Buena Vista is a gorgeous small town located in Central Colorado. It is a very outdoor-friendly town with a lot of fun activities. While most small mountain towns are best known for their epic skiing terrain, Buena Vista has something different to offer.
The Arkansas River runs through the town offering tons of unique river activities. Plus there are many great trails for hiking, mountain biking, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Whether you want to get in some intense exercise or stroll through town to check out the local shops, breweries and restaurants there are tons of great things to do in Buena Vista, Colorado.
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Lost Lake Hike
We were blown away at how easy, yet rewarding the hike to Lost Lake was. The hike is a 2.6 mile hike roundtrip.
The hike is rated as easy and only has 438 feet in elevation change.
Lost Lake hike is located up beautiful Cottonwood Pass in Buena Vista. There isn’t a parking lot for the hike, there is just a pull off on the side of the road that allows room for 3-4 cars.
The trailhead is located across the street from where you park. If your not used to hiking in the mountains, check out our article Tips For Hiking In The Mountains.
Cottonwood Hot Springs & Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort
What not a better way to relax than a soak in the local hot springs? There are two different hot springs that are within driving distance from Buena Vista.
The Cottonwood Hotsprings are a local soak spot with natural springs. The Mt. Princeton Hotsprings is a luxury resort and more of a tourist attraction. Both are great to visit if you are in Buena Vista and in need of a good soak in a natural hotspring.
Stop at Biggies For A Tasty Sandwich
If you want a bomb sandwich for a reasonable price in a mountain town, Biggies is your place! They are locally owned and use quality ingredients. These gourmet sanwiches are worshipped by many Buena Vista locals. Biggies is known for their “biggie” sandwich, philly cheese steaks and more!
Drive Up Cottonwood Pass
Cottonwood Pass is a stunning drive and has panoramic views. This pass is only open in the Summer so be sure to take a scenic drive up and take in the views! It is especially beautiful during the fall (usually mid-September) with the leaves changing.
Once you make it to the top, you can stop at any point on the continental divide.
St. Elmo The Ghost Town
If you are into historic towns, St. Elmo The Ghost Town might be a good place to visit. It was an old mining town back in the late 1800’s for gold and silver. But the town was abandoned around the 1920’s when the mining industry declined.
There is no longer anyone living in the town, but many tourists adventure onto the off-road trails nearby. St. Elmo The Ghost Town is located 20 miles southwest of Buena Vista.
There are numerous ghost towns around Buena Vista. Besides Saint Elmo, you might consider checking out Hancock and Romely Town Sites or Vicksburg.
Grab a Brew From Eddyline Restaurant
One of our favorite breweries in Colorado is in Buena Vista. Eddyline doesn’t only put out good beer, they also have a tasty restaurant. They have a great selection of craft beers on tap and delicious wood-fired pizzas!
A Bonus feature is their outdoor patio and as well as indoor seating. They not only serve food and beer, they have some unique cocktails on the list too. So you don’t have to convince your cocktail friends to come hang with you at this brewery, as I am sure they will also find something tasty of their menu.
Be sure to check them out if you are into tasty beer. Our personal favorites are the Juicy IPA and the River Runner.
Eddyline Brewery also has another location on South Main Street.
Climb A 14er
What are 14’ers you might ask?! They are hikes that exceed above 14,000 feet. 14’ers are challenging hikes because the air is so thin at such high elevation, but the reward at the top is always worth it!
You get stunning panoramic views of mountains many miles away. Buena Vista is saturated with a wide variety of 14’ers in the area.
If you are just starting out, you will want to start with some easier ones like Mt. Belford or Mt. Yale. There is also Mt. Elbert which is the tallest 14’er in Colorado, but I would only do this one if you are already acquainted to the elevation.
You do need to pay attention to the weather, because thunderstorms often roll through in the afternoons. Also, 14’ers are very popular, so we suggest getting to the trailhead early if you want a spot in the parking lot and to beat the crowd.
