48 Hours in Cañon City
By Erin Sendor
Welcome to the Royal Gorge Region of Colorado! Located just two hours south of Denver and 45 minutes southwest of Colorado Springs, Cañon City offers an incredible, out-of-the-ordinary weekend getaway that is sure to thrill. Offering the best of both worlds, enjoy this areas’ cultural heritage and family-friendly attractions, as well as plenty of outdoor adventure including whitewater rafting, hiking and more. Experience this region year-round, as Cañon City is known as “the Climate Capital of Colorado,” with temperatures generally 10 degrees warmer in winter than other nearby communities. From the historic downtown and the nearby Royal Gorge Bridge & Park to the unique surrounding geography and Arkansas River, Cañon City will keep you coming back for more!Day 1
Start your trip at one of the region’s top sites, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. Home to “America’s Highest Suspension Bridge & Zip Line,” the Royal Gorge Bridge spans 1,260 feet and is situated 1,053 feet above the Arkansas River. Perfect for families and thrill seekers alike, take a walk across the bridge, soar above in an aerial gondola, or try the adrenaline-pumping zip line or Skycoaster ride! Designed with younger visitors in mind, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park’s three-story playland offers hours of entertainment, with ropes, slides, nets, tunnels, 20-foot towers, a splash pad and more! No matter which activities you decide on, you will experience sweeping 360-degree views of the awe-inspiring Royal Gorge and mountain vistas! Many visitors go deeper into the Royal Gorge, combining the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park with other scenic, adventurous tours. Explore the red granite gorge up close by hiking throughout the park, and climbing with the brand-new Royal Gorge Via Ferrata! Go further with an exhilarating off-road scenic excursion with Colorado Jeep Tours. Head down into the gorge and take advantage of the Arkansas River’s world-class rapids with a whitewater rafting tour. The Royal Gorge Region features several highly rated rafting tours which will equip and guide your group for a thrilling white-water journey. For those looking to do it all and maximize your trip, look for packages that combine many of these activities for the ultimate Royal Gorge experience!![Royal Gorge Route Railroad](/sites/default/files/48-hours-canon-city-blog-rg-railroad.jpg)
Day 2
Begin your day with a delicious breakfast and coffee, with several great options to choose from in Cañon City. Known for their breakfast burritos, The Bean Pedaler offers craft coffees and a bakery, plus local Colorado microbrews for later on in the day. For another action-packed day, head to the picturesque Arkansas River. Cañon City’s Riverwalk Trail follows the flowing river and offers the chance for excellent wildlife spotting and birdwatching. Renowned by anglers around the world, the Arkansas River is also the longest Gold Medal River in Colorado (and North America!) Anglers have a terrific opportunity to catch trophy-sized trout, including brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Fly fishing, as well as rafting and kayaking, are remarkable ways to enjoy this beautiful river.![Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience](/sites/default/files/48-hours-canon-city-blog-rg-dino-experience.jpg)
![Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival](/sites/default/files/48-hours-canon-city-blog-whitewater-festival.jpg)