WHITEWATER PARKS

Waves and playholes come alive on the Arkansas River through town in two locations – one at the Buena Vista River Park and one in downtown Salida.

In Buena Vista, Colorado swimming, sunning and playing with your dogs are major activities here. The park is also connected to soccer fields, a disc golf course, covered gazebo for picnicking, hiking trails, a park for kids and advanced rock climbers and softball and baseball fields.

The whitewater park in Salida, Colorado runs right through the historic downtown. Here, visitors will find retail shopping, art galleries, riverside dining options, the river trail, and access to a historic boutique hotel. Climbing rocks and a park area are also available. Live bands are a popular attraction at The Riverside Park, an outdoor entertainment venue.

The Buena Vista whitewater park is the largest whitewater park in Colorado. This whitewater park stretches from the Buena Vista River Park to the South Main retail and residential area. The Salida whitewater park is flanked by restaurants and offers great surf waves for kayakers and stand up paddle boarders. River tubing is gaining popularity and rentals are available in town.

To kick off the whitewater season the annual CKS Paddlefest in Buena Vista takes place on Memorial Day weekend each year. The worlds oldest whitewater festival FIBARK is held Fathers Day weekend in Salida, Colorado.