Near the headwaters of the Arkansas River in Salida, Colorado, you will find a delightful venue for your holiday weekend and an opportunity to enjoy bluegrass music, food, drink, and fun for all ages.Bluegrass on the Arkansas, an annual fund raiser for the Rotary Club of Salida, will be back Memorial Day Weekend May 27th and 28th this year. Our thanks go out to everyone who helped make the 2022 show an awesome success!!This is a FREE event that our community has enjoyed for 20 years that draws visitors to and locals the same. In addition to an exciting two days of bluegrass bands, both local and from out of town, we are having food trucks for your convenience and enjoyment. Rotarians will again be pouring SoulCraft beer from the beer truck and hoping to supply sustainable, reusable cups for the event. A Bouncy House will be available for kids on Sunday and nonalcoholic beverages (as well as wine and hard spritzers) will be available. Come join us in supporting Salida Rotary and enjoying BlueGrass on the Arkansas at Riverside Park: all make this a fun weekend.This event is the main fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Salida. We are proud to help the youth of our community not only by providing vocational and scholastic scholarships but also by giving to other local nonprofits throughout Chaffee County. All proceeds of the event go to support our seniors and community organizations who work hard to make a difference.
Location: Salida
Royal Gorge Region Visitors Guide Flipbook
Salida Parade Of Lights
Parade of Lights at 6pm Lighting of the worlds largest Christmas Tree on Christmas Mountain to follow. Holiday Park open through the Holidays Christmas Mountain will be lit until the first Sunday in January.
Christmas Mountain 5 Mile Run
Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend and the lighting of Christmas Mountain in Salida with a 5 mile race! Course begins and ends by Riverside Park in downtown Salida. Race course is very scenic and flat (around 160 feet of elevation gain) and takes place on city and county roads and gravel or concrete pedestrian paths. This event is designed for all runners, and we encourage all ages and abilities to come out! Packet pickup, post race drinks and snacks, and awards will also take place in Riverside Park in downtown Salida. Race begins at 10am, giving participants time to sleep in after Thanksgiving, and then relax with friends and family before heading back to downtown Salida for the lighting of Christmas Mountain. Festivities in town associated with this event include the annual Christmas Mountain parade, beginning at 6pm, followed by fireworks. This is one of Salida’s biggest and most celebratory nights each year. The goals of this event are to encourage health, fitness, fun, and community connection around the Thanksgiving holiday; to offer another competitive racing opportunity in Chaffee County; and to raise money during the holiday season for the Chaffee County Community Foundation. Prize money (TBD for 2022) will be offered to the top 3 W/F overall, along with the first place M/F masters runner (ages 40+). For more information or if you’re interested in sponsoring or volunteering at this event, please contact Kristy Falcon at christmasmountainrun@gmail.com.
Monumental Expeditions Rafting
My wife and I have been in the rafting industry for nearly 25 years. When we started our own company seven years ago we decided to offer an alternative experience for our guests to the mega-outfitter. As a small mom and pop business we are able to offer a much more personalized, private experience on the nations most rafted river. So come see why we have such loyal guests and monumental reviews, and let us share our love of rafting with you. ~ Adam
Monarch Mountain’s Closing Day
Monarch Mountain’s 2021-22 season closing day.
Monarch Mountain’s Opening Day
Monarch Mountain will open for the 2020-21 season on November 20, 2020.
Leadville Railroad
Leadville Train – All Aboard
326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461
Welcome aboard the Leadville Railroad. Join us for a Colorado adventure you will not forget. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Leadville Railroad is a scenic train trip that provides 2 and 1/2 hours of sightseeing, relaxation, and a little glimpse back in history.
The Leadville Railroad travels north parallel the Arkansas River Valley. Gaining almost 1,000 ft. in Elevation. As you travel, spectacular views of Freemont Pass and the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, show themselves. You will travel through pine forests, aspen groves and view high alpine meadows sprinkled with an array of colorful wildflowers in mid-summer. Bring your camera to try to capture a picture of an eagle, deer, marmots, and even elk.
During the train ride, the conductor will share stories about the history of the railroad, ghost stories, and tales of the wild west. Leadville, founded in 1877, was part of the silver mining boom era and consequently embodied the dramas of strike-it-rich western towns. When the train stops at an old Steam Engine water tank, passengers are able to get off the train and explore the area. Don’t forget to tour the Caboose and Engine and meet the Engineer!
