Canon City Things to Do

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.

Take this Incline Railway down to the Arkansas River. Yes this railway is VERY steep. This railway has always kind of a cage for 2 persons. You have to stand up in this railway.
Down in the Gorge the temperature is much higher and no wind blows here.
It's adventurous to descend by this railway in between of high rocks.

Royal Gorge Bridge, built in the late 1920's is the world's highest suspension bridge at 1,053 feet high. It's 1,260 feet long and crosses the Royal Gorge and the Arkansas River. There are several other attractions at the Royal Gorge Park including the world's steepest incline railway, a gazebo with live music during nice weather, world's longest single span aerial tram, a picnic area, gift shop, moutaintop lodge and an antique replica carousel. The park is open year-round, weather permitting from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.. The bridge is open 7 a.m.-dusk. Prices are $19 for adults and $15 for children and a train ride around the park is included in the price. It's a lot of money, but the view from the bridge is spectacular!

We found this on our way to the Royal Gorge Bridge and we are so glad we stopped in. It is deceiving from the road but this is an actual western town like in the old days. There is a full street and then a 1/2 street of old buildings just like you would see back in the old west.
There was a lot to see and do for the price. My kids really liked the gunfights. This place has been used for films like one of my all time favorites, The Cowboys. Couldn't believe I was where John Wayne had been.

We had a surprisingly wonderful lunch in the restaurant. It wasn't your normal park food; we had a huge grilled cheese on Indian flat bread and a great big buffalo burger. The prices were good for the portions.

The train ride was so neat and relaxing. You go to a viewing place and when they say you get the best view of the Royal Gorge they mean it, the view was awesome. The ride goes slowly so you can take pictures along the way. I really liked the gift shop at the train. It was big and I got most all of my gifts there in one stop shopping.

Make sure to go and see the magic show too. I thought it was going to be a kiddie show but it was really good with a lot of neat illusions. You've got to have a picture taken with the mayor of the town. He is a miniature donkey and really cute.

This place is also pet friendly which was really neat. We saw one dog riding the train and another drinking (water) in the Saloon. Made me miss my baby and wish we had brought him.

We stayed about 5 1/2 hours through the hanging gunfight which I would recommend seeing. We had to stay another day to go to the Royal Gorge but really we enjoyed Buckskin Joe much more than the Royal Gorge Bridge. If you have to choose one over the other pick Buckskin Joe. If you are planning to visit Canon City, make time to visit Buckskin Joe Town and train.

In June we were lucky to have no line ups and the cabin was not full. So it's fantastic to take good pictures of the Royal Gorge Bridge.
This Aerial Tram is also very old but we arrived safely at the other end of the Gorge!

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To see the Royal Gorge you have two choices, drive across the suspension bridge, and/or take a train trip

Up top you will find a petting zoo, donkey rides, wagon rides, fake gun fights, a tram that goes across the gorge, a tram that goes down to the bottom, and souvenir shops and eateries. This would be a good choice if you have kids in the car.

If you prefer to take it easy, have a great lunch on the train and drink some wine while viewing the bridge, you might choose the train trip.

What began three million years ago as a trickle of water across solid granite is now this canyon. And in another 2,500 years, it will be one foot deeper. It's a deep canyon, but only 40 to 50 feet wide at the bottom and a few hundred feet at the top.

Spanish missionaries were the first Europeans to report sightings of the gorge in 1642.

Viewed from the bridge high above, you don't realize the size of the river or what rapids are below you. It is also difficult to imagine that this is the same Arkansas River that is so shallow and moves so lazily through southern Kansas. (Of course, that's because Colorado farmers drain off so much of it for irrigation of their fields leaving Kansas farmers high and dry.) Enough editorializing - it is neat to watch the waters, as well as the rafters and kayakers on this stretch of river.

Did I mention that this river is pronounced Ar -KAN'-sas in the state of Kansas and ARK'-in-saw every place else?