Royal Gorge Area - South Central Colorado
Experience Royal Gorge, Cañon City, Coaldale, Cotopaxi, Florence, Guffey, Penrose, and Texas Creek, Colorado
The Royal Gorge Area features the Arkansas River, 2 national fossil sites, a scenic byway, the Royal Gorge Bridge and a tourist train. Cañon City has a rejuvenated downtown shopping district and the Arkansas Riverwalk Fitness Course, making this area a great vacation destination with more than 300 sunny days a year.
The Royal Gorge Bridge, built as a tourist attraction, opened in 1929 and spans the gorge with the Arkansas River 956 feet below. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is an amusement park along the edge of the Royal Gorge and is open daily. Be sure to stop and walk across one of the world’s highest suspension bridges! Your family will enjoy spending a day playing together: aerial gondola, plaza theater, historic artifacts, 17 minute video on the bridge and park, children’s playland, Royal Rush Skycoaster and Cloudscraper Zip Line. In summer there is a concert series.
The Arkansas River also offers great fishing in the spring and fall seasons and rafting in the summer. Cotopaxi and Coaldale are popular launching pads to rafting the Arkansas River. Cañon City Whitewater Park is along a stretch of the Arkansas River; this park attracts kayakers, rafters, boogie boarders, and tubers. There are two features to this course: Flytrap and Nessman. Beginners will want to try Flytrap at lower flows before, as it can be a little tricky. This course is home to the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival in June.
The Goldbelt Tour Scenic Byway runs all throughout this area. Some of the routes are more for the thrill seekers but there are some easier, more relaxed roads. Take the High Park Road to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument or head to Cripple Creek.
Once a favorite camping area of the Ute Indians, both dinosaur bones and oil have been discovered here. Five miles north of the city is the Garden Park Fossil Area commemorating the 1877 dinosaur find. Another fun place to check out is the Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site. It is considered to be the best trace fossil locality in North America.
Guffey is a small mountain town less than a mile off Colorado Highway 9 surrounded by 25-miles of mountains and outdoor activities. Each 4th of July come and enjoy Annual Chicken Fly, with a "Chicken Drop," and the "Chicken Rollin' Alley."
Other fun activities in the area include hiking the Rainbow Trail and Jeeping & ATVing in Texas Creek.
Commercial air travel accommodations are handled by the Pueblo Airport. Please contact your preferred travel agent or airline for flight arrangements. The Royal Gorge Area is 45 miles west of the Pueblo Airport.
Royal Gorge Area is near: Colorado Springs Metro, Greenhorn Valley, Pueblo, Salida, & Westcliffe
Premium Royal Gorge Area Businesses
Celebrating 50 years, 300,000+ happy river guests! ART offers tours for timid beginners to experienced veterans on the Arkansas River. In Cotopaxi, between Salida and Cañon City. Families are our specialty!
Unique, family friendly and Geological destination Campground. A NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK FOR FOSSILS - Tours by Appointment! Working Cattle Ranch 10 miles to Cañon City. We LOVE Groups!
Mountain ATV Trail Riding is exciting and fun! Texas Creek is the ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE CAPITAL of Colorado. WE PLAY DIRTY. Tours are a 15 minutes drive from Cañon City; 1 hour from Pikes Peak Area.
The Dino experience in Cañon City with interactive dinosaurs, museum activity center, ropes course and dinosaur wild walk. The Royal Gorge region's first fossilized bones were uncovered in Garden Park.
Colorado's #1 Royal Gorge Outfitter and Zipline Tours. Royal Gorge Rafting, Zip Line Tours, White Water Bar and Grill - One Location - 100% FUN! Between Salida and Cañon City along the Arkansas River.
Featured Royal Gorge Area Businesses
Serving Salida and Royal Gorge: Jeep rentals and trail maps. Anderson will get you off the beaten path to play in the Collegiate Peaks. Guided Jeep Tours: Discover private mines, rock hounding claims.
Celebrating 50 years, 300,000+ happy river guests! ART offers tours for timid beginners to experienced veterans on the Arkansas River. In Cotopaxi, between Salida and Cañon City. Families are our specialty!
A private get-a-way, off-the-beaten-path, 15 minutes from Westcliffe, Cabins on the Ranch is your escape in the ranch lands of the Wet Mountain Valley, Sangre de Cristo mountains, and dark night skies above.
