Overview
Cañon City is a city in Colorado. It is the gateway to Royal Gorge, a cavernous canyon of the Arkansas River.
5 sights · 6 things to do · 5 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cañon City
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
The world's highest suspension bridge, aerial cable car, and many more attractions. Don't miss the SkyCoaster!
Royal Gorge Route
Train ride through the floor of Royal Gorge, with specialty excursions featuring lunch, and murder mystery and wine-maker dinners. Closed for the Winter check the schedule to see when opens usually around middle of March…
Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center
Come see amazing fossils of dinosaurs and also a complete Stegosaurus.
Museum of Colorado Prisons
The Museum of Colorado Prisons, located on the grounds of the "Old Max," a prison still in operation, tells the story of Canon City's colorful prison history. See old photographs and prison implements, including the old …
Skyline Drive
a one-way road, and the entrance is about 3 miles west of Canon City on U.S. Highway 50. The 3-mile drive, constructed by inmates from the state prison in the early 20th century, takes you hundreds of feet up a ridge ove…
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 79°F; winter lows dip to about 5°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- COS City of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs — 38 mi away (major hub). Directions
- PUB Pueblo Memorial Airport, Pueblo — 41 mi away. Directions
Pueblo is the closest city with an airport (the Pueblo Memorial Airport), served by Southern Airways Express. Colorado Sprints Airport (COS) (in Colorado Springs) is the closest full-service airport, and is less than 50 miles away. Denver International Airport (DEN) (in Denver) is approximately 125 miles away.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Royal Gorge Route, Royal Gorge Regional Museum & History Center, Museum of Colorado Prisons
- Lunch Pizza Madness
- Afternoon Lost Paddle Rafting, Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours
- Dinner Dirito's Italian Restaurant
- Evening Big Burger World
Day 2
- Morning Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center
- Lunch 8 Mile Bar & Grill
- Afternoon The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, Tunnel Drive
- Dinner White Water Bar & Grill
Day 3
- Morning American Adventure Expeditions
- Lunch Bunk House Burgers
- Afternoon Skyline Drive
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By air
Pueblo is the closest city with an airport (the Pueblo Memorial Airport), served by Southern Airways Express. Colorado Sprints Airport (COS) (in Colorado Springs) is the closest full-service airport, and is less than 50 miles away. Denver International Airport (DEN) (in Denver) is approximately 125 miles away.
By car
Cañon City is directly linked to Pueblo by US Route 50. From Colorado Springs, go south on Colorado State Highway 115, then west on US Route 50. Cañon City can be driven to from Denver via Interstate 25, State Route 115, and US Route 50.
Get around
Cañon City's main road is Royal Gorge Boulevard, which is part of US Route 50.
See
Do
Do Skyline Drive
a one-way road, and the entrance is about 3 miles west of Canon City on U.S. Highway 50. The 3-mile drive, constructed by inmates from the state prison in the early 20th century, takes you hundreds of feet up a ridge overlooking Canon City and the Arkansas River Valley
Rafting
Do American Adventure Expeditions
Offering white water rafting trips on the Arkansas River for all ages and skill levels. Enjoy the intense rapids of the Royal Gorge Canyon or the beautiful bighorn sheep in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The only outpost on the river in the Royal Gorge. Overnight and full day trips available.
Do River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center (Rafting Canon City, Colorado)
Since 1972 River Runners has been providing fully guided family friendly whitewater rafting trips daily at their Riverside Rafting Resort in Buena Vista, Colorado and Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City, Colorado. Raft the Royal Gorge and Bighorn Sheep Canyon on the Arkansas River.
Buy
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Stay The Royal Gorge Inn
Nearby
Cripple Creek
City / town · 14 listings · 21 mi away
Westcliffe
City / town · 4 listings · 25 mi away
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Park · 8 listings · 32 mi away
Manitou Springs
City / town · 30 listings · 33 mi away
Colorado Springs
City / town · 60 listings · 35 mi away
Pueblo
City / town · 17 listings · 35 mi away
Woodland Park
City / town · 5 listings · 39 mi away
Crestone
City / town · 3 listings · 40 mi away
My experience
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