About Salida Colorado

About Salida, Colorado

Historic Downtown Salida and "S" Mountain

The fun mountain town of Salida, Colorado was founded as a railroad town on the banks of the Arkansas River where the Collegiate Peaks and Sangre de Cristo Mountains meet.  It’s a mountain playground known as “The Heart of the Rockies” and the county has more peaks over 14,000 feet than any other county in the continental United States.

Salida sits at 7,200 feet and enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year.  It’s a real town full of working people, artists and families.  Nearly everyone is an adventure junkie and pursues some form of adventure with a passion.  Mountains are our life and we explore them on foot, bikes and skis, with friends, kids, dogs or solo.

Trails crisscross these mountains, creating a thousand options for mountain bikers and hikers.  People know all about the big peaks, but fewer know that Salida is also the crossroads of some of the most incredible singletrack trails in the United States.  The Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route all pass through or near town.  If you rode every day all summer long, it would take you years to ride all the trails in the valley.

On the days you’re not on the trail, Salida offers some other great activities. For adventure seekers, the Arkansas River has some of the best whitewater in America and kayakers love our whitewater kayak park right in downtown Salida.  The Arkansas River is also a favorite river of Colorado fly fishermen.  Riverside Park in downtown is a great spot for a picnic and a new rock climbing wall in the park gives the kids something to do.

Head over heels in the Whitewater Park

Bikes and the City of Salida has also recently opened a new bike pump track for kids and adults near the downtown baseball fields.  Entry to everything is free of course.

If you just want to relax, check out the many local art galleries and cafes.  The galleries offer everything from pottery to photography to wild Bungled Jungle Monsters.

ABA mountain bike guide Nathan Ward owns and runs the Earth & People Photography and Folk Art Gallery just a couple of blocks from Absolute Bikes.  He exhibits his images from around the world and sells products to support poverty alleviation programs.  Check his photographs out here www.NathanWard.com.

Starting in mid-June, Salida hosts an excellent farmers market every Saturday morning in Alpine Park, between 4th and 5th on F Street.  Check it out to find organic local produce, food and great art.   www.ccfa.coop

To learn more about the activities and programs available in Salida, pick up a Summer Fun Guide or Colorado Visitor’s Guide, both available for free at the Absolute Bikes shop.

Salida supports many local art galleries - Lovell Gallery.

Here are a few Absolute Bikes Adventures favorites.  Many more excellent are available and you can find details on the Salida Chamber website, www.SalidaChamber.org or 1-877-772-5432 or through the Chaffee Country Visitors Bureau,  www.coloradoheadwaters.com.

Places to Stay

Hostel

Simple Lodge and Hostel of Salida – this cool hostel is right downtown and affordable too.  719-650-7381,  www.simplelodge.com.

Hotels

Woodland Motel – Locally-owned and located just a few blocks from Absolute Bikes, this is a long time favorite hotel for visitors to the area.  719-539-4980, www.woodlandmotel.com.

Super 8 Salida – Locally-owned and nice.  On US 50, about 15 blocks from downtown.  719-539-6689, www.salidasuper8.com.

Vacation Rentals

Want to stay in a house and not a hotel room, check out Pinon Real Estate Vacation Rentals for a wide selection of nice vacation rental houses.  719-539-1921, www.pinonvacationrentals.com.

Bed and Breakfasts

Tudor Rose – located just a couple miles out of town and the owners support cyclists.  800-379-0889,  www.thetudorrose.com.

The Thomas House – located right downtown and gets good reviews.  888-228-1410,  www.thomashouse.com.

View from the downtown Arkansas River bridge

Camping

Salida East – Located just a couple of miles east of Salida on Highway 50, this recently improved campground and boat launch is right on the banks of the Arkansas River.

Arkansas River Road – Drive east of Salida on US 50 about 4 miles.  Cross the bridge at Wellsville and follow the country road that parallels the Arkansas River (on the north side).  After a couple of miles, you’ll come across some primitive but free campsites right on the river.  It’s a nice spot!

Restaurants

Salida Café and Roastery – Right next to Absolute Bikes.  Great coffee, food and weekend music acts.  719-539-4261,  www.salidacafe.com, 300 W. Sackett St.

Amicas – Excellent Pizza, Pasta and Local Microbrews.  Amica’s is also a major sponsor of South Central Racing, a locally-based road bicycle racing team.  719-539-5219,  www.amicassalida.typepad.com, 136 E. 2nd St.

Laughing Ladies – Beautiful food and great Sunday Brunch.  719-539-6209,   www.laughingladiesrestaurant.com, 128 W. 1st St.

Moonlight Pizza – The fattest pizza in town.  They deliver.  Pizza and beer.  719-539-4277, www.moonlightpizza.biz, Corner of 3rd and F Streets Downtown.

Art Galleries

There are many galleries in downtown Salida along 1st Street and Lower F Street.

Earth & People Photography and Folk Art Gallery – amazing world photography and folk art to support poverty alleviation. 106 N. F Street, 719-221-1731  www.NathanWard.com

Art Matters – A fantastic coop gallery of many local artists.  719-539-2383,  www.artmatters-gallery.com.

Bungled Jungle – The craziest wildest monsters you’ll find in Colorado. www.bungledjungle.com

Outdoor Shops

Salida Mountain Sports – the local’s choice.  Hard goods, clothes, guidebooks, maps.  719-539-4400, www.salidamountainsports.com.

Headwaters Outdoor Lifestyles – Nice clothes from North Face, Patagonia, Prana.

Swimming Pool

Salida Hot Springs Pool – great for laps or kids. 719-539-6738, www.salidapool.com.

Whitewater Rafting Companies

There are many excellent rafting companies that offer a full range of half and full day whitewater or float options.  Contact the Chamber of Commerce for recommendations.

Fly Fishing Companies

Angler’s Junction – Guided wade and float fly fishing trips.  719-530-2100,  www.anglersjunctionfishing.com.

Ark Anglers – Guided wade and float fly fishing trips. 719-539-4223,  www.arkanglers.com.

Liquor Store

Arlie Dale’s Jug Liquors – The owner is a mountain biker.  719-539-0111, 220 N. F Street, Downtown.

Pubs and Pub Grub

Bensons Tavern and Beer Garden – Drinks, outside seating, bike racks, pub food, sports bar.  719-539-9391, 128 N. F Street

Victoria Tavern – Drink here and you never know what will happen.  Free peanuts.  Located downtown.  Ask anyone where it is.  Go there.  719-539-9003, 147 N. F Street

The Boathouse Cantina – Pub food and drinks in an open air setting right above the Arkansas River.  Located at the end of the F Street.  719-539-5004,  www.boathousecantina.com

Salida Mountain Trails – check out our new trail system at the north end of F Street (the main downtown street). www.SalidaMountainTrails.org

Salida Pump Track – check out our new Bike Pump Track next to the downtown baseball fields on west 1st Street.  The entrance is on the west side of the baseball parking lots.