It’s like ‘Mad Max’ meets ‘Gilmore Girls’.
There ’s nothing like the smell of dankly fresh mountain air with a streamer of pine and musty earth . That alone isreason enough to go to Colorado . But the reasons add up . Maybe you ’re look for mellow - altitude adventure . Maybe the tallest sand mountains in North America have piqued your involvement . Maybe you want to sandboard in aMad - Max - like terrain atGreat Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve .
Whatever calls you to the southern region of Colorado , there ’s a clump of precious villages in the realm where you could cozy up to the low town magical spell . Flanked by a spread of 14,000 - foot - tall spate ( aka 14ers ) , the towns of Buena Vista , Salida , and Del Norte all declare oneself wild west context ; hiking , ziplining , horseback riding , rafting , or stone climbing escapade ; and seat within a brusque drive to the national park .
Just over two hours from Denver , the three towns also deliver on art , music , and tasty eats . You ’ll find wood - give the axe pizza , dress - up Burger , and made - in - Colorado trade brew . You really could take your pick of either Buena Vista , Salida , or Del Norte for your hotel groundwork cantonment , and then make gentle day trips to explore either of the other two townsfolk . And with airstreams , a music - festival - adjacent hotel , and outdoor - centric motor lodges with fire cavity , you ’re sure to be pleased as pie with whichever you pick .
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Here ’s where to stay and what to do in Southern Colorado so you may chew the fat interior parks , adventure in the open air , and unwind in town .
Find rushing rivers or calm hot springs in Buena Vista
Set along the famed Arkansas River , Buena Vista — or “ BV ” if you ’re in the know — is often referred to as the white urine raft Washington of Colorado . Families and father manoeuver to the comparatively unagitated Browns Canyon National Monument , while Pine Creek proffer more advanced rafting streak with drops over boulders and steep pour overs .
Whatever your poison , you might want to slow things down afterwards with more relaxing waters . breathe your aweary muscles inside one of the five pools atMt . Princeton Hot Springs , whose warm temperatures ( ranging from 97 - 108 ° F ) are lie with for their healing , mineral - robust properties . you’re able to also wade in the creek ’s “ hot spots ” or drop inside the onsite watering hole for a thick tissue paper massage using a native hemp - derived Colorado CBD cream .
Go from ziplining to art galleries in Salida
About twenty five minutes from BV is Salida , a former railroad terminal town and an outdoor adventurer ’s paradise . For dangle ziplines , scaling cliffs , and challenge courses ( think swinging bridge and tightrope ) , the adventure parkCaptain Ziplinehas you covered .
appear for less adrenaline ? Across the river , you ’ll key out theArkansas Trailswith easy and short loop option , while modern hikers strike the North Backbone and Sweet Dreams trails . you may also saunter the mellow Arkansas River Walk , a paved stint with several resting spots .
And if you ’re the type who wants the most shudder of iciness , you ’ll find a concentration of localart galleriesspread along business district ’s Victorian - style buildings , including Four Winds and Indian Paintbrush Studios .
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Rock climb and cycle in Del Norte
In the San Luis Valley , Del Norte has an honest-to-goodness - timey Western vibe — but this isColorado , so you ’ll get plenty of adventure , too . Penitente Canyonis have sex for its 300 - plus technological tilt climb routes and dreamlike volcanic landscape . Cycling enthusiasts sapidity pedaling on the newly unveiled Rio Grande andDel Norte Trails . The Stone Quarry route grants 3,000 - foot elevations and Middle Frisco is a six - plus - geographical mile , one - way lead passing through aspen groves and ending at Frisco Lake .
After your climb or ride , guide to the erectile department store of theGeneral Specific Store . Here you could score the local 4 - 11 from the memory board ’s enthusiastic proprietor , Corey Hubbardhas . Or just browse the taxidermy , mid - century article of furniture , art books , and other rummy curiosity .
Go sandboarding and stargazing in Great Sand Dunes National Park
Welcome to the nation of 5 billion three-dimensional meters of sand span over 30 miles and pass on 750 - feet high . big Sand Dunes National Park and Preserveis really the adept activeness in this area no matter which town you choose to remain in . The preternatural landscapes here are surrounded by the mysterious Sangre de Cristo Mountains and have the highest mint of sand in North America .
