Pike & San Isabel National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche National Grasslands

USDA Forest Service
Pike & San Isabel
National Forests
Cimarron & Comanche
National Grasslands
2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400

Telephone for the
Hearing Impaired
719-553-1404

Salida Ranger District

325 West Rainbow Blvd.
Salida, CO 81201

Phone (719) 539-3591
Fax (719) 539-3593

Mount Shavano

The Salida Ranger District is part of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The district encompasses over 440,000 acres of public lands and is located in the central part of Colorado near the towns of Salida, Buena Vista and Poncha Springs. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, 4-wheeling and camping surrounded by towering peaks that rise above the valley floor. The Arkansas River flows through the valley and is one of Colorado's premiere whitewater rafting areas. 

THE CLIMATE

Elevations in the Upper Arkansas River valley vary from 7,000 to over 14,000 feet. Temperatures vary throughout the year from the low teens in the winter to the 80's during the summer months. The valley is known locally as the "Banana Belt of Colorado" because of the generally mild temperatures and sunny days. Springtime can be deceptive with sporadic spring snowstorms occurring from March to May. During the summer months, days are warm with cool nights. Afternoon thundershowers are common during July and August. The fall months are are generally dry and sunny with cooler morning temperatures. 

THE AREA

Nearly 80% of Chaffee County lands are managed by Federal and State agencies as "public lands". The main river corridor is managed by Colorado State Parks and the Bureau of Land Management. The Colorado State Forest Service manages designated state lands throughout the county with the U.S. Forest Service managing most forested and high elevation portions of the valley. 

District boundaries encompass a portion of the Sangre de Cristo mountains west to the Continental Divide and Monarch Pass ( 11,386 feet) and south to Poncha Pass (9,015 feet). The northern boundary stops north of Buena Vista and splits the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness area between the Salida and Leadville Ranger Districts. The eastern boundary of the District is situated northeast of Salida and meanders north towards Trout Creek Pass. 

THE LAND

The landscape on National Forest lands varies from desert-like pinon and juniper forests in the foothills to majestic Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir in the montane zone. High elevations areas from 9,200 to 11,000 feet are abundant with moisture seeking trees such as the Engelmann spruce and Subalpine fir. Alpine areas are located from 10,500 feet to 14,000 feet and are devoid of trees with short scrubby bushes and tough alpine grasses. Wildflowers abound throughout the subalpine zone and mid-summer displays are a riot of colors in high mountain meadows. Aspen groves are scattered throughout the forest and bring forth golden bands of foliage during the fall.

OUR MISSION

"Caring for the Land and Serving People"

Our mission is to achieve quality land management under the sustainable multiple-use management concept to meet the diverse needs of people. 

LOCAL INFORMATION

HEART OF THE ROCKIES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

406 W. Hwy 50

Salida, CO 81201

info@salidachamber.org
877.772.5432
719.539.2068
Fax 719.539.7844

BUENA VISTA CHAMBER

OF COMMERCE

343 Hwy 24 South,

PO Box 2021

Buena Vista, CO 81211
Phone: (719) 395-6612