An eco-friendly, community-focused hostel in historic downtown Salida offering woodsy dorms, private rooms, a communal kitchen, and free loaner cruiser bikes.
Simple Lodge & Hostel, located at 224 East 1st Street in the heart of historic downtown Salida, Colorado, serves as a community-centered basecamp for travelers, thru-hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Owned and operated by Jillian and Justin Way, who took over and refreshed the property in 2022, the lodge provides affordable, down-to-earth lodging with genuine local character. Jillian, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Mongolia, is a trained herbalist and nutritionist who frequently leads foraging workshops for the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. The historic building is positioned just one block from Riverside Park and two blocks from the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, offering immediate walkability to the banks of the Arkansas River, local gear shops, and downtown cafes. Rather than catering to luxury seekers, the lodge prioritizes a welcoming, shared environment where guests can swap trail notes, dry out their gear, and rest comfortably after long days on the river or in the nearby high country.
Sustainability and resourcefulness define the hostel's daily operations, reflecting the owners' deep commitment to conservation. The interior spaces feature upcycled materials, thrifted furniture, and local artwork from a thoughtful remodel, creating a funky, artistic aesthetic that reflects the creative spirit of Salida. To minimize its environmental footprint, the property utilizes energy-efficient appliances, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and earth-friendly cleaning products. Guests are encouraged to participate in the lodge’s comprehensive recycling and composting programs, and the communal kitchen features shared food shelves to help reduce food waste among departing travelers. This commitment to conservation resonates deeply with the community of Continental Divide Trail and Colorado Trail hikers who frequently use the lodge as a crucial resupply stop during the summer months.
Accommodations at the lodge are straightforward and functional, offering a choice between woodsy dorm rooms with sturdy wooden bunk beds, cozy private rooms, and a fully equipped private suite upstairs. This upstairs apartment features a full kitchen, a private bathroom with a bathtub, a living room, and a scenic back porch. All guests have access to clean shared bathrooms, a small laundromat, and a fully equipped communal kitchen stocked with cookware, utensils, spices, and complimentary morning coffee and pancake mix. A secure outdoor patio provides free bike storage, while loaner cruiser bikes are available for guests to explore the town. An indoor gear room offers dedicated space to stash skis, snowboards, and heavy backpacks. The property is also famously pet-friendly, allowing guests who book private rooms to bring along their well-mannered dogs for a small nightly fee, ensuring that four-legged trail companions are just as welcome as their owners.
Thru-hikers on the Colorado Trail or Continental Divide Trail can mail resupply packages directly to the lodge, where the staff will hold them securely until your arrival in town.
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