Summer is a great season season to visit Colorado. The Woodland Motel is located in Salida, CO in a high altitude desert and as such wereceive little rain. Brief afternoon showers are common. At 7,000 feet, the days are very comfortable and the nights cool down into the 40s for great sleeping. The most popular Summer Activities are:

Whitewater raft and kayak on some of the most incredibly scenic and exciting Class 1-4 on the Arkansas River. We highly recommend the half-day trip through Browns Canyon. We have rafted and kayaked it and it is one of the most accessible, exciting 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.

Mountain bike on hundreds of miles of trails, old mining and logging roads from our local 7,000 feet elevation up to 12,000 feet as you tour the top of the Continental Divide between Monarch and Marshall Passes).– more info- www.absolutebikes.com

Horseback riding high up in the Colorado Rockies. Ride by old mines, incredible scenery and wonderful horses and guides. We recommend at least the 3-hour ride. More info – www.highcountrytrails.com

Explore Ghost Towns including St. Elmo, Co.,  the best preserved ghost town in Colorado- Free

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

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

Climb Mountains (Non-technical climbing just steep hiking). Scores of mountain trails including those going to the summits of 14,000 ft peaks: Mt Shavano, Mt Ouray, Mt Antero, Mt Princeton, Mt Harvard. Make sure you start at the crack of dawn of avoid possible afternoon thundershowers.

Fly-fish or spin-cast for German Browns on the Arkansas River or in small nearby lakes and for Rainbow Trout in high mountain lakes. Fishing is open all year around. Guided float trips and instruction. More info.

Hike 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. For more info visit the US Forest Service.

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 Kayak Whitewater 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 is 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.

Rent a Jeep, bring your own or take a jeep tour and explore 100s of miles of old mining and logging roads. Visit ghost towns. From novice to expert. More info.

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

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.