Sophia May
Hiking In Buena Vista Colorado – You are here: Home / Continents / North America / Things to do in Buena Vista Colorado – Hot Springs and Hiking in Buena Vista
The town of Buena Vista, Colorado, or “BV” as the locals call it, is the place to go if you’re an adventure seeker. This small town in central Colorado is located in Chaffee County and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. No matter what time of year you visit, Buena Vista never runs out of things to do.
Hiking In Buena Vista Colorado
It is located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, 2 hours from Aspen, Breckenridge, Denver and Colorado Springs. Mount Elbert, a 14,440-foot peak in Colorado, is just a 1-hour drive from the city of Buena Vista.
Colorado Day Hikes: Kroenke Lake Trail
The reason we stopped in Buena Vista in the first place was to install our solar system on our Class A motorhome. We had no plans to visit the area, but we absolutely fell in love! There are endless outdoor activities, great drinks, Mexican food, off-roading, hiking and more.
Buena Vista offers a variety of hiking trails for you and your family, from beginner trails to advanced trails for more experienced hikers. One thing to keep in mind when hiking in Buena Vista is the elevation. It may seem like you’re suffocating faster than you’re used to (speaking from experience). However, start with a few short hikes to get used to the altitude before attempting a 12-mile hike or climbing a 14er.
Probably the best “starter” hike in Buena Vista to get used to the altitude and heat if you’re visiting in the summer. It’s about 1500 feet but doesn’t go over 10,000 feet, which is good for a beginner. First, we didn’t go to Colorado for the 14,000 foot climb, which was a mistake. This hike is outside of BV and has views of the city from the top of the hike.
4.65 miles of absolutely scenic hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain each way. The hike may seem daunting, but it’s not that difficult up here. The views from the top are amazing and the lake is worth it. If you have time, consider climbing the birthday peak on the same day or another!
Hike And Town: Twin Lakes Interlaken And Buena Vista
Many locals consider it the easiest 14er in the area at just 7 miles and 4,500 feet of elevation gain. The hike starts at about 9,600 feet and ends at 14,144. “Great” we did our first hike in Buena Vista and quickly regretted it. After hiking and gasping for air for the first 3/4 of the turns, we were already talking back to back. We had only been in Colorado for a few days and didn’t know how hard it was to breathe. Finally after about 2.5 kilometers our speed was so low that we had to turn around. It was dark even when we got up.
With tons of lakes and rapids nearby, Buena Vista is a great place to get out on the water. Don’t worry if you don’t have your own SUP or kayak! You can rent a few places for the day in Buena Vista or Salida that won’t get you lost.
Great spots include Buena Vista River Park, Twin Lakes, and Cottonwood Lake. They are all about 30 minutes from BV.
The locals warned us that it is a “tourist lake” where people visit. Don’t turn it off for good reason, this lake is beautiful. It is west of BV on Route 306 in the mountains. There is also fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking trails and off-road driving. Get here before summer arrives and you won’t find a parking spot!
Three Days Of Adventures In Buena Vista, Colorado With Rmoc
Both are about 30 minutes north of Buena Vista and are larger than Cottonwood Lake. Twin Lakes offers a stunning mountain backdrop as it sits along Route 82 Mountain Pass. Both places have very calm waters and lots of beaches to hang out and relax. Clear Creek has its own free campground directly behind it if you want to spend the weekend or longer.
One of the most relaxing things to do in Buena Vista is to visit the local hot springs. Cottonwood Hot Springs We visited a couple of different options. It is 8.5 miles from BV and is attached to a small motel. They claim that this hot spring has pure mineral water that is used for its medicinal and therapeutic value. It costs $20 for adults and $18 for children under 16.
All hot springs vary in temperature somewhat, and we expect them to heat up or cool down every 20 minutes or so. There are also showers and lockers for your stuff!
Buena Vista is an amazing climbing destination. If you have no experience, you can do it alone or with a guide. According to the visitor center, the best places to climb are Bob’s Rock, Davis Face, Most of the Tunnel, Transmitter Tower, Elephant Rock, Turtle Rock and the Buena Vista Boulder Garden.
Buena Vista Colorado Hiking Elopement
One of our favorite parts of Buena Vista is all the off-road trails it has to offer. You can spend the whole day exploring the mountains by jeep or UTV. Stop at one of the local ATV rental locations and they will give you a map of all the routes. Trails are open year-round, from easy off-road trails to 4×4 rock crawling.
Our favorite route was San Elmo to Tincup Pass. It is a 12 mile trail with little traffic that is rated as moderate-difficult. It all depends on the off-road machine you have. If you have a Jeep, it’s a little more difficult in some places than if you have a dirt bike or UTV.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas when attempting this route or any off-road route as there are no gas stations near Tincup. Our favorite place in Buena Vista was off-road, and there were trails everywhere!
As you enter Buena Vista, you begin to see White Water Adventures signs and businesses everywhere. The Arkansas River in Colorado is one of the most popular rafting destinations in Colorado. There are some quieter sections where people row and row.
Our Guide To The Perfect Weekend Getaway In Buena Vista And Salida
If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can go kayaking instead of rafting. It’s obviously more dangerous, but you’d be surprised how many people do it. Outside the city, we saw people “surfing” the waves that formed naturally on the rocks of the river.
If you are planning a trip to Buena Vista in the winter, skiing is a very popular winter sport. The San Isabel National Forest has miles of trails. You can go downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing! If you don’t have ski gear or want to test your own gear before you buy. You can rent gear at the trailhead for $10-$45 per day, depending on what gear you need.
Camping is very popular in Colorado, and there are many options around Buena Vista. Whether you’re looking for free space or a family campsite, BV has it all. As you drive through town, you’ll pass Mount Princeton RV Park, Snowy Peaks RV Park, and Arrowhead Point to the north with electrical hookups, sewer, water, showers, laundry, and more.
We spent two weeks at Arrowhead Point Camping Resort while our solar system was installed. We stayed in the farthest corner of the resort, which gave us plenty of space compared to a regular campsite. If you’re looking for a free campsite, you’ll have to go a few miles outside of town, as there are plenty of places to camp. Midland Hill Scattered Camping and Elephant Rock are great campsites near BV.
Hiking In Buena Vista And Salida
If you want to experience western Colorado, horseback riding is a must. Horseback riding is one of the best ways to explore the mountains. Mount Princeton has tours throughout the year and offers two different tours. The half-day tour can pass through sage and cactus, through meadows, and past streams and trout ponds. If possible, choose a full-day tour that takes you on the same route but takes you further into the mountains and ends the tour at a waterfall.
If you are adventurous, good view
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