Local Beta › Camping and hot springs
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Fire restrictions and this week's shop notes are on the Local Beta page.
- Ruby Mountain Campground, Browns Canyon: 22 sites on CR 300 near Nathrop, run by CPW. Reservations required, vault toilets, no water.
- Dispersed camping on San Isabel National Forest: stay up to 14 days in any 30 within a 20-mile radius, and camp at least 100 feet from water unless you're in a designated site. Along Chalk Creek up to St. Elmo, South Cottonwood Creek and around O'Haver Lake, camp only in designated sites.
- BLM land near Buena Vista: parts of Chaffee County, mainly around Fourmile, are designated-sites only.
- Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center: 410 W. Rainbow Blvd. Built as a WPA project in 1937 and billed as the largest indoor hot springs pool in the country.
- Mount Princeton Hot Springs: creekside pools at the base of Chalk Creek, open year round. Day passes are sold in person.
- Cottonwood Hot Springs: about 5.5 miles west of Buena Vista on Cottonwood Pass Road.
- Downtown Salida: Colorado's first certified Creative District, with galleries, restaurants and the riverwalk all in a few blocks of the shop.
Know before you go
- Fire restrictions change through the season. Check the county and Forest Service before every trip.
- The current Forest dispersed camping order runs to December 1, 2026 and may be renewed with changes.
- Bears are active. Store food properly at camp.
Resources
Common questions
Can I camp for free near Salida?
Dispersed camping is allowed on much of San Isabel National Forest for up to 14 days, with designated-site-only rules along Chalk Creek, South Cottonwood Creek and O'Haver Lake. Always check fire restrictions.
Is there a hot springs in Salida?
Yes. The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center at 410 W. Rainbow Blvd. is a 1937 indoor pool fed by city-owned springs. Mount Princeton and Cottonwood hot springs are both about half an hour north.
Keep exploring
Checked October 2026 against the agencies linked on this page. Rules change, so confirm before you go, and stop by the shop at 110 N F Street for the latest.