Little Cottonwood Creek

Little Cottonwood Creek (FS 185D) is a natural rollercoaster of a trail winding through stands of Ponderosa pine and aspen forest, with constant climbs, dips, and sweeping turns that reveal one jaw-dropping view after another, giving peaks of the Arkansas River Valley below and a stunning skyline of Colorado’s fourteen-thousand-foot peaks, such as Shavano, Tabeguache, Antero, and Princeton, standing proudly to the west.

Set between Salida and Buena Vista, this scenic route is part of the expansive Fourmile Recreation Area, a playground for outdoor adventure. It’s the kind of place where you can spend a morning exploring rugged forest roads, an afternoon rafting the Arkansas, and an evening relaxing beside a campfire under endless stars.

The surrounding terrain invites you to stay awhile with ample opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and exploring nearby Brown’s Canyon National Monument. Every twist of Little Cottonwood Creek feels alive with that signature Colorado blend of wild beauty and endless possibility.