Known as the Whitewater Capital of Colorado, the picturesque town of  Buena Vista is one of the major gateways to recreation in the 1,109,782 acre San Isabel National Forest and the 148 mile long Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.  Here you'll find larger than life mountains, a louder than life river, a respectful bow to the past, and an artful eye toward the future.

Buena Vista, Colorado, nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountain's Collegiate Peaks, on the east slope of the Continental Divide,  is the sort of community most people only dream of. The hard working, quiet people who have always resided in this area are a large part of what has made this town a great place to live and play.

Buena Vista, (Spanish for "Good View")  is aptly named.  There are 19 trailheads for most of Chaffee County's 14,000 peaks - all located within an hour of Buena Vista.  There are approximately 300 days  with sunshine every year, with surprisingly mild temperatures in all seasons.    Buena Vista is considered by many the capital of whitewater rafting for the United States.  Many Arkansas Valley outfitters use the Buena Vista area for launch sites to some of the country's best whitewater rafting down the exciting Arkansas River, and you'll understand why Buena Vista is both a vacationer's destination of choice for peaceful relaxation, AND a targeted destination for business, personal or retirement relocation.  Fishing, mountain biking, hiking, and rafting, combined with one of the state's most acclaimed art communities, makes Buena Vista a "don't miss" for visitors and a "place to move" for those looking for a peaceful area to relocate a business and family.

 

The mountains bordering Buena Vista  have a profound effect on the climate. Annual rainfall is 10-12 inches making it comparable to places in Arizona. The surrounding high peaks receive considerably higher amounts of precipitation and thus provide the valley with ample irrigation water during the growing season.  The semi-arid climate provides very little humidity and the average summer highs are 78-80 degrees and winter highs from 45-55 degrees with lows in the teens. The locals refer to the area as the "Banana Belt of the Rockies" and enjoy outdoor activities year round.

When the snow falls the ski season starts. The Monarch Ski Area, just minutes from Buena Vista, is said to have the best natural snowfall each year. There are numerous trails to enjoy in the high country if cross country is your preference. Other popular winter sports are snowmobiling in the mountains and ice fishing on frozen lakes

Some of the spring and summer activities include hiking, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, off-road exploring, and golf.

The economy and population are steady and thriving. The beautiful scenery, tree-lined streets, year-round mild climate, clean air, and clear sparkling water are just some of the things that make Buena Vista a truly great place to live, work, and visit.