Monarch Mountain will open for the 2020-21 season on November 20, 2020.
Location: Salida
Leadville Railroad
Leadville Train – All Aboard
326 E 7th St, Leadville, CO 80461
Welcome aboard the Leadville Railroad. Join us for a Colorado adventure you will not forget. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the Leadville Railroad is a scenic train trip that provides 2 and 1/2 hours of sightseeing, relaxation, and a little glimpse back in history.
The Leadville Railroad travels north parallel the Arkansas River Valley. Gaining almost 1,000 ft. in Elevation. As you travel, spectacular views of Freemont Pass and the two tallest peaks in Colorado, Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert, show themselves. You will travel through pine forests, aspen groves and view high alpine meadows sprinkled with an array of colorful wildflowers in mid-summer. Bring your camera to try to capture a picture of an eagle, deer, marmots, and even elk.
During the train ride, the conductor will share stories about the history of the railroad, ghost stories, and tales of the wild west. Leadville, founded in 1877, was part of the silver mining boom era and consequently embodied the dramas of strike-it-rich western towns. When the train stops at an old Steam Engine water tank, passengers are able to get off the train and explore the area. Don’t forget to tour the Caboose and Engine and meet the Engineer!
The Leadville Railroad has operated as a scenic train in Leadville, Colorado, since 1988. Their summer season starts on Memorial Day weekend and trips run through the Holidays and into April. Check out their website for details on specialty summer tours like the wildflower tour and BBQ specials. Fall photo specials, Octoberfest in the fall, and our Holiday and Winter express tours from November to April. Due to the high elevation of this train tour, it’s best to come prepared with jackets, hats, gloves, and sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera.
Leadville Train Schedule 
The Leadville Train runs year-round, check their calendar for specific dates. The train ride is approximately 2 plus hours long.
Leadville Special Trains
The Leadville Train celebrates holidays and events throughout the year with special trains. Their winter Holiday Express Train is a seasonal favorite.
Adventure Combo Packages
- Raft and train ride adventure package.
- Rails and zipline adventure package.
- Wildflower tour train ride.
Engine & Caboose Rides
Purchase a special add-on ticket for this extraordinary Leadville train experience.
Group Packages 
Leadville Train offers special pricing on groups of 20 people or more. They try and accommodate groups with discounts according to their needs. If you have questions or would like to see if your group can be accommodated, give them a call 1-866-386-3936 or contact them for more information.
Arkansas River Tours
Arkansas River Tours – Whitewater Rafting
Since 1973, Arkansas River Tours has connected over 300,000 guests to the river on fun whitewater rafting adventures. From family-friendly floats and multi-activity packages to advanced Royal Gorge rafting, Arkansas River Tours has a trip for everyone!
Whether planning a family vacation or weekend getaway, whitewater rafting is the perfect activity to tack on a little adventure. Our goal at Arkansas River Tours is to provide premium whitewater rafting experiences through experiential learning and emphasis on safety. From the courteous office staff to the quirky yet professional guides, Arkansas River Tours is sure to make your Colorado adventure a memorable experience.
Choose an Arkansas River Tours Trip
Not sure which trip to choose? Our support staff is available to help. Our most popular trip is the Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trip. This experience is perfect for families that are looking to “get their feet wet.” For those who have been to Colorado whitewater rafting before, the Royal Gorge river rafting trip is challenging and provides lasting memories for all. Brand new to rafting and not sure where to start? The Cottonwood Family Float trip offers wildlife viewing and an introduction to the river environment. Spending the day in nature with your young ones is the perfect way to eliminate screen time and show them the great outdoors!
Book Your Arkansas River Rafting Trip With Arkansas River Tours!
River Runners
Raft the Royal Gorge and other famous sections of the Arkansas River. Choose from half-day, full-day and overnight rafting trips on all levels of whitewater.
A Raft Masters Adventure
The Passion of Raft Masters
Raft Masters has been in business under the same ownership since 1989. Few rafting companies can boast of that length of continuous dedication and service. At Raft Masters, we strive to be the BEST rafting company in Colorado by offering professional rafting experiences with competitive prices. Our attention to your comfort, safety, and enjoyment is reflected in our guides and equipment – nothing but the best. Learn More about why we are the rafting company you should choose for the best combination of safety and fun for the entire family. From a half-day of rafting the serene and kid-friendly Family Float and the mid-level Bighorn Sheep Canyon (Class 1-III), to full day and wildly-exciting Class V whitewater adventures in the Royal Gorge, we truly have a raft trip for everyone.