The Leadville Railroad has operated as a scenic train in Leadville, Colorado, since 1988. Their summer season starts on Memorial Day weekend and trips run through the Holidays and into April. Check out their website for details on specialty summer tours like the wildflower tour and BBQ specials. Fall photo specials, Octoberfest in the fall, and our Holiday and Winter express tours from November to April. Due to the high elevation of this train tour, it’s best to come prepared with jackets, hats, gloves, and sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera.
Leadville Train Schedule 
The Leadville Train runs year-round, check their calendar for specific dates. The train ride is approximately 2 plus hours long.
Leadville Special Trains
The Leadville Train celebrates holidays and events throughout the year with special trains. Their winter Holiday Express Train is a seasonal favorite.
Adventure Combo Packages
- Raft and train ride adventure package.
- Rails and zipline adventure package.
- Wildflower tour train ride.
Engine & Caboose Rides
Purchase a special add-on ticket for this extraordinary Leadville train experience.
Group Packages 
Leadville Train offers special pricing on groups of 20 people or more. They try and accommodate groups with discounts according to their needs. If you have questions or would like to see if your group can be accommodated, give them a call 1-866-386-3936 or contact them for more information.
Arkansas River Tours
Since 1973, Arkansas River Tours has connected over 300,000 guest’s lives to the river on fun Colorado whitewater rafting adventures. From family-friendly floats and multi-activity packages to advanced Royal Gorge rafting, Arkansas River Tours has a trip for everyone!
Whether you’re planning a family vacation or weekend getaway, whitewater rafting is the perfect activity to tack on a little adventure. Our goal at Arkansas River Tours is to provide premium Colorado whitewater rafting experiences through experiential learning and emphases on safety. From the courteous office staff to the quirky, yet professional guides, Arkansas River Tours is sure to make your Colorado adventure a memorable experience.
Not sure which trip to choose? Our support staff is available to help. Our most popular trip is the Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trip. This experience is perfect for families that are looking to “get their feet wet”. For those who have been Colorado whitewater rafting before, the Royal Gorge river rafting trip is challenging and provides lasting memories for all. Brand new to rafting and not sure where to start? The Cottonwood Family Float trip offers wildlife viewing and an introduction to the river environment. Spending the day in nature with your young ones is the perfect way to eliminate screen time and show them the great outdoors!
Book Your Arkansas River Rafting Trip With Arkansas River Tours!
Journey Quest
Journey Quest’s Christ-Centered Wilderness & Whitewater Rafting Adventures are perfect for your family or group! Our exciting and purposeful activities include whitewater rafting, rock climbing, inflatable kayaking and more. Most of our rafting adventures launch from our site at Texas Creek (near Cañon City) and travel through Bighorn Sheep Canyon or the Royal Gorge, offering some of the most spectacular scenery on the Arkansas River. Our guided tours range from 1/4 day to 7 days, and can be tailored to suit your individual taste for adventure. We are ideally suited to serve families and groups who are interested in growing with Jesus Christ, enjoying wholesome family fun, and experiencing thrilling whitewater adventures.
- Royal Gorge: High adrenaline whitewater rafting adventure through the legendary Royal Gorge. 1/2 day, Full-Day & Double Dip.
- Bighorn Sheep Canyon: An excellent beginner to intermediate whitewater rafting trip that is perfect for families and groups. 1/4 Day, 1/2 Day, 3/4 Day and Full-Day.
- Inflatable Kayaking: These little boats are wet, wild, and ridiculously fun! 1/2 Day and Full-Day.
- Rock Climbing: Guided adventures near Texas Creek or the Shelf Road climbing area. Spring, Summer, and Fall.
- Overnight Trips: Everything from single-night rafting trip to week-long adventures. Includes great service, delicious meals, amazing campsites, and any combination of our activities. Summer and Fall, 2-7 Days.
Best Value: Journey Quest’s trips are the best value on the Arkansas River with competitive pricing and individualized attention! Our riverside location allows us to offer longer trips with more rapids than any other outfitter, so you’ll pay less, but spend more time on the river and less on the shuttle bus.
Commitment to Safety: Your safety is our first priority! Journey Quest’s staff undergo rigorous on-river training — at least double the state requirement — and are certified in Swiftwater Rescue, Wilderness First Aid and CPR.