A Local's Guide To Buena Vista, Colorado | We Are Travel Girls (2024)

Why visit Denver and only see the mountains from afar? Instead, get an actual Colorado small mountain town experience in Buena Vista! There are many mountain towns in the Rocky Mountains worth visiting. Everyone has heard of Aspen, Vail, and Telluride, but have you heard of Buena Vista?

Buena Vista offers the best of outdoor activities like Class II-IV white water rafting (I would know, I was a raft and backpacking guide) on the Arkansas River, river surfing, rock climbing, fly fishing, backpacking, hiking, mountain biking, and ropes courses.

Buena Vista is so popular for adventure sports that it has “river rats” (residents who live there only during the summer because they are guides), but beyond getting an adrenaline fix here, there are also chic coffee spots, great food and hotels, and an array of boutiques worth visiting.

Best Places To Stay In Buena Vista, Colorado

• Surf Hotel – This stunning hotel offers beautiful rooms and quality restaurants and bars worth visiting even if you don’t stay there. The hotel sits right on the river’s shore; you can easily walk to the path by the river, cross the bridge, and go on a hike or a walk to town. If you time it right, you could also be there during PaddleFest, where they host river surfing, kayaking competitions, and concerts. If you miss PaddleFest, don’t worry; many other concerts come to the Surf Hotel.
• VRBO – There are many in-town vacation rentals, more remote ones in the mountains or some by the river!
• Camp – There are almost too many camping options! The one close to town is on 304 Road; you can look up Collegiate Peaks Scenic Overlook and then keep driving following the river until you find a spot you like. Most people who camp here come with their cars. Other options are in the Collegiate Peak campsites, like at the base camp for Harvard and Yale, Cottonwood Lake Campground, or Chalk Lake Campground.

Best Outdoor Activities In Buena Vista, Colorado

There are endless outdoor activities to do in Buena Vista! Rafting, river surfing, hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking… choose your adventure. I listed my top five outdoor things to do and see in Buena Vista.

1) Raft the Arkansas River

As a raft guide at Noah’s Ark, I recommend Noah’s Ark for the best rafting experience. There are many companies, but Noah’s notably has the best customer service.

You can choose a half-day trip or a full-day trip. The half-day trip is Class II and III rapids, and the full-day trip is Class II, III, and IV (at certain water levels) plus lunch! Rafting on the Arkansas is an experience not to be missed; you get to see and raft Brown’s Canyon National Monument.

Brown’s Canyon is a stunning canyon full of wildlife and rock formations. When you’re done having the best time of your life, you can come back to Noah’s, chat with the welcoming staff, get your photos from the rapids, grab a coffee or pop-tart from Veya, and maybe even do the ropes course! Noah’s also offers guided fly fishing and backpacking trips.

2) Drive Cottonwood Pass

This is a stunning scenic drive from town to the top of the collegiate peaks, reaching the continental divide. I recommend going just before sunset, bringing a picnic (maybe from Sorelle’s!), and enjoying it beside the alpine lake at the top of the pass.

You can hike the continental divide from the pass, looking into the beautiful Rocky Mountains. If you go earlier in the day, you should hike Lost Lake along the way. It is a quick 1.5-2 hr hike to an alpine lake with an island in the middle; if you’re into cold plunges like my friends and I, you can jump in and swim to the island.

3) Try river surfing

River surfing was invented in the neighboring town of Salida, where the brand BadFish comes from. There are natural standing waves in Buena Vista and Salida, where you can try standing up on the mini surfboards. It’s super fun even if you don’t stand up!

You can rent boards in Salida or just hang around long enough in Buena Vista at the surf hole, and someone will offer you their board to try. Though you may wish you had a wetsuit. The Buena Vista surf hole is past the baseball field, towards the hiking trails (midland), but take a right after the Pump track.

4) Hiking in the Collegiate Peaks

Buena Vistais surrounded by a famous part of the Rocky Mountains called the Collegiate Peaks. They are famous because they have a ton of 14er’s 14,000ft mountains named after notable colleges like Princeton, Yale, Harvard, and Columbia.

You’ll find that many people are “collecting” peaks and trying to do all the 14ers in Colorado, and you’ll see them here. If you are a hiking nerd, you should attempt to peak one! My friends and I peaked at Columbia; the view was incredible. If you want to try, ensure you acclimate first for at least two days, and then get up early (like 3am) and start hiking. It can take between 5-10 hours.

Carry snacks along the way, tons of water, sunglasses, layers, raincoat (can you tell I was a backpacking guide), and a first aid kit. If you don’t want to peak a 14er, you can still go to the same trailheads and enjoy the stunning scenery, lakes, rivers, wildlife, wildflowers, and a view of the valleys.

5) Fly fishing

Fly fishing is very popular in Colorado and Arkansas, and nearby alpine lakes in Buena Vista offer quality fishing experiences. There are many guided fly fishing opportunities for those who have never fly-fished to well-seasoned pros.

Many guiding companies offer float trips along Arkansas for half-day or full-day, often including a meal. Plus, you get to experience the rapids as well! Many companies also provide walk-and-walk trips if you want a more feet-on-ground experience. Fly fishing in Buena Vista has stunning scenery and quality guides. If you like fishing, try it here, or if you’ve never tried it in Buena Vista!

Best Places To Get Coffee In Buena Vista

Buena Vistais full of coffee nerds, but these are the top three in Buena Vista!

