Local Beta › Hiking
Valley conditions right now
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You can walk out of downtown Salida onto singletrack. Low trails melt out early and stay dry most of the winter, so there's almost always something to hike.
- Arkansas Hills and S Mountain (Tenderfoot): more than 22 miles on BLM and city land, right above town. Built and maintained by Salida Mountain Trails volunteers. Easier trails sit low, harder ones climb higher.
- Methodist Mountain and Little Rainbow: about 23 miles across 14 trails on the south side of town. Little Rainbow has a wide, gentle tread built for beginners and horses.
- Barbara Whipple Trail, Buena Vista: BV's most-hiked trail, starting at the River Park footbridge and climbing about 300 feet in a mile on the old Midland Railroad grade.
- Midland Hill, Buena Vista: more than 1,500 feet of climbing in 2.4 miles for a real workout with Collegiate views.
- Rainbow Trail: about 113 miles along the Sangre de Cristo foothills, starting near Poncha Pass.
Summer rule of thumb up high: start early, be below treeline by early afternoon. Thunderstorms can build before noon in July and August.
Know before you go
- Bear food storage order on Pike-San Isabel National Forest through June 2028: store food in a hard-sided vehicle, a bear-resistant container, or hung 10 feet up and 4 feet out.
- Collegiate Peaks Wilderness: dogs on leash, groups of 15 or fewer, no camping within 100 feet of lakes, streams or trails, and no campfires above 11,000 feet.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Stay on trail.
Resources
Common questions
Can I hike in Salida in the winter?
Usually, yes. The low trails in the Arkansas Hills and on Methodist Mountain melt out fast and stay dry most of the winter. Microspikes help after a storm.
Are dogs allowed on Salida trails?
Dogs are welcome on most town trails. In the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness they must be on a leash.
What is the easiest hike near Salida?
Little Rainbow on Methodist Mountain has a wide, gentle tread built for beginners. In Buena Vista, the Barbara Whipple Trail climbs about 300 feet in a mile from the River Park.
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.