Buena Vista, Colorado 2011

My Favorite Colorado KOA campground

Although Buena Vista, Colorado, is known for its outdoor sports activities like white water rafting, hiking, kayaking, and fly fishing, this visit was all about relaxing, reflecting on life, and taking in the spectacular views.

We stayed at my favorite Colorado KOA campground, just a few miles S.E. of Buena Vista, on a ridge that overlooks the Arkansas River Valley with the towering Collegiate Peaks as a backdrop.  Sunsets are rich and full of color, and the starry night skies are just as spectacular.

Buena Vista sits between two great day trip destinations - Leadville and Salida.    Leadville is a historic mining town with museums and antique stores.  Salida, is more of an artist community with many studios, coffee shops and boutique stores.  Both towns are fun to explore.

We hope to return again soon to take advantage of the adventurous side of Buena Vista and check out the rafting and hiking opportunities.   This time though, Buena Vista made a perfect destination to just sit back, relax, and recharge.

If you go:

Enjoying some of the art displays in Salida

Buena Vista is located about 120 miles SW of Denver, and it is about a  2 1/2 hour drive.  We stayed at the Buena Vista KOA, which offers many amenities such as a laundry, hot showers, flush toilets, game room, horse rides, ice cream socials, breakfast canteen, and pizza on Fri and Sat nights.  The campground is mainly dirt/rock roads on a terraced and groomed hillside.   Many sites have water and electricity, and some have sewer hookups.  For the best unobstructed views that overlook the campground and the Arkansas Valley, I recommend sites B28 and B27.