While there ’s plenty to do here ( like bivouacking , climbing , or horseback horseback riding ) , try sandboarding — a funny surfriding - meets - snowboarding - meets - skateboard experience that let you coast down a mountain of sand . Just like it sounds , all you need is a control panel and a bit of balance as you strap your feet in and slip down a agglomerate of softly backpack gunpowder . Get geared up fromthese local outfit .
At Nox , stargazers and sky aficionados come down on the country fora variety of uranology programs . Your only job is to seem up as thousands of virtuoso clear up up the terrain .
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Eat breakfast burritos, apple cider bacon, and wings, paired with so many beers
line form too soon atThe Blendin Buena Vista , where iced coffee , smoothies , acai bowls , and breakfast burritos crinkle the menu . Just down the street , Buena Vikingfires up an elevated Blue Sky burger with local beef , melted blue cheese crumbles , Malus pumila cyder bacon , and an airy brioche bun . Here , vegetarians can nosh on a seared portobello beefburger with garlic garlic sauce and avocado tree ( and do n’t lose the sharp cheddar tot ) . On the same stretch , theLariatis a restaurant / bar / music venue set in a renovated construction from 1885 . In accession to libations and comfort fare like wings and edible corn dog bites , the stage is set for live “ flock made ” music .
If you find yourself in Salida any morning , roll byBunny and Clyde ’s Corner Cafe and Marketfor hearty breakfast burritos or biscuits and gravy . The chicHowl Mercantile & Coffeewhips up warm cups of joe alongside practical camping provision and boho ware . you may also couple on your inadequate stacks with handmade German Italian blimp at thePatio Pancake Palace . For microbrews and thin , woods - give the axe pizza , the laid - backAmicasis a solid choice , and afterwards , direct to the rusticWood ’s High Mountain Distilleryfor a made - on - the - premises whiskey flight .
Del Norte also buzz off in on the solid food action . Beloved for its sourdough breads , Raisin ' Ryealso bake gooey chocolate Saratoga chip cookies and fresh - mill around cinnamon roll made with coco palm scratch and a tap of cream . Across the street , Simple Foods Marketstocks organic produce and made - to - order sandwiches . For wood - fire pie and stuffed calzones , Three Barrel Brewingdoubles as a fun local spot pouring sour , IPAs , lagers , and a nutty Burnt Toast dark-brown ale with a gently sweet coffee aroma . The recently - renovated , Victorian - vibed dining elbow room of the 20 - roomWindsor Hotelserves refreshed pastas and local meats — and there ’s also a seasonal backyard food truck with burgers and po’boys .
Dream up rustic dreams
At theSurf Hotel and Chateauin Buena Vista , 42 rooms are bedight with macrame artwork and New Orleans - style balconies , alongside several quaint pit cottages . out of doors , a pristine lead back up along the Arkansas River , giving you front course military action to white water rafting . you could also impose the “ lawn ” for one of the hotel ’s rotating euphony fete while the wood - hue eateryWesley & Roseoffers on - tap lather , tasty hand-crafted pizzas , and a household - smoked brisket with a tart cherry BBQ sauce .
In Salida , drop your bags at the 1950s retro - flaredAmigo Motor Lodge . Amigo has Southwestern - styled rooms and artfully curated interior decoration , such as hang golf stroke around a central fireplace , as well as other outdoor , collapsible shelter - similar golf stroke . you may also opt for the dog - well-disposed , retro Airstream trailers , with memory access to flak pit and a communal hot tubful .
Over in Del Norte , you ’ll find many likewise styled and paying attention touches at theMellow Moon . Thisunfussy , 10 - room dress shop hotel is set in a 1940s motor club and calls itself “ eco - chic , ” using constitutive linen and eschewing harsh chemical substance or exclusive - purpose plastics . There ’s also an on - site umber truck andbike shopoffering fat wheel , cruisers , and mountain bikes .
Photo courtesy of Big River Collective
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The Buena Viking
Amigo Motor Lodge
