Welcome to Cañon City
Gateway to the Royal Gorge region.
Approximately 40 miles west of Pueblo and 45 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, Cañon City, Colorado, is a sparse suburban area that offers a beautiful mountainous home base for residents. Cañon City is located in Fremont County and is deep in the Arkansas River Valley. Cañon City is part of the “Royal Gorge Region.” The Royal Gorge Region is known for its whitewater rafting opportunities and numerous other outdoor activities.
The area is primarily single-family homes that house retirees. Visitors come for the natural beauty and wild adventure the Rocky Mountains provide. Summer brings the runBlossom race and opportunities for biking, hiking, and general exploration of the Royal Gorge. Outdoorspeople will find something to draw them to Cañon City.
What to Love
- Royal Gorge Region beauty and recreation
- Unique regional history museums and exhibits
- Quaint mountain town
- Sophisticated dining options
Local Lifestyle
Cañon City is home to many retirees, but it also offers adrenaline junkies close access to their favorite outdoor experience. The city is a reasonable commute to Pueblo and Colorado Springs, which allows professionals to live in a semi-rural atmosphere and still work in the city. The Royal Gorge Region is well known for the Arkansas River and its white water adventure. New homebuyers will find a balance of laid-back rural serenity and hip action-packed outdoor adrenaline fun.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
After a long day of mountain biking and exploring the unique boutiques and quirky shops, hungry locals have memorable dining choices. From Italian to burgers, Cañon City has several restaurants to enjoy.
DiRito’s Italian Restaurant is a family-owned establishment specializing in Italian comfort food. DiRito’s offers fresh homemade bread, roasted garlic, homemade sausage and meatballs, and soup.
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is located in the Wet Mountains and offers wine tastings, outdoor dining, and an onsite gift shop. The menu includes cheese and fruit platters, salads, wraps, and sandwiches.
The Owl Cigar Store has a very colorful history. The restaurant has been a pool hall, a cigar store, and a gambling hall. They offer classic Americana burgers and fries, as well as milkshakes. The hometown quirky family-owned restaurant is a local favorite,
Worlds End Brewery is a bar and tap room that is a great place to grab a craft beer and enjoy a plate of chicken wings. They serve lunch and dinner, and on-site dining and order pick-up is available.
Things to Do
Cañon City is surrounded by natural beauty and is part of the Royal Gorge Region. The namesake Royal Gorge is a natural wonder that offers visitors breathtaking views from 956 feet above the Arkansas River valley. Visitors to the Royal Gorge Park are ushered across America’s Highest Suspension Bridge, featuring 1257 wooden planks. First-time mountain climbers can experience guided climbing tours called the Via Ferrata course. Via Ferrata is a combination of rock climbing and hiking. Climbers can choose between a 2,5-3 hours and a 4,5-5 hours tour.
Thrill seekers come to brave the Royal Rush Skycoaster. Riders are harnessed to cables and launched over the gorge at 50 miles per hour speed. The thrills don’t stop there; a zip line soars 1,200 feet above the gorge with state-of-the-art harnesses. The aerial gondola offers the same stunning view in an enclosed vehicle for visitors who don’t want to feel the wind rush by them. More kid-friendly activities are available, making Royal Gorge a place for anyone looking for outdoor family fun.
The Fremont Center of the Arts hosts a night of live music outside of Macon Plaza. Jazz in the Park is a summer event that draws music lovers to Cañon City. Local jazz bands fill the night with smooth music to dance and relax after a long day exploring all Royal Gorge offers. Summertime is kicked off in Cañon City with the Blossom Festival. Athletes come for the 5K runBlossom and enjoy the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail. For 18 years, the locals ring in the arrival of summer and enjoy everything Cañon City brings to the table.
For a more adult activity, the Abbey Winery is open daily for wine tastings. The Abbey has won 100 awards for their wines in international wine competitions. Tastings are done outdoors and can last between 60-90 minutes.
Schools
Cañon City is located in Fremont county and is home to twenty-two schools.