• My favorite Veya Co – This beautiful retro coffee truck makes quality espresso drinks, has killer homemade pop tarts, and lovely mint lemonade iced tea. I am biased; I worked at Noah’s Ark and would go to Veya nearly every day (as it is located on Noah’s Ark property). The coffee cart is run by Noah’s staff, Jack and Mary-Lou, who are the best people. Ever. But honestly, I tried all the coffee in town, and Veya just won! My go-to order is the Cortado with their homemade chili syrup.
• Buena Vista Roastery Cafe – Locals call this Buena Vista staple “The Roast” on the main street. If you go early enough, you’ll find locals playing chess, and you may get one of their fantastic breakfast burritos. The Roast has quality drip coffee and a killer deal: drip coffee + burrito = $9. They also offer espresso drinks as well as freshly made pastries.
• The Midland Stop – This incredible spot is across from the Surf Hotel in the “newer” part of town. Midland offers quality espresso, fantastic gelato, and breakfast options like burritos and pastries. You have to try their scones!

Best Places To Eat In Buena Vista

Most places in Buena Vista are Chipotle-style, walk in, order, and the food is brought to you. Be prepared to have long waits for dinner in Buena Vista. There are many great options for food, but these are the top three.

• Buena Viking – The Viking started as a food truck but is opening a store location this year! This place has killer burgers and my personal favorite, tater tots. Go when you have enough time to wait in a long line, but know it’s worth the wait. While you wait, grab a great co*cktail or mocktail from the window near the truck.
• Wesley & Rose, in The Surf Hotel – Wesley & Rose has incredible food sourced from seasonal and local goods. Come to Wesley & Rose for a co*cktail or wine while enjoying their small plates. My favorites are the lamb pops, parmesan fries, shrimp and polenta, and fried brussel sprouts. If you stay for dinner, get the pizza! My favorite pizza is the Salty Selby, which has the most mouthwatering flavor and slightly salted crust. If you’re at Welsey and Rose, you must get dessert; it’s just a must. Sometimes, I would just come for the fries and dessert. The carrot cake is incredible, but its other desserts are unique and often change according to the season.
• Sorelles Delicatessen – This is a great lunch spot. Sorelle’s is run by two Italian Sisters who have created a great spot in Buena Vista. My go-to order is the classic Italian sandwich called the Sorelle Italian, followed by cannoli. Don’t miss the cannoli. Everything else is great too, the salads, pasta, and other desserts. They have a great patio where you can enjoy your meal.
• Bird and Mouse Bakery – This spot is even a mystery to the locals due to its short opening hours, 7-11am, and only during the summers, but if you manage to find it, you will not forget it. This tiny home tucked away behind Loback’s Bakery serves incredible, unique pastries, cakes, breakfast sandwiches on homemade bagels or sourdough, and excellent drip coffee.
• The Blend – A perfect breakfast or midday spot for a healthy and delicious pick-me-up. The Blend has incredible breakfast sandwiches, burritos, smoothies, and smoothie bowls. Additionally, they have great pastries and lunch options. Their coffee is fine, but there is nothing to write home about.

Best Bars In Buena Visita

• The Terrace on Main – The Terrace is the only new rooftop bar in Buena Vista. It is a classy oasis with fireplaces, excellent customer service, live music, and great drinks and appetizers. I recommend their killer margarita, but they also have other co*cktails, wine, and beer on tap. Splurge on their cheese board for the most beautiful experience; it is stunning and delicious!
• The Surf Hotel – Back to Wesley and Rose for Buena Vista’s best co*cktails, wine, and beer.
• The Lariat – Live music, local crowd, pool, and drinks. I recommend going with your friends for a game of pool during local music nights. You can also find awesome bands coming to the Lariat, where you need a ticket. Their drinks are fine at best, but the crowd is worth the visit.

Other Things To Do In Buena Visita

• Book Nook – This gem is tucked into the residential side of town because it is a bookstore in an old home. When you enter, you will be greeted by the very kind owner; she will offer you homemade cookies and coffee in the kitchen. Have the cookies, and then explore the books and trinkets! The book selection is pretty diverse and specializes in local authors, guides for animals, geography, activities in Colorado, and local history. Make your way to the back and walk through the garden to the garage with more books and maps.
• Princeton Hot Springs – Most tourists will end up here, as they should; it’s fantastic! After a long day of rafting in the cold river, come here to find natural hot springs in the river. You can alternate between the cold parts of the river and the hot spots, or if you have no desire to be near the river again, you can use the hot or cold pools.
• Salida – Visit the nearby town of Salida! Salida is slightly larger than Buena Vista and fun to visit for a day. Salida has excellent coffee and croissants at the Red Hen Bakery and other restaurants. It is also a great place to thrift in places like Ruby Blues.
• Rodeo – During the summer, rodeos often occur once a month, either in Buena Vista or Salida. A rodeo is an excellent actual mountain town experience in Colorado. You may think rodeos belong to Texas, but Colorado has a long history of cattle farming and rodeos. Plus, you’ll find fun square and line dancing! Wear or buy a cowboy hat, put on a twirly dress, and have fun!
• Pickleball – Recently, Buena Vista opened new pickleball courts! There are six courts open to the public at all times. Go pickle!! Pickleball is a passion for the locals, so make sure you don’t take their court, but besides that, you can often go and find people to play with when you get there.

Best Time To Visit Buena Vista

Summer! Most people think of visiting Colorado during the winter to ski or snowboard. Still, Buena Vista is a summer town as all the tourism and activities revolve around the river.

The weather is perfect: sunny days and cool evenings. And wildflower season is, conveniently, also during the summer. You can enjoy the beautiful flowers and the mountains as the snow melts off them in May, running into the river when rafting, surfing, and fishing begins.

Buena Visita, Colorado Wrap Up

Buena Vista will forever be one of my favorite small towns, and I was lucky to live there for almost two years! I hope you can visit this wonderful, exciting mountain town in Colorado.

We hope this article inspired you to visit Buena Vista, Colorado. If you have any questions or advice to share with our readers, please leave these in the comments below.

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We Are Travel Girls Contributor Grace Farnie
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