During your Colorado vacation, enjoy comfortable and affordable lodging at the Woodland Motel in Salida, CO. Most activities can be done here in the Upper Arkansas River Valley year round because of the mild winters and little snowfall in the winter. As the snow high up in the mountains starts to melt and everything starts to green out, Spring is beautiful. The most popular Spring Activities are:

Fly-Fish or spin-cast for German Browns on the Arkansas River or in small nearby lakes. Fishing is open all year around but the Caddis Fly Hatch in April & May must be the highlight. More info.

Mountain biking on hundreds of miles of trails, old mining and logging roads from our local 7,000 feet elevation up to 9,000 feet (higher than that you will run into snow until summer). More info.

Hiking on the Colorado Trail that winds along the Continental Divide from Durango to Denver, the Rainbow Trail that follows the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range southeast or the Salida Trail System in Salida that goes along the Arkansas River and several small lakes. Higher elevations of the Colorado Trail and Rainbow Trail will have snow until Summer. For more info visit the US Forest Service.

Whitewater raft and kayak on some of the most incredibly scenic and exciting Class 1-4 on the Arkansas River. The best rafting is usually from the middle of May to the middle of August depending on water level. Peak run-off is usually around the middle of June. We highly recommend the half-day trip through Browns Canyon. We have rafted and kayaked it and it is one of the best half-day trips anywhere in the US. We are located just 7 blocks from the Salida Kayak Whitewater Park. For more rafting info visit www.whitewaterencounters.com and Canyon Marine Whitewater. More kayaking info.

Cross-country ski and snowshoe over Old Monarch Pass, Co. Just 25 minutes west of here and after a gradual slope, stand on top of the Continental Divide and look into the Gunnison Valley

The Salida Golf Course is just 3 minutes from the Woodland Motel. Your drives will go farther at 7,000 ft and the views are breathtaking. -more info- www.golfcolorado.com/display.php?courseid=208

Downtown Salida, just 7 blocks down the street, is known for its great Art Galleries, Antique Shops and unique Jewelry Boutiques and excellent restaurants. There is also a fabulous Skateboard Park. The KayakWhitewater Park, River Walk, Outdoor Sculpture Garden, local community theater, the Steam Plant and Bongo Billy’s Salida Café with live entertainment are all located on the banks of the Arkansas River.

Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center just 5 minutes from the Woodland Motel. The water is totally odorless, hot and piped in from Poncha Springs. Lots of activities for all ages. Half price tickets.

Ride ATVs onguided tours oron your own through incredible scenery. All abilities. More info.

Rock-hounding – Search for Apache tears and garnets at Ruby Mountain, visit old mine sites, hunt for arrowheads, pan for gold.

Within one hour the following side trips are very popular:

Royal Gorge Park – World’s Highest Suspension Bridge, gondola, incline train, miniature train, deer herd, theme park.

Train ride through the Royal Gorge – Breathtaking and historic. Definitely worth it!

These last three are south of us and quite close together:

Great Sand Dune National Monument – Climb dunes like the Sahara Desert.

Alligator Farm –Visit all kinds of reptiles and huge alligators raised in thermal springs.

Joyful Journey Hot Springs – Soak in outdoor pools protected by windscreens, great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, very clean. Discounts.