Buena Vista is nestled in a high-mountain valley at 8,000 feet above sea level and is bordered on the west by a row of 14,000+ foot peaks along the Continental Divide and the Arkansas River and the foot hills of the Mosquito Range to the east. This valley offers a very moderate climate and is known as the “banana belt” of Colorado. The mountain range to the west has 15 of Colorado’s 54-14,000 foot peaks and more than 160 peaks of 13,000 feet or more. The Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail pass through the high country to the west of town. On the east side, the Arkansas River offers some of the best white water adventure in the country as well as great fly-fishing. For skiers, Monarch and Copper Mountain are both about one hour away and Vail and Keystone are one hour and twenty minutes away. Bikers of all types find the valley a great place to play. Denver is about 120 miles away, Colorado Springs is 100 miles and Santa Fe is about a four hour drive to the south. Access to the valley is very easy by road and Buena Vista has a great airport, easily able to handle private jets.
