Local Beta › Trail running
Valley conditions right now
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Fire restrictions and this week's shop notes are on the Local Beta page.
Salida sits at 7,083 feet with miles of dry, rolling singletrack starting at the edge of town. Locals run the Arkansas Hills all winter and head up high once the snow melts.
- In town: Arkansas Hills and S Mountain for quick climbs and big views, Methodist Mountain for longer loops.
- Buena Vista: the Whipple and Midland trails connect into about 100,000 acres of BLM and Forest land in the Fourmile area.
- Up high: Colorado Trail segments along the Collegiates and Monarch Crest in July through September.
- Run Through Time Marathon and Half, Salida: next edition March 13, 2027, on trails between 7,000 and 9,000 feet. Proceeds support Salida Mountain Trails and Chaffee County Search and Rescue South.
- Collegiate Peaks Trail Run, Buena Vista: 25 and 50 miles, running since 1991. Next edition May 1, 2027.
Know before you go
- Visitors from sea level: cut your usual pace and distance for the first few days.
- Carry water even on short runs. The air here is very dry.
- Shoulder-season runs can mean mud low and snow high on the same day.
Common questions
What are the big trail races near Salida?
Run Through Time in Salida (marathon, half and 2 mile, next on March 13, 2027) and the Collegiate Peaks Trail Run in Buena Vista (25 and 50 miles, next on May 1, 2027).
Can I trail run in Salida in winter?
Yes. The Arkansas Hills and Methodist Mountain trails stay mostly dry, and locals run them all winter.
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.