Salida East Recreation Site

Got here by 6pm on a Monday and had the pick of most sites. We opted for the “deluxe” $18 a night site (+$7 vehicle fee). Has a nice table and tent pad (not needed). We chose site 14. It was tucked into a corner surrounded by trees and a stones throw from the river. Site was level and felt very secluded since no one took the site next ... more

Great spot on the river but it could use some trees for shade. Also got very windy on us both days we stayed. The spots are pretty spread out and it really didn’t fill up midweek in June anyway so we felt like we had space. They have improved a lot of the sites with fire rings and picnic tables as well as tent pads (though a neighbor t... more

State is renovating this entire area so it currently closed. Probably will be that way for months.

We stayed here October 26-27. As of November 1, this is no longer a free site. Rates will be $10/site, and $7/camping pass, so $17/night total. We had a nice level site overlooking the river. There is a little road noise, but it wasn't too bad in our site. Most sites are closer to the road than ours was, however. As of right now sit... more

We've been in the Salida area several times but this was our first time staying here. We wanted somewhere to hang out close to town over the Labor Day holiday and the price was right. We got a great site well off the dusty main road above the Arkansas River, which we could hear but not see for the trees. Our spot was large and private ... more

This is basically just a roadside camping area, but it made a great overnight stay. In my opinion it would not be somewhere I would want to stay for more than a couple of days but it is nicely located to the fun town of Salida. We have a 40' fifth wheel and had plenty of room. There were a number of other big rigs there as well as s... more

I worked in Salida last summer so the positives of this camp were it was easy to drive in/out and close to work. The view from my first site was stellar, even if it required serious leveling with blocks riverside. I visited two different times in summer 2016, once while the camp host was on-site July, another after he had left (Septem... more

This campground is a true gem. With numerous spots spread out (some with tables and/or fire rings, some completely bare), this is a fantastic way to explore Salida and the surrounding trails and sights. Sights vary in size, we got a site close to the middle area of the campground that gave us INCREDIBLE mountain views. Site was very... more

Wayside-style dirt camping next to the rushing Arkansas, with truck noise in the background. Good for the price (free), but feels a little claustrophobic, given the many other boondockers in the area, the coming and going of day rafters and the truck noise in the background. You can't walk out of here, either, unless you don't mind nar... more

The campsite is called Salida East Recreation Area and is located in Bighorn Canyon. We arrived Salida East in the beginning of April 2015 and stayed for the full two weeks that campers are allowed to stay. Because it was still early in the year, Salida East wasn't as crowded as it probably gets during the summer months. There wasn't e... more