Fall is a wonderful time! There are fewer visitors to the area, rates are lower, the weather is usually fantastic and when the aspen change to gold, the scenery is breathtaking. ESTIMATED TRAVEL TIME IS ONE-WAY. The most popular Fall Activities are:
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. 5 minutes to 5 hours. More info.
Horseback riding high up in the Colorado Rockies. Ride by old mines, incredible scenery spilleautomater vikings and wonderful horses and guides. We recommend at least the 3-hour ride.
Ranch headquarters at least 30 minutes away. http://www.coloradoheadwaters.com/Colorado-Horseback-Riding-&-Llama-Trekking/Buena-Vista-Salida-Horseback-Riding-&-Llama-Trekking-act13.html.
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). Also, explore the specially-made mountain bike trails on Tenderfoot Mountain (the mountain with the S on it you can see from the CherryCash motel. 10 minutes to 1 hour. more info- www.absolutebikes.com
Captain Zipline Tour – Fly on 8 different lines that zigzag across Lost Canyon for a total of 2,600+ feet. Learn the geology and history of the area and soak in the rugged beauty. It is fun and exciting and very smooth. Practice on the bunny line before going out over the canyon. Open year-round. Meeting for the tour is 7 blocks away and less than 10 minutes to the zipline site. Reservations recomended. www.captainzipline.com
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. 10 to 30 minutes. For more info visit the US Forest Service. You should check this astra theme.
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 to avoid possible afternoon thundershowers or early snow. 45 minutes and longer visit https://pariuricasino.ro. http://www.14ers.com/
Rock Climbing – Enjoy the many bouldering sites, rock climbing sites all with various degrees of difficulty.
For the beginner or advanced “crag” expert in you. Some above Buena Vista offers the best golden aspen views! http://www.coloradoheadwaters.com/Colorado-Rock-Ice-Climbing-&-Mountaineering/Buena-Vista-Salida-Rock-Ice-Climbing-&-Mountaineering-act45.html , http://www.rmoc.com/rock_climbing_school.php?section_ID=2
Rent a Jeep or bring your own and explore 100s of miles of old mining and logging roads. Visit ghost towns. From novice to expert. Great way to get up close to the Fall foliage. 10 minutes to. http://www.coloradoheadwaters.com/Colorado-Off-Roading-&-Jeep-Tours/Buena-Vista-Salida-Off-Roading-&-Jeep-Tours-act8.html
Explore Ghost Towns including St. Elmo, Co., the best-preserved ghost town in Colorado-Free. 45 minutes. http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/co/cochaffee.html
Ride ATVs on guided tours or on your own through incredible scenery. All abilities. 10 minutes to business. www.allseasonrentals.com
Rock-hounding – Search for Apache tears and garnets at Ruby Mountain, visit old mine sites, hunt for arrowheads, pan for gold. 45 minutes and longer. http://salida.com/salida-best-of/best-of-salida-rockhounding.html
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. http://salidagolfclub.com/
Hunt for mule deer and elk in the San Isabel National Forest. Most areas are open to everyone but some are limited to those who have successfully drawn in the lottery.
There are excellent hunting guides for both public and private land. 30 minutes and longer. http://www.sangres.com/stateco/chaffee.htm
Monarch Mountain Tram -Ride in 6-four passenger gondolas to 12, 012 feet at the top of the Continental Divide. You can see five different mountain ranges and as far away as 150 miles on a clear day. 45 minutes up Monarch Pass. 719-539-4091
Chaffee County Fish Hatchery and Rearing Unit – Just a short walk from the motel, you will find a multitude of fish spawning, growing and hatching down by the Arkansas River. You can feed the fish, learn and watch how it is done to stock our rivers, lakes and streams. Private tours, and groups welcome. 719-539-6877
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. http://www.salidaartists.com/
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. http://salidapool.com/
Mt. Princeton HotSprings Resort -Enjoy the 100-degree creek side soaking pool or swim in the 90-degree lap pool. Or let your inner child go down the 300-foot long water slide. 30 minutes North in Nathrop. http://www.mtprinceton.com/
Cottonwood HotSprings – Soak in Colorado’s purest, geothermal, gravity-fed mineral spas. Experience the rock-lined soaking pools, cold plunge, and sauna. 1 hour North in Buena Vista. http://www.cottonwood-hot-springs.com/hotsprings/
Weathervane Farms -Learn about a local farm co-op, meet the livestock babies, help pick some organic food from the vine and enjoy the farm atmosphere. 45 minutes North in Buena Vista. http://www.weathervanefarmbv.com/
Royal Gorge Park – World’s Highest Suspension Bridge, gondola, incline train, miniature train, deer herd, theme park. 1 hour East on Hwy 50. http://www.royalgorgebridge.com/
Train ride through the Royal Gorge – Breathtaking and historic. Definitely worth it! 1 hour East on Hwy 50. http://www.royalgorgeroute.com/
Great Sand Dune National Monument – Climb dunes like the Sahara Desert. 1 hour 45 minutes South in the San Luis Valley. www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm
Alligator Farm –Visit all kinds of reptiles and huge alligators raised in thermal springs. 1 hour South in the San Luis Valley. http://www.gatorfarm.com/
Joyful Journey Hot Springs – Soak in outdoor pools protected by windscreens, great views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, very clean. Discounts. 45 minutes South in the San Luis Valley. http://www.joyfuljourneyhotsprings.com/
Penitente Canyon Climbing Area and Spiritual Sites -Quiet canyons and grasslands in western San Luis Valley.
World-class rock climbing, Spanish rock art, wagon ruts from Old Spanish Trail, campground, picnic area, mountain biking. From Salida, approx. 1 hour, 45 minutes South in the San Luis Valley. There are rattlesnakes that inhabit this area…go prepared. http://www.sangres.com/colorado/riogrande/penitentecanyon.htm
Crestone Spiritual Centers- The Crestone area has many spiritual centers espousing many different doctrines and disciplines. Crestone is also a meca for sustainable, green and alternative building.
An enjoyable day getaway to peruse the spiritual temples, art galleries, day hikes, and sustainable houses and buildings. 1 hour South in the San Luis Valley. http://www.manitou.org/MF/spiritual_ctrs.php
Orient Land Trust, Valley View hotsprings & Bat Caves -During the summer and fall, thousands of bats emerge in the evening from the Orient Mine in the San Luis Valley and can be seen stretching south like a river. 45 minutes South in the San Luis Valley. http://www.olt.org/
Colorado Wolf Sanctuary and Habitat Join wildlife conservationists and learn the crucial importance to the Native Colorado Wolf and Fox habitat. Get up close and see these animals in their own environment. 1 hour, 45 minutes East in Divide. http://www.wolfeducation.org/
Cripple Creek Mining Town and Casino -There are 5 museums, mine tours, the Cripple Creek & Victor narrow gauge railroad and of course, GAMBLING with 14 casinos. 2 hours thru South Park. http://www.cripple-creek.co.us/
Bishop’s Castle -You must see what Jim Bishop’s obsession and single-handed hard work has accomplished in 34 years and it is still ongoing.
There are breathtaking stone and ornamental iron works, stain glass windows in the ballroom and a fire-breathing dragonhead all on a huge castle. 1 hour 45 minutes thru Westcliff. http://bishopcastle.info