Canon City Things to Do

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Better known as the Royal Gorge, this spectacular canyon is not even the deepest one in Colorado but it is probably the most well known and popular one, perhaps because of the awe-inspiring bridge which crosses it. This 80-year-old bridge, at 1,053 feet, is the highest suspension bridge over water in the world. Tourists are challenged to walk across it but if you have serious issues with heights, you may want to pass on that opportunity.

Rafting is a very popular pastime in the river within the the gorge, largely because of the seven named rapids found there. I did not have time to try the rafting but once when I crossed during the late summer with a group of friends, one of them commented that there were so many rafts in the water that there ought to be a traffic light. It did seem crowded from over 1,000 up.

For a more sedate tour of the floor of the gorge try the Royal Gorge Route Railroad operated excursion trains. The trains travel a 12-mile circuit through the canyon from Canon City to Parkdale and return. These tracks were not laid, however, for day-tourists. Late in the 19th Century, as many as four transcontinental trains per day passed through the Royal Gorge.

This train starts daily from Cañon City through Royal Gorge and is said to be one of the most spectacular railroads of the world.
The train is very slow along Arkansas River, 10 miles in 30 min.
The picture of the twisting train through the Gorge along the river was taken from the suspension Bridge.

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Any dinosaur enthusiast, young or old, should visit this small museum. This part of Colorado has yielded a treasure trove of fossils, including new dinosaur species. The Depot Museum has some excellent fossils, including the most complete Stegosaurus skeleton in the world. One fossil is still alive. It's the gingko tree, from the Far East. This species has survived since the age of the dinosaurs.

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Built in 1929, this is the world's highest suspension bridge. It stands 1,053 feet above the canyon's floor. If you're afraid of heights, then keep away. But if you want a spectacular view of this gorge, then this is it.

There are other attractions here. The Aerial Tramway takes visitors on a two-way trip over the gorge, with more great views. The Incline Railway takes you down into the Gorge and back up. The Wapiti Wildlife Park shows native Colorado animals in a setting that resembles their natural habitat. In addition, the Visitor Center has shopping, a pretty decent restaurant, and information. The village across the Gorge has occasional live entertainment.

An adult day passport, which entitles the visitor to all of these attractions, is $22.00. That's a good price for all these attractions.

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Since 1879, this scenic railroad has taken visitors through the Royal Gorge. Passengers have marvelled at the towering cliffs, over 1,000 feet high. They've watched white-water rafters pass by on the Arkansas River. And anyone who visits Colorado should see this.

Special excursions offer a variety of features: glass-topped domes, dinners, wine-tasting, murder mystery trips, and others. The standard trip length is about two hours.

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The most fun place here for the kids! An old west town, they have magic shows,re-enacted gun fights on the street,lots of old buildings to explore,the mystery house building,a horse carriage ride, and a train ride where you can get a pretty good view of the gorge.
Not as cool as Old Tucson in Arizona, but if you haven't been there already and you have kids along this is defenitely worth stopping at here in Canon city,CO

Although not exactly what i expected. A gravel dirt path next to the Arkansas River is exactly what it is. A great nature walk and the kids enjoyed throwing pebbles in the river.
located in Canon City, CO

The sand dunes are not one hour from Canon City. Try more like two hours 2 and a half if you use I 25. but i would so recomend it. if you use road 50 it is a curvey road that folowes the river most the way, and during the summer yoiu can see the rafters. i live there and can see them everyday . i would recomend to go to Zapatsa Falls too. al the park rangers know where it is just ask . im posting it on here too.