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Buena
Vista, Colorado
Attractions
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Historic
District
Buena Vista incorporated
in 1879 and one year later the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad
and the Denver, South Park & Pacific railroads had laid tracks
to town. In 1887, a third railroad, the Colorado Midland was also
providing service. Many of the towns buildings date back to this
era, the 1880s and 1890s. A walking tour of the town will bring
this history to life.
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Art
Galleries
Buena Vista has a growing art community,
visitors will find galleries exhibiting the
works of local artists, sculptors, jewelers, potters, and goldsmiths. Art
and craft shopping is a great way to spend an afternoon in historic
Buena Vista.
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Heritage
Museum
The Heritage Museum, located in the old county courthouse, depicts
the town's 120 years of history and houses a turn of the century
model railroad exhibit that features the historic Midland, Rio Grande
and South Park Railroads. The Chaffee County Council of the Arts
uses the upper floor for traveling art shows.
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Hot
Springs
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort on CR 162 south of Buena Vista
features outdoor soaking pool, lap pool, and bath house. Another hot
springs near the town is Cottonwood Hot Springs on CR 306 west of
Buena Vista, with stone soaking pools, private spas, sauna, and cold
plunge.
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Scenic
Overlook
Collegiate Peaks scenic overlook is just east of town. It provides
one of the most spectacular views in the Rockies. A large panoramic
display identifies the 14,000 foot peaks and other points of interest
across the valley.
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Ghost
Towns & Mining Camps
Visits to nearby ghost towns and
mining camps are a top priority for vacationers. The
region has numerous abandoned ghost towns, mining camps, and mountain
homesteads, remnants of the original Colorado settlers, who came to
the region to mine gold and silver. These sites are often featured
on jeep tours offered by local guides.
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Gold
Rush Days
This celebration of the regions
mining history includes burro races, vendors, western singers and
dancers, gunfighters, gold panning, variety show, etc. Food and Fun
for all! Even a good old pancake breakfast.
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San
Isabel National Forests
Buena Vista is minutes from the San
Isabel National Forest. The forest includes scenic and recreational
features within its 1,109,782 acres. The recreation opportunities
in the forest are countless. Visitors can visit ghost towns or backpack
on more than 700 miles of trails. Camping, Fishing, hiking, horseback
riding, mountain biking, wildlife viewing, and snowshoeing are only
a few of the activities available. Horseback, snowmobile, mountain
biking, jeep, and other tours are available from local vendors and
outfitters.
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Arkansas
Headwaters State Recreation Area
The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Areas is one of
the nation's most unusual recreation areas, stretching for 148 miles
along one of the West's premier recreation rivers, the Arkansas.
From its northern boundary below the fabled mining town of Leadville
to the Pueblo Reservoir, the area is a recreation paradise. Opportunities
abound for fishing, rafting, kayaking, picnicking, wildlife watching,
hiking, camping, mountain climbing and sightseeing among deep canyons,
broad valleys, and towering mountains. Buena Vista is home base
for many river rafting outfitters operating in the recreation area.
They offer a wide variety of rafting, kayaking, and float fishing
trips on the Arkansas River.
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