Salida Creative District

We serve fresh, organic and local produce and there is no doubt that you can taste the difference! Sit next to the river and sip on one of our house-engineered specialty cocktails or try a local wine.

Boathouse Cantina

S Mountain is one of the most convenient and most beautiful activities in town. Lying only a couple hundred yards within downtown, bikers and hikers can be on the trails in a matter of minutes.

Mountain Bike the S Mountain Trail System

Our menu is created with the highest quality ingredients. Custom-blended brisket burgers, turkey burgers, grilled chicken, fresh fish, salads and sandwiches. Everything is made in house with fresh, local ingredients.

50 Burger Shakes & Beer

Wood’s 
High Mountain Distillery offers hand-crafted distilled spirits made from local ingredients and pure 
mountain water. Tastings, tours and and an extensive cocktail menu are available in our tasting room. We are kid and dog friendly and are open daily.

Wood's High Mountain Distillery

Best rates/AAA 2 Diamonds. Pets stay free! Singles to condos. High-speed. Spa. HBO. Closest motel to heart of Salida. Locally owned. Take virtual tour to see rooms/guests' comments

Woodland Motel

Burritos, bowls, tacos, salads, nachos, quesadillas and much more, with tasty extras like spice-ranch pickled onions, handmade salsa and more.

Mo Burrito

Welcome aboard to your next rafting adventure! <a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/">Independent Whitewater</a> is a family-owned and local company ideally located in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley. We've been hosting adventures on the Arkansas River – the most popular river rafting in the country – for over 40 years thanks to our tight-knit team of experienced and friendly guides. With our exclusive use of <a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/about/">private river access</a>, we're proud to offer the longest trips for the best possible price. Together, our mission is simple: to offer more smiles and more miles! 
Book your adventure today and see why we're the #1 Rated Rafting Outfitter in the region by <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g33630-d1873723-Reviews-Independent_Whitewater-Salida_Chaffee_County_Colorado.html">Tripadvisor</a>.
More to Checkout:
<a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/rafting-trips/">Featured Trips</a>
<a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/drift-in/">Drift-In Bar &amp; Grille</a>
<a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/groups-and-private-events/">Private Tours &amp; Weddings</a>
<a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/other-adventures/ducky-adventures/">Inflatable Kayak Rentals</a>
<a href="https://www.independentrafting.com/about/">The Independent Difference</a>

Independent Whitewater

Currents is the place to be for steak and seafood. We offer something for every budget and taste; from steak and crab cakes to fried chicken and fresh seafood specials. Stop in and try some mussels or beer nuggets and have a beer! We have Open Mic night every Wednesday night starting at 9pm and live music several nights of the week. We offer a great selection of beers &amp; Colorado Spirits.

Currents Restaurant

Travel to the high mountain lakes or traverse passes high above timberline. Step back in history to the remote mining camps of the 1800s. Rumble over narrow gauge railroad beds converted to 4x4 roads. Explore the first narrow gauge railroad tunnel through the continental divide. Visit ghost towns straight out of the Wild West. Have a blast with your family and friends in the mountains!

Rocky Mountain Jeep Rentals

Atmosphere and good eats. Nothing more to say, except the view of the river will keep you coming back!

High Side Bar & Grill

Our Colorado wines are crafted in small batches from Colorado grapes and local honey. Tours and tastings are always available.

Vino Salida

Pet friendly hotel in beautiful Salida, Colorado. Ranked #1 in Travelocity hotel reviews.