Visit
Visit Buena Vista, Colorado
Base camp for the Collegiate Peaks.
Raft Browns Canyon, climb a fourteener, discover Buena Vista's river-town energy and plan a day that fits your pace.
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A Perfect Day
One Day in Buena Vista
Morning
Coffee at Buena Vista Roastery on Main Street, then a morning soak at Cottonwood Hot Springs — the mineral pools are odorless and among the hottest in the state.
Afternoon
Raft the Arkansas through Browns Canyon, or drive up to the ghost town of St. Elmo and Cottonwood Pass for views of the Collegiate Peaks.
Evening
Wood-fired pizza and a Boater Beer at Eddyline on the river in South Main, then a pour at Deerhammer Distillery next door.
Things To Do
Peaks, river and hot springs
Eight 14,000-foot peaks in view, the Arkansas running through town, hot springs without the sulfur smell, and a ghost town you can actually drive to — all at non-resort prices.
Arkansas River Whitewater
Browns Canyon, the Numbers and family-friendly floats — Buena Vista is the launch point for Colorado's most popular rafting river.
Cottonwood Hot Springs
Natural mineral pools without the sulfur smell — among the hottest in Colorado, with a spa and digital-detox inn.
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort
Creekside soaking pools, waterslides and a full-service spa at the base of Mt. Princeton — 15 minutes south in Nathrop.
St. Elmo Ghost Town
One of Colorado's best-preserved ghost towns — a drivable dirt road 20 miles up Chalk Creek Canyon.
Buena Vista River Park & Surf Wave
A whitewater park right in town — river surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding on the Arkansas.
Collegiate Peaks & Cottonwood Pass
Eight 14ers ring the valley — drive Cottonwood Pass for the view, or hike Mt. Yale, Harvard or Princeton.
Where To Stay
Sleep between the peaks and the river
A riverside boutique hotel, hot-springs inns, cabin courts and honest motels — Buena Vista sleeps adventurers at every price point.
Rates shown include Booking.com Genius and partner discounts where available.
Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa
Check today's lowest price →Buffalo Peaks Lodge
Check today's lowest price →Vista Court Cabins & Lodge
Check today's lowest price →Best Western Vista Inn
Check today's lowest price →Not sure where to stay?
Ask Abbi →Cabins & Camps
Sleep by the Arkansas
Riverside campgrounds, cabin courts and hot-springs camping in the shadow of the Collegiate Peaks.
Arrowhead Point Campground & Cabins
Check today's lowest price →Cabins around Buena Vista
Check today's lowest price →Vacation rentals on Vrbo
Browse rentals →Buena Vista KOA
Directions →Dispersed & forest camping
Ask Abbi →Browse Every Stay
The full Buena Vista map
Every bookable hotel, cabin and rental around Buena Vista — live prices, one map.
Map not loading? Browse all Buena Vista stays →
Where To Eat
River town, real food
An award-winning brewery on the Arkansas, a distillery, sushi in the mountains and the best burgers hidden in an alley — Buena Vista's food scene punches way above its size.
Eddyline Restaurant & Brewery
Directions →House Rock Kitchen
Directions →The Asian Palate
Directions →Deerhammer Distillery
Directions →Buena Vista Roastery
Directions →Can't decide?
Ask Abbi →Explore Colorado
More Colorado Adventures
Explore scenic drives, historic places, protected landscapes and iconic peaks throughout Colorado.
Shop Local
Take Buena Vista home
South Main's riverside shops, Main Street galleries and gear outfitters for the river and the peaks.
Forsythe Fine Jewelry
Directions →Colorado Kayak Supply
Directions →The Lonesome Hat Bar
Directions →Move Here
Could Buena Vista become home?
Learn about housing, winter, work and daily life, then connect with a local broker through the Buena Vista relocation page.
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Nearby Towns
The Arkansas Valley
Buena Vista sits mid-valley between the Collegiate Peaks — hot springs, ghost towns and river towns in every direction.