Things To Do
Mount Princeton Hot Springs
At Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort, you can soak in natural hot spring pools while enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Pools range in temperature from 70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to choose the perfect level of heat to unwind and relax.
Breweries & Spirit Producers
Take a tour of the valley’s breweries, spirit producers and premier winery. Some location ideas include Elevation Beer Company, Soulcraft Brewing Company, Vino Salida Wine Cellars, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery, Eddyline Brewery, Deerhammer Distilling Company and Moonlight Pizza & Brewpub.
Hiking
Colorado attracts hiking enthusiasts from around the world, drawn to the challenge of conquering its 14,000-foot peaks. In the Buena Vista and Salida area, experience the highest concentration of these majestic peaks in the lower United States. Surrounded by the Sawatch, Mosquito and Sangre de Cristo mountains, Chaffee County is a breathtaking place to get outdoors. Running some 100 miles, from south of Salida to north of Leadville, 15 of Colorado’s 58 14,000-foot peaks rise in the Sawatch. The range features four of the state’s five tallest peaks including Mount Elbert, at 14,440 feet the state’s highest and second only to California’s 14,505-foot Mount Whitney in the lower 48.
Fishing
Buena Vista is situated near Colorado’s most popular fishery, the Arkansas River, and the greatest concentration of creek fishing and high elevation lakes in the state. One could spend an entire season fishing from the area and never step in the same water twice. Mild winter days in the 40s and 50s make angling on the Arkansas River a year-round experience. Whether it’s late fall or mid-winter, anglers head to the Arkansas knowing that the sun will warm the water.
St. Elmo Ghost Town
About 40 minutes from Buena Vista, St. Elmo Colorado was officially founded in 1880. Gold and Silver Mining brought many people to the area. St. Elmo was considered a Hub town for supplies arriving by train but the tracks were abandoned in 1922. It is said that St. Elmo's Population rode the last train out of town and never came back.