Whitewater Rafting
Buena Vista is a big outdoors town and is known for world-class whitewater rafting.
Whitewater rafting is a great way to explore the scenic views of the Upper Arkansas River Valley.
There are a handful of different companies that cater to Whitewater Rafting in the area. Most of the trips in the area are down Browns Canyon which is considered Colorado’s #1 stretch for whitewater rafting.
Go on a Mountain Biking Adventure
Buena Vista has a huge mountain biking scene. One of the most popular trails in town is Vitamin B. But this trail is definitely not for the faint of heart as it is rated double black diamond.
If you are looking for a couple of easier biking trails, the Midland Trail Route System up Midland Hill offers some easier and flatter terrain. For some additional easier routes, you might check out the Whipple Trail System in town.
And if you are looking for a longer ride Tin Cup Pass outside town is a full-blown adventure but offers epic views.
If you don’t have your own mountain bike, you can rent mountain bikes from Black Burro Bikes.
Rent An E-Bike
And if mountain biking isn’t quite your adventure, an easier way to tour Buena Vista is via e-bike. No experience is needed, and it can make biking around town a breeze. It’s a great way to tour the beautiful countryside around Buena Vista.
An instructor will teach you everything you need to know about functioning an e-bike. Rent an E-Bike
Buena Vista River Park
The Buena Vista River Park is the outdoor adventure mecca. This area has access to mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails via the Midland Trail System. Plus there is a skate park, dog park, disc golf course, softball, baseball, soccer Field, basketball courts, tennis courts, and sand volleyball courts. So really the outdoor adventures are endless.
There is also access to a nice river walk from here. During the summer you are likely to see many outdoor enthusiasts out on the Arkansas River.
Visit the Buena Vista Whitewater Park
Probably one of the most popular activities in Buena Vista in the summer is whitewater rafting. But the fun doesn’t end there as there are 5 main whitewater structures and numerous eddies to practice your skills in the main part of town.
When we visited we saw some people surfing the eddy and doing some twists and flips, it was awesome to witness.
The CKS Paddlefest happens in Buena Vista every year around Memorial Day Weekend. So if you visit during this time you can watch some talented paddlers show off their skills.
Watch A Concert at The Lawn
The Lawn is a popular spot to watch live music in Buena Vista. It’s located on South Main Town Square in front of the Surf Hotel. The venue is an open-air design so you get to enjoy the gorgeous landscapes while listening to lovely artists.
Check to see if any local events happen while you’re in town.
Via Ferrata Climbing Experience in Buena Vista
For the true adrenaline junkies, a Via Ferrata Climbing experience is one of the raddest experiences you can do in BV.
Guests will meet their tour guides and get briefed on how to climb via ferrata style. Then you will start the adventure by traversing cliffsides, travel via iron rungs, cross suspension bridges, and rappel down a rock face. This is a true Colorado adventure to sure get the heart-racing.
Go For A Horseback Riding Adventure
Wanna witness the beauty of Colorado’s landscapes via horseback? Then, one of the best things to do in Buena Vista is a horseback riding tour. A few different companies offer unique rides along the countryside of BV.
The Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Riding Stable offers anything form a 30-minute pony ride, to a 1-2 hour horseback riding tours to a full blown ¾ day waterfall adventure ride.
Browns Canyon National Monument
A recent piece of history was made on Feb.19, 2015, by President Obama to designate 21,586 acres of pristine canyons, rivers, and backcountry forest as the Browns Canyon National Monument. This area is managed by both the National Forest and Bureau of Land Management.
Tourists can enjoy rafting, hiking, and fishing in the area. Popular hiking destinations are Ruby Mountain, Hucla Junction, and along the Turret Trail.
Buena Vista Roastery Cafe
Grab a freshly roasted brew from Buena Vista Roastery Cafe. The coffee shop was established as Bongo Billy’s Coffees in 1994. The company has since switched to the Buena Vista Roastery Cafe and has been roasting their beans at high elevations ever since.
