A-frames near Salt Creek with hiking

A tiny town just outside Pueblo, Salt Creek sits just south of the mighty Arkansas River and offers all sorts of opportunities for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and fishing. It’s a great jumping-off point for exploring Royal Gorge, the old gold rush towns of Cripple Creek and Victor, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Services are limited in Salt Creek, but you’ll find everything you could need in neighboring Pueblo. Popular nearby camping spots include Lake Pueblo State Park and RV parks along the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway. 

Pueblo

Just five minutes from Salt Creek, Pueblo is popular with paddle sports enthusiasts. The Arkansas River flows through town and even has a man-made whitewater park within walking distance of downtown. Campers will find several RV parks on the outskirts, plus plenty of lakeside campsites at Lake Pueblo State Park, just 20 minutes west of Pueblo.    

Cripple Creek

The famous old gold rush town of Cripple Creek is a little less than two hours from Salt Creek via the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway. The entire route winds 131 miles through some of Colorado’s biggest gold rush areas and offers mining ruins and historic sites to see along the way. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is one of the top attractions in the area with incredible views of this 1,200-foot deep canyon carved by the Arkansa River. 

Westcliffe

Heading west from Salt Creek towards the jagged Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Westcliffe is a quiet community nestled at the base of the mountains and the perfect basecamp for adventures into this lesser-known range. Hikers and mountain bikers will find over 100 miles of trails to explore, and climbers can tackle challenging peaks, including 10 over 14,000 feet. Several national forest campgrounds and dispersed camping options are easily accessible west of town. 

Salt Creek’s mild year-round temperatures make it a worthwhile destination any time of year. Plus, this region doesn’t see as much traffic as some of Colorado’s more popular mountain towns, making it an excellent option for avoiding summertime crowds. April through August is typically the best time for rafting and kayaking on the Arkansas River, and hiking and camping in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is best from June through September. Many Salt Creek area campgrounds, including the campgrounds at Lake Pueblo State Park, remain open year-round.  

1. Services are limited in Salt Creek, Colorado but you should be able to find everything you need in terms of groceries and last-minute camping items in nearby Pueblo. 
2. Campground reservations are strongly recommended at Lake Pueblo State Park in summer. Reservations can be made online and over the phone six months in advance.
3. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available in Pueblo and at Lake Pueblo State Park.