Colorado Official State Vacation Guide 2008 - (Page 18) South Central Regional Overview Near Buena Vista ©Matt Inden/Weaver South Central Great Sand Dunes National Park ©Ben Blankenburg/istockphoto.com TheLand With 29 of the state’s 54 fourteeners (a peak at 14,000 feet or higher), the South Central Region is the loftiest area in Colorado. Just outside of Leadville is the tallest mountain in the state, Mount Elbert (14,440 feet), with the headwaters of the Arkansas River nearby. Miles downstream, this mighty torrent of water delights rafters in Browns Canyon and the Royal Gorge. Another famous river, the Rio Grande, gives life to the San Luis Valley, a massive intermontane area that harbors the tallest sand dunes in North America, which were recently deemed a national park. Pikes Peak from Garden of the Gods Downtown Colorado Springs ©Ben Blankenburg/istockphoto.com Rafting on the Arkansas River Downtown Leadville ©Scott Warren/Aurora Photos TheCulture Shawnee It’s hard to pin down one overarching culturGrab at the sky from atop Pikes Peak, yelp for joy from Alma al trait to this region, in large part because the span of the Royal Gorge Bridge near Cañon City Fairplay Leadville the area is so varied. Colorado Springs and sink your toes into the 285 Lake George is famous for the Air Force Academy, finest sandbox in North Twin Divide Woodland Park Lakes 24 Florissant but the city also claims the U.S. Olympic America at the Great Sand Colorado Florissant Fossil Cascade Buena Beds NM Manitou Springs Springs Training Center and a superb Fine Arts Dunes National Park and Vista Center. In the San Luis Valley, a rich Hispanic Preserve. There is no Cripple Creek 25 Victor Salida heritage permeates the agricultural doubt about it — the South Poncha 50 communities of Alamosa and Central Region is a natural Springs Cañon San Luis, the latter of which is playground, and if you’re keen City the state’s oldest town. Farther for adventure, this is the place to be. But the area Westcliffe 285 Silver Cliff north, in the Arkansas River is also great for exploring the cultural heritage of Moffat Crestone Valley, ranchers tend to the American Southwest, as well as the history of Creede cattle while artisans and the silver boom in towns like Leadville and Creede. Del Great Sand Dunes NP South Norte adventurers give Buena Finish any day off with a dip in the hot springs found Fork Vista and Salida a vitality along the Arkansas River and in the San Luis Valley. Monte Vista Fort all their own. Alamosa Garland 285 TheDraw 18 1-800-Colorado | www.colorado.com Conejos San Luis Antonito ©Denise Chambers/Weaver ©Richard Cummins http://www.colorado.com
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