They offer many different blends, so you will surely find a coffee you enjoy. They also serve tasty pastries as well!
Collegiate Peaks Golf Course
Grab 9-holes at the Collegiate Peak Golf Course. Multiple 14’ers in the Upper Arkansas Valley surround this course. It’s a public course, but they also offer memberships if you live in town.
They also have a clubhouse where your golfing buddies can grab lunch or some beverages.
Roam Downtown Buena Vista
The historic town of Buena Vista is a great place to roam and peek into local shops, grab a local brew, and taste some delicious food.
Some popular restaurants to try downtown Buena Vista are House Rock Kitchen, Simple Eatery, and Fancy Weiner.
Don’t miss the Buena Vista Heritage Museum if you are a history buff. The Old Chaffee County Courthouse was completed in 1882. The cost is just $5 per person to step back in time and witness what life was like in the 1800’s. There are many different themed rooms such as the School Rooms, County History Room, Industry Room, etc.
Day Trip To Twin Lakes
Two of the prettiest lakes in Colorado are the Twin Lakes. And luckily it is just 30 minutes from downtown Buena Vista. While it is an alpine lake and the water temperature is never quite swimmable, it can be a great place to kayak, paddleboard, boat, or fish. Or simply take in the beautiful view.
When water levels are lower you can walk around the perimeter of the lakes edge.
Zipline Aerial Adventure Park
Just a short drive south of town, one of the best things to do in Buena Vista is indulge in a zipline adventure. On this adrenaline adventure, you fly over slot canyons and unique mountain terrain on six different platforms.
The six ziplines range from 300 to 700 feet high with cliffside takeoffs and stunning views of the Arkansas River and Sangre De Cristo Mountain range.
Rent an ATV or Jeep
A fun thing to do in Buena Vista is rent an ATV or side-by-side to roam the various passes that require 4×4.
Popular off-road trails near Buena Vista are Mosquito Pass, Hancock Pass, Tincup Pass, Cumberland Pass, Weston Pass, etc.
You can rent a Jeep or ATV from BV Jeeps Mountain Adventure Rentals.
Go On A Camping Adventure
Following the outdoor enthusiast theme, a fun thing to do in Buena Vista is a camping adventure. There are a few RV Parks and established campgrounds around town. But there are also tons of free camping around the area.
One of our absolute favorite places to camp is just 30 minutes from town overlooking the Twin Lakes.
Where To Stay In Buena Vista, CO
Here are tons of great options for hotels and vacation rentals in Buena Vista.
We love to compare hotel prices on Booking, Expedia, and Hotels to find the best deals! Or if you prefer Vacation Rentals, use VRBO to find the perfect home away from home.
Takeaway | Fun Things To Do In Buena Vista, CO
Buena Vista is a bustling small mountain town that thrives during the summer months. But if you are visiting during winter, there is still tons of outdoor adventure to indulge in. Such as snowmobiling, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, etc. It might not have the ski resort vibe like many of the other towns, but it still offers a great small-town vibe with snowy-covered mountains.
The town of BV is one of the most popular destinations for epic mountain views just a short drive from Denver.
Check out some of our other favorite Colorado Mountain Towns:
Have you been to Buena Vista? What was your favorite thing you did?
Save These ‘Fun Things To Do In Buena Vista, CO’ For Later
Roger Franklin
Wednesday 26th of August 2020
I love Buena Vista. We go out there all the time. But we haven't done the Whitewater Rafting before. We will need to do that.
Jane
Wednesday 2nd of October 2019
Looks like my kind of place to explore! It's perfect for people of all fitness level as well. I'm interested to hike on the 14er - definitely worth the challenge as the views are amazing!.
Emily Schroeter
Wednesday 2nd of October 2019
Yes! Definitely, for all fitness levels! There are tons of different activities too that suite everyone's needs! If you choose an easier 14'er, it really can be easy if you take it slow and at your own pace! But definitely drink plenty of water!