At Raft Masters, Colorado whitewater rafting isn’t just a business – it’s our passion. No other Colorado rafting company does it as we do. We have been in business under the same ownership since 1989 and we stake our reputation on providing professional, high-quality, whitewater rafting adventures dedicated to your comfort, safety, and enjoyment. But, we don’t want you to take our word for it. Please take a minute to read our TripAdvisor reviews, where we’ve received 5-star ratings from over 700 people, as of summer 2019.
Select Your Adventure Trip
Raft Masters offers exclusive rafting trips and combination packages along both the Clear Creek (40 minutes west of downtown Denver) and the Arkansas River (2 hours south of Denver and 1 hour southwest of Colorado Springs). We have the perfect whitewater excursion for rafters of every skill level, and for just about any group size. In fact, we specialize in large group outings – from school field trips to business team-building functions. Planning a party, wedding or another event? Contact us for group rates and information.
Quality wet-suits, river boots, and paddle jackets that are essential for your safety and comfort are provided by Raft Masters to all rafters at no charge. We want your day to be enjoyable, so you can “experience the thrill without the chill.” We’re also the only Colorado whitewater rafting outfitter that requires – and provides – safety helmets on all trips. Raft Masters is open year-round for reservations, with our rafting season running from March thru September, depending on water levels. If you’re feeling more adventurous, multi-day overnight trips are available too!
Have more questions? Vist our FAQ’s page or give us a call at 719-275-6645. We look forward to seeing you on the river soon!
Play Dirty ATV
Play Dirty ATV Tours, whether it be a private tour or rental, come get dirty with us. It’s fun.
Colorado Destinations
Unique Colorado Destination
Colorado’s cities and towns are as diverse and beautiful as its landscape.
The culturally rich city of Denver and the quiet mountain escape of Aspen are all attractive Colorado destinations. Colorado has a vacation destination for everyone. Are the high mountain peaks calling your name? Get to know Colorado and plan your trip to check off everything on your bucket list. Rafting, skiing, hiking, art shows, concerts, mountain biking, cycling, dining, fishing, mountain retreats, exploring nature, and much more. Coloradoinfo.com has divided Colorado into 3 regions. Each of these regions represents unique characteristics and proximity.
View our interactive regional map of Colorado to take a closer look and find the locations you want to visit.
Order a free Colorado vacation planning guide to help you find the perfect vacation spot!
The Central Mountains
The heart of the Rocky Mountains spans the state north to south, and is home to the highest elevated cities and towns in the country, which feature over two dozen ski resorts. This region is Colorado’s gem for world-famous ski areas, mountain lifestyle, and activities.
The Rockies Playground, recently named by the Colorado Tourism Office, is the most central region of the Rocky Mountains and includes some of Colorado’s most famous resort towns. Due to their close proximity and popularity as ski resorts, the name was chosen to appeal to potential tourists. This region’s towns include Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, Dillon and Leadville. However, significant resort towns lie north and south of the playground region, including Steamboat Springs in north-central Colorado. Resort towns in south-central Colorado include: Crested Butte, Monarch, Del Norte, Powderhorn and Wolf Creek. The Central Mountains region captures almost all of the mountain towns north to south, aside from Telluride and Durango.
The Central Mountains region includes several spectacular national forests.
All of which include amazing mountain scenery, wildlife, trail systems, nearby camping and towns. From north to south:
- Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Steamboat Springs is a ski town. A large area with a variety of mountain attractions. - White River National Forest
The Rockies Playground, many ski resort towns. Engulfed in mountain recreation. - Pike and San Isabel National Forest
The Royal Gorge attraction. This area is rich with wilderness, fourteeners, Backpacking, Camping…More on recreation. - Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest
Crested Butte ski resort and nearby Gunnison. A variety of summer & winter recreation. - Rio Grande National Forest
Wolf Creek ski resort, nearby towns Pagosa Springs and Alamosa, lie within the Mystic San Luis Valley. A huge wilderness area including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Alamosa National Refuge. This area is considered Colorado’s undiscovered jewel. Discover solitude and self-reliance.
The Front Range & Plains
A way of referring to how the plains of Colorado meet the eastern slope of the continental divide.
If you want to watch a Broadway show or enjoy a museum exhibit, you will have the most options in the Front Range. The urban cities of Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs are well known for their performing arts, museums, and cultural festivals.
