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Continental Divide Trail Coalition

Town

Salida

Mountain Range

In Colorado’s scenic Arkansas River Valley, Salida sits east of the Collegiate Peaks in the Sawatch Range, and northwest of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, providing access to many of the state’s famed 14,000 foot peaks. Once a regional hub for mining and railroads, Salida today has a thriving outdoor recreation economy and attracts visitors from around the world. Salida is a resupply town for hikes on both the CDT and the Colorado Trail, as well as a top destination for mountain biking, fishing, and rafting the Arkansas River. The historic downtown boasts coffee shops, yoga studios, and craft breweries, and Salida offers two hostels for the budget traveler.

Town with mountain in the background
Salida Mountain Sports Building
Mountain Range
Town
Mountain Range

Getting There

The closest international airport to Salida is Denver International Airport (DIA), which is about 3 hours away via Highway 285. Colorado Springs also has a regional airport (COS) with flights from several large cities around the country. It is about 2 hours from Salida via CO-115 S and US-50 W. There are also regular bus services between Denver Union Station and Salida, operated by Bustang Outrider.

Getting Around

The Salida Chamber of Commerce has built an entire thruhiker webpage and offers free shuttle rides from Monarch Pass when available! Check out their comprehensive welcome guide for a list of resources in town!

The Heart of the Rockies

  1. Explore an Art Gallery

  2. Relax in the local Hot Springs

  3. Take in Browns Canyon National Monument

  4. Raft the Arkansas River

  5. Learn some history at the Salida Museum

  6. Ski down Monarch Mountain

  7. Take a Mountain Bike Ride

  8. Enjoy a fishing trip on Gold Metal Water

  9. Go on a Zipline Adventure

  10. Enjoy an event at the SteamPlant Event Center

Mountain Range
Featured Hike
view our hike suggestion database
Boss Lake Reservoir, San Isabel National Forest

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Length: 4.8 miles

  • Closest Town: Salida

  • Directions: From Salida, take US-50 W/W Rainbow Rd for 3.9 miles to Poncha Springs and turn right to continue onto US-50 W. Drive 12.8 miles and turn right onto Forest Rd (FR) 230. You will pass a snowmobile rental shop and find the trailhead parking just beyond that. It is possible to drive the first 1.5 miles up FR 230, however, a high clearance or off-road vehicle is highly recommended. Most hikers choose to start at the lower parking area.

  • Maps:

    USGS 7.5 Quadrangle: Garfield; CDTC Mapset: Map 157, Section CO19.

  • For More Information:

    San Isabel National Forest, Salida Ranger District: (719)-539-3591.

People hiking

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Thanks to our Salida Business Members for their support:

Getting to the Continental Divide Trail

The CDT travels through the Collegiate Peaks west of Salida, and is co-aligned with the Colorado Trail’s ‘Collegiate West’ route. The trail crosses multiple high alpine passes and spends dozens of miles at a time above timberline, overlooking alpine lakes and sweeping views of the majestic fourteeners. After traversing above Monarch Ski Area, the trail crosses Highway 50 at Monarch Pass. From Salida, take Highway 50 up to Monarch Pass and park in the far end of the Monarch Crest store lot (be sure to stop in for some fudge and ice cream). The CDT heading south is accessed from a well-marked trail near the base of the aerial tram building. To head northbound on the CDT, cross Highway 50, where the trail heads toward Marshall Pass, and then beyond into the rolling Cochetopa Hills. The trailhead is marked with a large sign.