This Quiet Colorado City Is Hiding In Plain Sight
With over 39,000 miles of hiking trails, at least 28 ski resorts, and 13 national park service sites, Colorado’s beauty is off the charts. It is no wonder that around 95 million people visit the state each year! However, if you find yourself seeking a quieter alternative to its national parks and tourist hubs, Cañon City should be on your radar.
This small town, with a population of roughly 17,000 residents, is just an hour southwest of Colorado Springs and is the ultimate destination for outdoor recreation. Not only does it have a fantastic selection of hiking trails, but it is also renowned for its rafting and rock climbing. To top it all off, a scenic railroad departs right from the town center, winding its way through a gorgeous gorge! So pack your climbing gear, strap on your boots, and get ready to explore the beautiful, underrated town of Cañon City.
Red Canyon Park
Colorado Congressman Guy U. Hardy, who served from 1919 to 1933, recognized the remarkable natural beauty around Cañon City and worked to have the surrounding area designated as a national park. Although his proposal never advanced, in 1923, he did succeed in setting aside 600 acres of red sandstone formations, canyons, and cliffs overlooking Four Mile Creek as a local park. Today, this area is home to Red Canyon Park and Garden Park, with Red Canyon Park located just 20 minutes north of Cañon City.
As the name may suggest, Red Canyon Park is home to red rock formations that were sculptured by weather and erosion to form monoliths and narrow canyons. One of the park’s most popular routes is the Red Canyon Hike, which begins at a parking area about a mile from Red Canyon Road and follows a dry creek bed. Towering rock walls rise on both sides, creating canyon-like surroundings along the way. Following a laid-back hike, you can also pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in one of the park’s picnic sites.
Whitewater Rafting
In addition to its red rock hikes, Cañon City is famous for its whitewater rafting, with several local outfitters offering excursions that depart from town. Arkansas River Tours, for example, has been leading excursions for over 50 years and offers a couple of notable rafting trips, depending on your skill level. If you’re a beginner rafter or prefer a more relaxed trip, you will love rafting down Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The half-day trip departs directly from Cañon City and features a mix of calm stretches of water and exciting rapids on the Arkansas River. The rapids range from Class II to Class III, with a minimum age requirement of seven for this trip.
If you are up for a true thrill, Arkansas River Tours also hosts a rafting trip down the Royal Gorge. With rapids ranging between III and IV+, rafters during this river trip can expect a fairly continuous succession of rapids with large waves and steep technical drops. This tour also departs right from town, with a minimum age of 14 years old.
Rock Climbing
The adrenaline in Cañon City continues, with rock climbing up next on the itinerary. Just a short drive north of town, you’ll reach one of the best rock climbing areas in Colorado: Shelf Road. This area is home to hundreds of vertical limestone sport routes, with spring and fall being the best seasons for a climb. The Bank is one of the most well-known climbing areas at Shelf Road, offering numerous climbs ranging from 5.7 to 5.13. Cactus Cliff is another great option, receiving ample sunlight and suitable for climbing during most of the year. This area is considered extremely well-rounded, featuring routes of every grade from 5.7 to 5.14a. Other routes to keep an eye out for include Sand Gulch and The Gallery.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad
It is impossible to talk about Cañon City without mentioning the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This railroad departs from the heart of town and winds through the Royal Gorge, surrounding travelers with 1,000-foot canyon walls and the Arkansas River running beside them. When the weather is nice, passengers can step out onto the train’s open-air cars, enjoying the breeze and keeping their eye out for wildlife like bighorn sheep and eagles. Or visit in November through December to take a ride on the seasonal Santa Express Train, which runs daily and features festive details onboard like 313 hand-painted snowflakes, 40 hand-painted pine trees, and hand-spun gold-leaf paint. The train runs through the gorge, picking up Santa Claus himself, who then goes through to greet every child aboard!
A Town Farther Off The Beaten Path
It’s hard to go wrong with trip destinations in Colorado. If you find yourself craving a town that sits a bit farther off the beaten path, however, Cañon City is a wonderful town to consider. You’ll find so many hiking trails, rivers, and climbing routes just a few minutes from Main Street. And if you prefer to explore the scenery in a more relaxed fashion, the railroad awaits as well! Your next trip is bound to be the best one yet.
