After you have enjoyed all the excitement and the variety of activities at the Park, you should make the most of your experience by kicking back, enjoying the views, and staying the night in the unique Royal Gorge region. On the grounds of the Royal Gorge are half a dozen primitive campsites and the rustically luxurious Bighorn Mountaintop Lodge. Just a short stroll from the main gates of the Park, the Lodge’s amenities include three bedrooms, a modern kitchen and spacious great room, making for a perfect ending to an unbelievable day.
At 3,000 square feet, this facility is perfect for large or small group meetings, corporate retreats, seminars and other special events. The Bighorn Mountaintop Lodge is also our main facility for overnight accommodations and is a great way to extend your ultimate Royal Gorge experience. Amenities include a rustic fireplace, three bedrooms, two baths, a spacious modern kitchen and laundry facilities, and an unbeatable view of the Royal Gorge.
Cañon City
Colorado Springs
Florence
Salida
To view further accommodations throughout the region visit the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce at www.canoncitychamber.com.
The Royal Gorge region is rich with heritage and history, and loaded with a variety of activities sure to please everyone. Whether traveling with your family, friends or significant other, this is the ultimate Colorado vacation. Learn more about all that this region has to offer by visiting the following organizations:
Visitor Information Guide to the Royal Gorge Region – www.royalgorgetravel.com
Cañon City Chamber of Commerce – www.canoncitychamber.com
Pikes Peak Country Attractions Association – www.pikes-peak.com
Experience Colorado Springs – www.visitcos.com
ColoradoInfo- Visit us when you're looking for Colorado Vacation Information. Check out ski reports, the most comprehensive and complete event listings for the state, Colorado travel guides on-line, Colorado travel guides available to order, listings of activities, attractions, lodging and more! www.Coloradoinfo.com
Click on the icon below to visit the official guide to the Royal Gorge Region.
A great hiking or biking experience means varied terrain, lots of sunshine and beautiful sights to see. With an average of 330 days of sunshine a year, the chances are good you’ll always have a great time on your Colorado vacation. And with so many trails, you’re bound to find plenty that challenge you and are great for the entire family. Among the dozens and dozens of trails, here are some favorites around Cañon City and the Royal Gorge region:
Stultz Trail – A moderate, 5.72-mile trail that climbs from 7,800 to 9,200 feet.
Tanner Peak Trail – At nine miles, it’s a little more difficult than Stultz Trail and actually intersects it about halfway.
Red Canyon Park – Many trails from 3.5 to 30 miles in length; this area is great for biking, hiking and horseback riding.
There’s no better place to test your limits than on the trails here in southern Colorado. Within a few miles of Cañon City is the San Carlos Ranger District of the San Isabel National Forest. There are seven trails that range from pleasant to insane. Be ready for the ride of your life.
Lily Lake Trail – High mountain scenery and fishing for cutthroat trout at the lake and camping at the switchbacks.
Blanca Peak Four-Wheel-Drive Trail – You’ll be one of the few, the proud, and the insane if you actually conquer the trail to Blanca Peak.
Medano Pass Primitive Four-Wheel-Drive Road – A terrific day trip for licensed high-clearance vehicles. Be sure to include a visit to the Great Sand Dunes National Monument while you’re in the area.
Red Canyon Park is home to fantastic red rock formations with spires as high as a hundred feet. Facilities include picnic sites, restrooms and trails.
Shelf Road Recreation Area is known around the world for the difficult routes up its limestone walls. Thankfully short but challenging, with few handholds and many overhangs, Shelf Road offers you the chance to see what you’re made of.
Brave men on horseback accomplished exploration and discovery in the Colorado Rocky Mountains as they searched for possible routes through high mountain passes. Thanks to a multitude of outfitters throughout the Royal Gorge region, you can marvel at the same sites these explorers did over 150 years ago, and still be back in time for supper. From Cañon City, there are easy and exciting trails within the San Isabel National Forest and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range.
The natural attraction of the Royal Gorge has long been a hot spot for unbeatable whitewater rafting in Colorado. The experience of watching rafters glide down the Arkansas River from above adds a level of excitement to your trip, even if you don’t brave the rapids yourself.
However, if you’d like to try rafting the Arkansas River, there are several area companies that offer a whitewater rafting adventure for all ages and experience levels.
The two outings most travelers to the Royal Gorge region want to experience are the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park and whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River. Rafting and other customized packages, including an overnight package, are available. Companies listed directly below are participating package partners. Please call the rafting company for reservations and to inquire about their Raft and Bridge packages.