Summer Day Trips from Denver: Buena Vista + Cottonwood Pass
Cottonwood Pass - Photo by Caleb Jack on Unsplash
If your ideal Colorado summer day includes big mountain views, rushing rivers, hot springs, and a really good patio, Buena Vista delivers.
About two hours from Denver, Buena Vista sits in the Arkansas River Valley with the Collegiate Peaks towering nearby. Add a drive over spectacular Cottonwood Pass and you've got a day trip that packs a whole lot of Colorado into one day.
Why We Love It
Buena Vista, or "BV" once you've decided you're basically a local, has managed to hold onto its laid-back mountain-town personality while adding great restaurants, breweries, shops, and plenty of outdoor adventure.
You can raft in the morning, grab lunch downtown, drive one of Colorado's prettiest mountain passes, and finish with a soak in a natural hot spring.
That's a pretty solid Tuesday. Or Saturday. We're not judging.
What to Do
Explore Downtown Buena Vista
Start with some time in downtown Buena Vista, where historic buildings mix with locally owned shops, restaurants, coffee spots, and galleries.
Then head over to South Main, a newer neighborhood along the Arkansas River that's become a destination of its own. You'll find restaurants, shops, trails, river access, and plenty of spots to sit outside and enjoy the mountain views.
Go Rafting on the Arkansas River
The Arkansas River is one of Colorado's premier whitewater rafting destinations, with options ranging from relatively mellow family floats to serious whitewater adventures.
Browns Canyon National Monument is one of the area's most popular rafting sections, combining rapids with spectacular canyon and mountain scenery.
If rafting isn't your thing, you can still enjoy the river from trails, parks, and picnic areas around town.
Drive Cottonwood Pass
This one is worth the trip all by itself.
Cottonwood Pass climbs to more than 12,000 feet and crosses the Continental Divide, with huge views of the Sawatch Range in nearly every direction.
Pull over at the summit and take the short walk to the overlook. You'll get high-alpine scenery without having to hike a fourteener to see it. We call that working smarter, not harder.
The pass is seasonal and typically accessible during the warmer months, so check road conditions before heading out.
Soak at Mount Princeton Hot Springs
After hiking, rafting, or driving mountain roads all day, this is a pretty great way to finish.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort features naturally heated mineral pools surrounded by views of the Collegiate Peaks. Depending on the area you visit, you'll find everything from soaking pools to creekside hot springs and larger recreation pools.
Day passes are available, but reservations are a good idea during busy summer weekends.
Plan your visit here.
Hit the Trails
The Buena Vista area has hiking options ranging from easy riverside walks to challenging alpine adventures.
A few options include:
Barbara Whipple Trail
Midland Trail
Cottonwood Pass trails
Browns Creek Falls
If you've already packed rafting, Cottonwood Pass, and hot springs into your day, there's also absolutely nothing wrong with calling a short riverside stroll your hike.
Pro Tips
Leave Denver early. This is one of the longer day trips in the series, and you'll want plenty of time once you arrive.
Reserve rafting trips and hot springs passes ahead of time during busy summer weekends.
Bring layers. Temperatures on Cottonwood Pass can be dramatically cooler than in Buena Vista.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common at higher elevations, so tackle hiking and Cottonwood Pass earlier in the day.
Check Cottonwood Pass road conditions before leaving.
Bring a swimsuit. Even if hot springs aren't part of the original plan, you may change your mind.
Drive Time from Denver
Approximately 2 to 2½ hours each way, depending on traffic and your route.
It's a longer day trip, but this one earns the extra windshield time.
Perfect For:
Adventure seekers
Scenic drive lovers
Couples
Families
Whitewater rafting
Hot springs fans
Anyone who wants a serious dose of Colorado scenery
One More Thing...
If you're trying to do Buena Vista, rafting, Cottonwood Pass, and Mount Princeton Hot Springs all in one day, start early and don't over-schedule yourself.
You could easily spend an entire weekend here, but that's part of what makes Buena Vista such a great day trip. Pick two or three things, enjoy the scenery, and save the rest for your next visit.
Because once you've spent a summer day in BV, there's a pretty good chance there will be a next visit.
Want to learn more about things to do in Denver? Book a Discovery Meeting with us today.
