Welcome to Central Colorado
While the Arkansas River Valley is best known for its rafting in Browns Canyon and the Royal Gorge, opportunities abound for every type of adventure year round. Whether you seek hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, golfing, fishing or just relaxing in a hot springs, central Colorado has what you want and more. And when the day is done, relax and rejuvenate in one of our charming and historic small towns.
Lake, Chaffee, Fremont and Custer Counties
Full of adventure, waiting to be discovered
Lake County is home to Leadville and Twin Lakes, where you’ll find the state’s highest peak, Mt. Elbert, as well as fascinating mining history.
The popular river towns of Buena Vista and Salida are in Chaffee County, but there is plenty to do on land including top-rated mountain bike trails, downhill and cross county skiing, and seemingly endless jeep roads for exploring.
Fremont County is famous for the Royal Gorge Bridge, however, Cañon City and Florence offer great festivals, museums (dinosaurs!) and culture.
Custer County is a largely unknown gem. Our twin towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff overlook a broad valley and stunning peaks, offering small-town sensibilities and year-round Dark Skies star parties.
Explore the icons below to discover your perfect central Colorado vacation.
Explore the history of the area, visit historic townsites, on interpretive mining history trails, or visit a dinosaur museum.
The Central Mountains have the highest concentration of 14ers in Colorado, old mining roads and hundreds of miles of trails.
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.
Enjoy float trips, kayaking, whitewater parks for kayakers, river surfers and SUPs, or convenient fishing access points and high alpine lakes.
Go skiing or snowboarding at Monarch Mountain or Ski Cooper, find miles of groomed trails for snowmobiling, XC skis, snowshoes or fat bike.