Something for everyone! 1/3-day to multi-day CO rafting tours. Whitewater trips in 2 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS: Idaho Springs and Cañon City! On 2 GREAT RIVERS: Clear Creek and the Arkansas River!
A 4-mile round-trip ride on the Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad from our 1894 vintage depot and gift shop. Enjoy rich gold mining history a short drive from Colorado Springs and Cañon City.
Arkansas River Family and Adventure rafting trips with Echo Canyon, an hour from Colorado Springs, near the Royal Gorge Bridge. 45 years of whitewater experience. Afterwards eat at 8-Mile Bar & Grill.
Classic CO RV Park; camp in pines! Floyd's is 25 miles E of Royal Gorge Bridge; 40 miles NW of Cripple Creek Gaming on Phantom Canyon. BIG RIG FRIENDLY! 15 miles to Pueblo Reservoir: fish, boat, hike.
Unique, family friendly and Geological destination Campground. A NATIONAL NATURAL LANDMARK FOR FOSSILS - Tours by Appointment! Working Cattle Ranch 10 miles to Cañon City. We LOVE Groups!
In summer and winter gear up for fishing or ATVing -- MoonShadow is a Family Vacation Home -- 4 bedroom Ranch. Between Salida and Cañon City, in the Royal Gorge Region. Mild Weather Year Round.
Our resort is between Cañon City and the Royal Gorge with mountain views, luxury RV Sites (50 amp, concrete pads, room for slideouts). Glamping domes and camper cabins with microwave & mini fridge.
Mountain ATV Trail Riding is exciting and fun! Texas Creek is the ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE CAPITAL of Colorado. WE PLAY DIRTY. Tours are a 15 minutes drive from Cañon City; 1 hour from Pikes Peak Area.
East of Salida and West of the Royal Gorge Bridge in Howard, along the Arkansas River, away from Hwy noise, Pleasant Valley RV Park offers: full hookups on the RIVER, rec room, playground and dog park.
Vacation near Colorado Springs, the Royal Gorge, and Salida in a modern vacation home or chic canvas glamping cabin. Incredible mountain views! Onsite: 8 Mile Bar Grill and Echo Canyon River Expeditions.
The Royal Gorge Region offers year-round family activities: fishing (best fly fishing in the nation), rafting. bicycling, golfing, hiking, horseback riding, ATV trips, mountain climbing, shopping, dining in Cañon City.
The Dino experience in Cañon City with interactive dinosaurs, museum activity center, ropes course and dinosaur wild walk. The Royal Gorge region's first fossilized bones were uncovered in Garden Park.
Colorado's #1 Royal Gorge Outfitter and Zipline Tours. Royal Gorge Rafting, Zip Line Tours, White Water Bar and Grill - One Location - 100% FUN! Between Salida and Cañon City along the Arkansas River.
Family fun! Spend a 1/2-day or Full-day rafting the Arkansas River. Our office is an easy drive from Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Salida. Whitewater Adventure Outfitters is owned by Clear Creek Rafting Co.
For more travel information contact:
Royal Gorge Area Activities & Maps
National Historic Sites and Landmarks:
Garden Park Fossil Area
Indian Springs Trace Fossil Site
Scenic Byways:
Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway
Hiking Trails:
Rainbow Trail Hiking Trails
Fishing:
Arkansas River Headwaters Fishing Map - East
Rafting & Kayaking:
Arkansas River Rafting & Kayaking
Jeep & 4WD:
Texas Creek Jeeping & ATV/UTV Trails
Local Area Maps:
Royal Gorge & Cañon City Area Map
Winter Lodging
Cabins/Glamping
Motels & Hotels
Lodges
Vacation Homes
Condos & Suites
Bed & Breakfast
Tent Camping
RV Parks
RV Sales & Rentals
Romance Packages
Family Friendly
Pets Welcome
By Water Rentals
Swimming Pools
Guest Horses
Groups/Reunions
Weddings & Elope
Downloads
Snowmobiling
Skiing/Boarding
Snowshoeing
Cross-Country Ski
Colorado Maps
Events
National Parks
Scenic Byways
Fishing
Hot Springs
Horse Riding
ATV/UTVing
Jeeping & 4WD
Rafting/Kayaking
Attractions
Golfing
Restaurants
More Fun Stuff
Hunting