History
The Upper Arkansas River Valley runs deep with mining and railroad history. Old mining claims and boom/bust towns, such as St. Elmo near Buena Vista, help us glimpse the past. Leadville highlights is mining heritage, from the Historic Tabor Opera House to the World War II ruins at Camp Hale. Hop aboard the Royal Gorge Railroad Route on a journey through a 10-mile canyon or follow a bike trail along a former rail grade. Explore the Silver Cliff museum and Florence’s row of antique vendors.
Choose your adventure
Enjoy float trips, kayaking, whitewater parks for kayakers, river surfers and SUPs, or convenient fishing access points and high alpine lakes.
Explore the history of the area, visit historic townsites, on interpretive mining history trails, or visit a dinosaur museum.
Experience an adrenaline-filled activity at a zipline or adventure parks, or spend a day relaxing day with a round of golf or soaking in a natural hot springs.
The Central Mountains have the highest concentration of 14ers in Colorado, old mining roads and hundreds of miles of trails.
Go skiing or snowboarding at Monarch Mountain or Ski Cooper, find miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling, XC skis, snowshoes or fat bike.
