Tucked up against a stark, moonscape granite wall on one side and into a gorgeous, pine-dappled bowl on the other, this is one of the most picturesque picnic spots in the area. Reachable by car or a strenuous bike ride, it's another 3 miles on a dirt road to the left off the main County Rd 306. A good spot for fishing and paddle boarding.
Cottonwood Lake
Central Colorado
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
28.38 MILES
Just 16 miles east of Aspen, at the foot of Independence Pass, this gold-mining boom town turned ghost town started as a tented camp in the summer of 1879…
23.13 MILES
This park has it all. There's a bandshell with free concerts on Thursday nights in the summer at 6pm, picnic tables and good spots to sit by the river to…
9.69 MILES
Take E Main St to its riverside conclusion and you'll find a park that sprawls for more than 2 miles along the Arkansas River. At its northern end are…
9.36 MILES
Housed in the 1882 Chaffee County Courthouse, the museum focuses on railroad and mining exhibits (there's a great model railroad of the Arkansas River…
5.86 MILES
Once a pioneer homestead belonging to an impressive local woman, it's now a small wildlife sanctuary. There's no access – you can only view wildlife from…
23.1 MILES
The local history museum has a small selection of artifacts and old photos. It's staffed by volunteers and not always open.
Nearby Central Colorado attractions
5.86 MILES
Once a pioneer homestead belonging to an impressive local woman, it's now a small wildlife sanctuary. There's no access – you can only view wildlife from…
2. Buena Vista Heritage Museum
9.36 MILES
Housed in the 1882 Chaffee County Courthouse, the museum focuses on railroad and mining exhibits (there's a great model railroad of the Arkansas River…
9.69 MILES
Take E Main St to its riverside conclusion and you'll find a park that sprawls for more than 2 miles along the Arkansas River. At its northern end are…
23.1 MILES
The local history museum has a small selection of artifacts and old photos. It's staffed by volunteers and not always open.
23.13 MILES
This park has it all. There's a bandshell with free concerts on Thursday nights in the summer at 6pm, picnic tables and good spots to sit by the river to…
28.38 MILES
Just 16 miles east of Aspen, at the foot of Independence Pass, this gold-mining boom town turned ghost town started as a tented camp in the summer of 1879…