Things To Do
Hiking
Nestled in this valley, you're surrounded by some of the tallest mountains in the state (many of which Ariella and Ryan have hiked)! For a relaxing stroll through town, we'd recommend the Arkansas River Trail or Barbara Whipple Trail. For a moderate hike to an alpine lake, try Lost Lake near Buena Vista. For a challenging, 6-mile hike, check out Ptarmigan Lake Trail. Or, drive up Highway 306 for a true mountain experience atop Cottonwood Pass. You can hike a few miles in Ariella's footsteps on the Colorado Trail for stunning views of the Collegiate Peaks.
Cafes & Restaurants
In between our mountain climbing endeavors, we've frequently stopped in Buena Vista and Salida to refuel for the next adventure. Here are some of our favorites! Bunny and Clyde's Cafe in Salida makes a mean breakfast burrito and has a great, cozy cafe vibe. Ariella & Ryan also love a latte and sweet treat from the Brown Dog Coffee Company in Buena Vista. The Buena Viking in downtown Buena Vista has delicious American/brewery food, and the Terrace on Main does happy hour on a rooftop bar. If staying in lodging with kitchens, we also recommend picking up groceries from Buena Vista, which has a full-sized grocery store.
Rafting the Arkansas River
This area of Colorado is known for some of the best rafting in the state, as Ryan has experienced! There are tons of companies offering trips ranging from whitewater to scenic floats — whatever floats your boat. We recommend checking out guided rafting trips in Buena Vista or the nearby town of Salida.
Visit St. Elmo Ghost Town
Just down the road from our venue, St. Elmo is one of the most well preserved mining ghost towns in Colorado, founded in 1880. Tour old mining roads and shops on foot, or with guided ATV or horseback tours.
Other Activities
Our venue, Deer Valley Ranch, offers horseback riding tours. In Nathrop, nearby Mount Princeton Hot Springs boasts geothermic pools along Chalk Creek with a view of a 14,000-foot peak Ryan and Ariella have climbed together. The Comanche Drive-In Theatre is one of 8 drive-ins left in Colorado and shows films on weekends. It's right outside of town on Highway 306 and is the highest drive-in theater in the country.