Things to do in Buena Vista
Collegiate Peaks Golf Course
Collegiate Peaks Golf Course is a nine hole public golf course located in Buena Vista. This golf course offers breathtakingly beautiful views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. This golf course features some water hazards as it follows Cottonwood Creek.
Enjoy incredible views of the Collegiate Peaks as you cruise through granite domes in the Fourmile Recreation Area near Bueana Vista, or ride the abundant single track of the Arkansas Hills Trail system near Salida. Choose a mellow ride or step it up to the next level.
Fall is a perfect time to get outside and enjoy the crisp Buena Vista air and golden leaves.
Numerous beginner and intermediate hikes are available in the Buena Vista area and serve as great family options. The many lakes near Buena Vista also offer beautiful hiking destinations, such as Ptarmigan Lake, Hartenstein Lake, Clear Creek Reservoir, and Twin Lakes. You can even hike the amazing trails at the end of East Main Street in downtown Buena Vista, such as the Arkansas River Trail or the Midland Trail; both are good options for families and those who don’t want to trek far out of town.
The autumn colors typically peak in Mid-September and run through the end of September or early October. The aspen trees in high elevation peak first, while some of the lower elevation groves and cottonwoods along the Arkansas River follow a couple weeks later.
Advanced Mountaineering
Sometimes you’ll hear the Collegiate Peaks called “fourteeners” which is a reference to the mountains that have an elevation of at least 14,000 feet. Buena Vista is a popular area for mountaineering, especially since Chaffee County the highest concentration of fourteeners in Colorado. In fact, there are 12 fourteeners in the county all within an easy distance from Buena Vista.
Summiting a fourteener is a noteworthy feat, and many travel to Buena Vista just to attain their very own mountaintop experience. For information on hiking a fourteener visit www.fourteenernet.com/fourteeners