The town of Salida is the county seat for Chaffee County in Colorado and has a population of 5,666 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. Salida translates into "exit" in Spanish, and the town was named due to its proximity to where the Arkansas River exits the valley into Bighorn Sheep Canyon as it flows toward the Royal Gorge.
With the Arkansas River in town, and forests surrounding it, there are plenty of outdoor activities. You will find angling opportunities all along the river. Kayaking and white water rafting are big here, and you can find guided trips taking half or full days that let you take on Class Two through Class Five rapids. The Monarch Scenic tram takes about an hour and is a great way to get impressive views of the region. You can also visit the nearby Monarch Ski and Snowboard area during the winter.
Salida offers several locales you can shop and explore, including fine art establishments. You'll find multi-medium items in the Green Cat and oil scenes from nature showcased at The Michael Clark Gallery. You might find that perfect buy at Old Log Cabin Antiques, or you can visit the Salida Museum if you'd like to learn more about the local history of the area and the local indigenous Ute culture.
If you need something to eat after driving all day in the RV, Moonlight Pizza & Brew Pub might hit the spot. Fiesta Mexicana and Quincys Steak & Spirits are also popular establishments. Soulcraft Brewing off Rainbow Blvd. also gets good reviews from patrons wanting lunch or dinner with a friendly pub atmosphere.
Campgrounds Near Salida, Colorado
The Pleasant Valley RV Park is 14 miles east of Salida, in the nearby town of Howard. There are 55 back-in or pull-through sites with full RV hookups, 30- or 50-amp power, laundry facilities, showers, Wi-Fi, and some cell reception. You and your pets can stay here for $40 per night.
Nearby Prospectors RV Resort is 50 miles east down US Route 50, in Cañon City. It has 89 back-in or pull-through sites starting at $40 daily with full RV hookups and either 30 or 50-amp power. Other amenities you will find here include a camp store, cell reception, and Wi-Fi.
Another excellent Cañon City RV campground is the Mountain View RV Resort. The 40 back-in or pull-through sites at this facility start at $47 per night. You will find full RV hookups, 30- and 50-amp power, showers, a playground, strong cell reception, and a camp store in a pet-friendly environment an hour away from Salida.
State Parks Near Salida, Colorado
Eleven Mile State Park is 71 miles northeast of Salida. This reservoir covers 7,622 acres and is one of the state's largest human-made lakes. Summer offers the best conditions for visiting, but storms can move in quickly, and it is often breezy here. You will have access to 325 campsites, with the Rocky Ridge campground offering electrical hookups. The wind at the park makes it a good place for sailing and sailboarding, and anglers love to fish for trout and northern pike. There are miles of trails here you can bike or hike, and wildlife viewing is also popular in the area.
A 76-mile road trip to the south will place you at San Luis State Park. It covers 580 acres, with San Luis Lake being the feature attraction. Boating, fishing, swimming, and other water activities are popular, but you can also explore the many hiking trails in the area. The weather is considered mild here, but it gets cold during winter. There are 51 campsites here that provide electrical hookups, a weather shelter, a fire pit, and a grill. There is an on-site dump station, and camping here is free.
Trinidad Lake State Park is 150 miles southeast of Salida, west of Trinidad, and north of the New Mexico border. The lake draws in anglers and is stocked with 50,000 trout each year. Other water sports to enjoy during your visit include boating, jet skiing, sailing, and windsurfing. Waterfowl and other avian species make birding popular here, and you can explore nine miles of trails on your bike or by foot. Summer is the most popular time to visit Trinidad Lake State Park. There are 73 RV campsites here with electricity and access to the dump station. Some spaces have full RV hookups.
National Sites Near Salida, Colorado
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument sits 82 miles northeast of Salida, west of Manitou Springs. The fossil beds house over 1,700 different species, including giant 14-foot-wide petrified Sequoias. Most of its fossils are impressions of insects and plants, and the monument can keep you busy for half the day. Start with the visitor center film, help in the fossil lab, and talk to rangers. You can then head out on the Ponderosa and Petrified Forest loops, both short and easy-rated.
Curecanti National Recreation Area is 80 miles west of Salida, showcasing volcanic cliffs as a backdrop for glistening bodies of water. It is a popular water location with three reservoirs on the Gunnison River. Visitors enjoy water sports on Blue Mesa Reservoir, while canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are popular on Crystal and Morrow Point reservoirs. Angling is a big draw, with a gold medal and wild trout water certification in parts of the Gunnison River here. Bird watching and hiking are also possible in the recreation area.
A 168-mile road trip east of Salida places you on the eastern plains and at Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site. The current structure resembles the original fort. Its Pueblo-style architecture helped to create the nickname "Castle of the Plains" used by traders, soldiers, and settlers alike. Take a self-guided tour after watching the documentary film, and then head out to explore the two nearby trails that let you explore the terrain in more detail. During the summer and fall, the area experiences an annual tarantula migration between Colorado and Oklahoma, offering a unique sightseeing opportunity once you finish at the fort.
National Forests Near Salida, Colorado
Gunnison National Forest sits west of Salida, covering nearly 1.7 million acres of terrain in the Rocky Mountains. There are plenty of trails to choose from if you want to go hiking or mountain biking. Other popular activities in the region include fishing, hunting, off-roading, skiing, and snowmobiling. The vast size of this forest means you can find nearby RV camping in several locations with varying amenities, including SkyhighColorado RV Park overlooking Taylor Reservoir, or enjoy dispersed camping in most places within the park for up to 14 days.
Salida is part of the ranger district connected to the Pike National Forest, which extends north of the Salida Ranger District. The forest is known for breathtaking views and is home to 23 of Colorado's 14,000-foot-plus mountain peaks. Biking, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and winter sports are popular here. You will find several roadways crossing the forest and nearly 250 trails to explore when you step outside the RV.
San Isabel National Forest sits southeast of Salida, offering visitors over 1.1 million acres of terrain to explore. One of the most enjoyable aspects of the forest is the 171 world-class trails you can bike or hike. Visitors like to identify and observe fauna and flora in the area, participate in geocaching, summit peaks, and fly fish in several streams. There is plenty of wildlife to watch here, like black bears, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mountain lions, and several bird species.
