Things To Do In Salida Co This Weekend

Salida has a sneaky way of making a weekend feel three times longer than it actually is. You show up planning to relax, and suddenly you're knee-deep in the Arkansas River, grinning like an idiot. That's just how this town operates.

Tucked into the Upper Arkansas Valley and ringed by the Collegiate Peaks, Salida packs a ridiculous amount of fun into a few square miles. Here's what's worth your time over the next couple of days.

Get Wet: The Arkansas River Is Right There

You literally cannot miss the river. It runs straight through downtown, which is either convenient or a hazard, depending on how many margaritas you've had.

Riverside Park sits right on the bank and makes a perfect launch spot for a lazy afternoon. Bring a picnic, claim a bench, and watch the kayakers paddle by. Some make it look easy. Most don't.

Want to actually get on the water? Several local outfitters run rafting trips and kayak rentals out of town. Even a short float will remind you that cold water is a personality trait.

Hike Up S Mountain (Your Legs Will Forgive You)

Tenderfoot Mountain — everyone calls it S Mountain — looms over town with a giant white "S" on its flank. The trail is short but steep, and it will humble you in the first ten minutes.

The payoff is a panoramic view of Salida, the river, and the peaks behind it. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds, and bring more water than you think you need.

For Serious Riders

Methodist Mountain and the surrounding networks offer miles of singletrack for mountain bikers. Local shops will happily point you toward routes that match your skill level, whether that's "confident" or "mildly terrified."

Wander Downtown and Spend Too Much Money

Salida's historic downtown is genuinely charming, and not in a fake, Disneyland sort of way. The buildings are old, the storefronts are independent, and the pace is slow enough to actually enjoy.

F Street is packed with galleries, boutiques, and gear shops that will convince you that you need a new jacket. You probably do. You definitely don't.

Why Salida is an RV family's paradise, per RV Trader

Stop into the Salida Creative District galleries and chat with the artists. Many of them are working right there in the space, which beats staring at a screen any day.

Coffee, Beer, and Other Essential Food Groups

Start your morning at one of the downtown coffee shops. Brown Dog Coffee will hook you up with a solid latte and a pastry the size of your head.

By afternoon, you'll want a brewery. Salida has no shortage of them, plus a couple more down the road in Poncha Springs. Soulcraft, Tres Litros, and Elevation Beer Co. are all worth a visit.

For dinner, pizza and a microbrew at Amicas is a local institution. The patio is prime people-watching real estate.

Soak, Float, or Just Sit There

The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is exactly what it sounds like, and it's glorious. It's the largest indoor hot springs facility in the country, fed by natural mineral water. Your sore hiking legs will send a thank-you note.

If you'd rather be outside, the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area has endless spots to fish, swim, or park a chair and do nothing. Doing nothing is a legitimate activity here. We checked.

Catch Some Live Music

The Salida SteamPlant Theater hosts concerts, films, and events all year. Check the schedule — there's usually something happening on a Saturday night.

Plenty of bars and breweries bring in local bands, too. Grab a pint, grab a seat, and let someone else do the entertaining for a change.

20 Amazing Things to do in Salida CO in 2024 + Local Tips

If You've Got Kids in Tow

The skate park, the river trail, and the playgrounds at Riverside Park will burn off energy fast. The Arkansas River Trail is paved and stroller-friendly, so everyone can come along.

Fair warning: your kids will want to stay longer than you planned. Negotiate with ice cream.

Sunday: Slow It Down

Sunday mornings here are made for lingering. Get a late breakfast, take one last walk along the river, and pretend you don't have a drive ahead of you.

If a farmers market or community event is happening downtown, wander through it. Small-town markets are undefeated when it comes to random, delightful finds.

Before you leave, find a bench facing the mountains and sit for five minutes. You've earned it, and Salida is really good at this part.

The Part Where We Send You Off Smiling

Here's the thing about Salida: it doesn't try too hard. It's a small mountain town with a big river, good food, cold beer, and trails that go on forever.

You'll come home dirty, a little sunburned, and weirdly relaxed. That's the deal. That's always the deal.

So pack a bag, grab a friend, and go. The mountains are already there, waiting — and honestly, they've been asking about you.