The Salida Ranger District is part of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests. The district encompasses over 440,000 acres of public lands and is located in the central part of Colorado near the towns of Salida, Buena Vista and Poncha Springs. Visitors can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, 4-wheeling and camping surrounded by towering peaks that rise above the valley floor. The Arkansas River flows through the valley and is one of Colorado's premiere whitewater rafting areas.