WELCOME TO ROYAL GORGE COUNTRY! In 1929, the Royal Gorge Bridge was built, spanning the chasm over the Arkansas River. Towering an amazing 1,053 feet above the river, it reigns as the highest suspension bridge in the world.

In addition to the abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery, the Arkansas is the most popular river for whitewater rafting in the United States. Don't miss the world's steepest incline railway built in 1930.

The Arkansas River is at the heart of Royal Gorge Country and has left an indelible mark upon the land and communities that reside along its banks. In addition to the abundant wild-life and spectacular scenery, the Arkansas is the most popular river for whitewater rafting in the United States, offering a suitable experience for both families and thrill seekers alike.

The Arkansas River begins its journey in Colorado's highest mountains, carving its way 315 miles through the state of Colorado. The last and most spectacular geographic obstacle the river must traverse is the famous Royal Gorge, first discovered by Zebulon Pike in 1806. Even before the Europeans ventured west, the Ute, Sioux, Cheyenne, Kiowa, Comanche and Arapahoe Indians all frequented this land. The Arkansas offered a convenient source of drinking water, and the area was known for its temperate winters. As an added bonus, a number of natural hot springs throughout the area offered relief from the cold.

In the 1870's, homesteaders, ranchers, traders, fur trappers, coal miners and gold and silver prospectors descended on the area.

As the need to transport ores upstream grew, the Denver & Rio Grande and the Santa Fe railroads, each already having tracks in the Arkansas Valley, fought (literally) to have the right to lay tracks through the Royal Gorge. Eventually, after a lengthy legal fight and considerable violence, the Denver & Rio Grande won. Nowadays, visitors can ride the Royal Gorge Route which follows the most famous portion of the old line-24 miles round trip-from Cañon City to Parkdale and back. It's been called one of the most scenic train rides in the world...

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park • Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway • Museum of Colorado Prisons • Garden Park Fossil Area • Shelf Road Climbing Area • Skyline Drive • Dinosaur Depot • Red Canyon Park • The Royal Gorge Route • The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey

Buckskin Joe Frontier Town and Railway
719.275.5149 • buckskinjoe.com
You’ll feel like you jumped out of the 21st century back into old west where the name of the game was fast guns & slow travel.Download Brochure

Cottonwood Stables
877.487.2494 • rocknrow.com
Trail rides surrounded by the Sangre de Cristos.

Play Dirty ATV Tours
877.288.2656 • Playdirtyatvtours.com
Texas Creek is considered by “those who know” to be the All Terrain vehicle Capital of Colorado.

Royal Gorge Heli Tours
719.276.9038 • royalgorgehelitours.com
See Spectacular views of Royal Gorge from a Jet powered Helicopter.

Rock ‘n Row
877.487.2494 • rocknrow.com
Rock Climbing for beginner to advanced.

Dinosaur Depot Museum
719.269.7150 - 800.987.6379 • www.dinosaurdepot.com
330 Royal Gorge Blvd #A, Cañon City, CO 81212
One of the best places in the world to see fossils and the rocks where they are found.

Soup-R-Bowl Fundraiser January 30, 2009

Michael Martin Murphey Lone Cowboy Concert February 23, 2009

Home & Garden Show March The Abbey Grounds

71st Annual Music & Blossom Festival May 1-3 ccblossomfestival.com

137th Annual Royal Gorge Rodeo May 1-2 Fremont County Rodeo Grounds

62nd Annual Blossom Fine Art Competition & Sale May 2-31

5th Annual Brew Ha Ha May 9 Veterans Park

VMCCA Car Show May 16 The Abbey Grounds

US 50 Coast to Coast Yard Sale May 16-17

3rd Annual Cañon City Western Heritage Days May 29-31

Entertainment in the Park June, Every Tuesday Veterans Park

Farmers’ Market June, Every Wednesday Veterans Park

27th Annual Art on the Arkansas – Art Jazzed Up June 20-21

Royal Gorge “Holy Smoke” BBQ Showdown June 12-13

BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat) River Race & Riverwalk Games June 27

Fremont County Fair July 25-Aug 2

Entertainment in the Park July, Every Tuesday Veterans Park

Farmers’ Market July, Every Wednesday Veterans Park

20th Annual Fiddlers Along the Arkansas July 24-26

Entertainment in the Park August, Every Tuesday Veterans Park

Farmers’ Market August, Every Wednesday Veterans Park

Belvedere Blues Fest September 11-13

4th Annual Skyline Open September 19

Winemaker's Dinner - 6:00pm September 25

8th Annual Harvest Fest - September 26-27

Contact us at the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce at 719.275.2331 or rgcountry.com to order Colorado's Royal Gorge Country Visitor's Guide.