Don’t Miss Front Range Colorado Destination
The Front Range region includes notable attractions such as Estes Park, the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
Pikes Peak, a whole family mountain attraction, lies just west of Colorado Springs. Featuring a scenic train, rafting, horseback riding and much more.
Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an amazing music venue in the foothills west of Denver.
Colorado’s Western Slope
A general way of referring to Northwest and Southwest Colorado.
The Western Slope is a much more remote experience. Grand Junction is the largest city in the area and is often referred to as a city with a small-town feel. This high plains region is rich in agriculture, canyonlands, and warmer weather. Offering up a distinctively unique variety of Colorado destinations.
Northwest Colorado, or The Great West
Features of this area are the national parks such as Dinosaur National Park, the remote Brown’s Park, and the wild horses of the Sand Wash Basin. This area is popular with outdoor enthusiasts offering a variety of camping, RV parks, off-road vehicles, horseback riding, rafting, cycling and exploring in general. While the mountains are melting down, northwest Colorado is in full bloom.
Southwest Colorado, or The Mountain Mesas
Another very diverse region of Colorado with a mix of Colorado destinations and ski resort towns such as Telluride, and Durango. Complemented by Montrose, a very agricultural community but also rich with adventure. In the very southwest corner of Colorado is Cortez. Surrounded by big attractions such as Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley . Cortez is also the gateway to the Four Corners and the Canyonlands of Utah
Royal Gorge Region
Welcome to the Royal Gorge Region
The Royal Gorge Region, is a great vacation choice among many beautiful and fun Colorado destinations. Base your adventure in Cañon City, the “Climate Capital of Colorado”! Where it is warmer, dryer and sunnier than Colorado Springs and Denver. Close and convenient, but without the crowds and traffic that can overwhelm other popular destinations.
Request a FREE visitors guide or email about the Royal Gorge Region.
Attractions
Families and visitors of all ages will find there are loads of options to enjoy the area’s amazing scenery or participate in some real Colorado fun,
- Experience the Royal Gorge via the Royal Gorge Route scenic train.
- Take a guided jeep tour.
- Check out the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Take in the sweeping mountain vistas from America’s highest suspension bridge, or sign up for some of the other Park’s adventure experiences.
- Sit back and enjoy a glass of wine from the local, award-winning winery.
- Explore the unique geography while hiking or mountain biking.
Many visitors consider the Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River the finest natural assets. America’s top destination for whitewater rafting and anglers relish the fact that it is the country’s longest stretch of Gold Medal Trout water. The trail networks offer something for every ability level, whether on foot or a bicycle. Up for a challenge? Check out mountain bike trails or world-class rock climbing. Try the exhilarating experience of ziplining across the gorge, plus classic and extreme courses above treetops and canyons.
Downtown Cañon City
Don’t forget to visit the region’s museums, history and heritage sites. Downtown Cañon City and Florence are both hidden gems offering quaint, locally-owned shops, farmer’s markets, restaurants, breweries, and annual festivals. Learn about dinosaurs that roamed this land 150 million years ago through outstanding indoor and outdoor exhibits and interpretive trails. Check out the Royal Gorge Dinosaur experience just north of Canon City. They have all kinds of fun for the kids including interactive exhibits.
Plan more than a day to experience all the Royal Gorge Region has to offer. The recommendation is to spend at least a night, or more. Options include hotels, motels, cabins, B&B’s, full-service and forest campgrounds, or even glamping! Enjoy your visit! Cañon City looks forward to welcoming you to the attractions and activities that await in the Royal Gorge Region. Safe travels.
Fremont County Tourism Council
Salida
Find Adventure in Salida, Colorado
Visitors are lured to Salida by the abundance of outdoor activities, art galleries and shops, local history and the natural scenic beauty of the area. Bordered on the west by the Continental Divide and on the east by the Arkansas River, Salida’s location is ideal for both adventure and relaxation. The Arkansas River runs through downtown Salida and is a playground for rafters, kayakers, paddle-boarders and “beach lovers.” For over 70 years Salida has been the site of FIBArk, the nation’s longest-running whitewater-rafting competition held annually in mid-June. The Arkansas River is recognized as a Gold Medal designation with the highest quality cold-water habitat for fish.
Salida is also a great place to relax, with spas, wellness centers, and hot springs. The downtown Creative District is packed with art galleries, restaurants, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, antique shops and all types of boutique shopping. Treat the kids to the adventures awaiting in family-friendly Salida.