Cañon City, Colorado is one of the American West’s great vacation destinations: a small, friendly town spectacularly set where the Southern Rocky Mountains ease down to the Great Plains, blessed with a smorgasbord of world-class outdoor recreation and scenery while also providing a tranquil, uncrowded getaway compared to many other tourism hubs in Colorado. And given the plethora of Cañon City kid activities and great local accommodations such as Royal Gorge Cabins (our related business) available, it’s ideal as a family getaway.
In this article, we’ll spell out some of the reasons why Cañon City and the Royal Gorge region as a whole make such a fabulous place for family trips all year round.
The Beauty of Cañon City
The county seat of Fremont County and the “Gateway to the Authentic West,” Cañon City sits at the stoop of a genuine geologic and scenic wonder: the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River, a 1,250-foot-deep whitewater chasm carved into a buried dome of granitic and metamorphic rock and boasting in places almost unbelievably narrow walls (a mere 40 to 50 feet across) in comparison to its great depth.
Arguably the most popular whitewater rafting destination in the U.S., the Royal Gorge Region also draws rock climbers, off-roaders, mountain bikers, and many other outdoor enthusiasts. The appeal of Cañon City and its surrounds extends across the calendar: This is the so-called Colorado Banana Belt, a region of comparatively mild winters created by the warming, drying effect of downsloping winds off the Southern Rockies. Almost all of the activities listed in the next section—short of whitewater rafting, mainly a summer pursuit—can be enjoyed any time of year.
Kid-Friendly Activities in Cañon City
There’s so much to see and do with young ones in tow on a Royal Gorge Region escape. Here are some great ideas for Cañon City kid activities!
Rafting with Echo Canyon
Here at Echo Canyon River Expeditions, we’ve led rafters of all ability levels on the famed whitewater of the Arkansas and other premier Colorado streams since the late 1970s. Along with technical thrill-seeking itineraries (such as our runs through the Royal Gorge), we lead a variety of family-friendly rafting trips ideal for younger guests and beginner/intermediate river-runners, including the easy Scenic Float (ages 4 and up) and the nice and varied Bighorn Sheep Canyon (ages 6 and up). Parents can rest assured of our rock-solid commitment to safety and exceptionally well-trained river guides, and family groups will delight in the range of experiences available, including sampling Class III+ rapids for those comfortable with a little wilder water.
Mountain Biking
Cañon City also serves as a springboard for fantastic mountain biking in the Royal Gorge Region, with an extensive trail network maintained by Fremont Adventure Recreation (FAR) and the City of Cañon City which includes many kids and beginner-friendly routes such as the Mutton Bustin’ Trail in the South Cañon Trails system.
Royal Gorge Railroad
Rafters love the high-adrenaline Class IV rapids surging through the Royal Gorge, but as it happens you can experience the splendor of the “Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River” firsthand in a bit more laidback fashion: via a family train ride aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, running out of Cañon City’s Santa Fe Depot. Enjoy first-class dining service while goggling at the scenery together from your train car: an unforgettable experience for the whole family!
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
Anchored by one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park provides amusement park thrills against an absolutely breathtaking natural backdrop. From zipline courses and the Skycoaster to a playground and live music, this is a real crowd-pleaser of a family attraction.
Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience
The area around Cañon City has a pretty spectacular prehistoric side, with some major fossil finds putting the region on the paleontological map beginning back in the late 1800s. The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience celebrates this heritage with educational exhibits, impressive displays, and interactive fun. Along with skeletons of everything from Stegosaurus and Allosaurus to the toothy marine beasts that once thrashed through the Cretaceous Interior Seaway around these parts, the museum includes a Wild Walk among multiple life-sized animatronic dinos. And let’s face it: What kid doesn’t go nuts for dinosaurs?
Jeep Tours
A plethora of top-notch off-road/4WD trails lace through the rugged, vista-dazzled country of the Royal Gorge Region, and young and old alike will delight in exploring them via a guided Jeep tour. Some of these awesome routes aren’t accessible without special passes, which makes a sightseeing safari aboard one of these multi-seater vehicles the way to go!
Hiking Trails
Cañon City’s outstanding trail system doesn’t just cater to mountain bikers. A wide range of hiking trails running the gamut from beginner-level to strenuous can be found here—including no shortage of kid-friendly options—and getting out and about on your own two feet is one of the very best ways to really get to know this spectacular landscape.
Plan a Family-Fun Weekend
As the above list suggests, there’s an absolute galaxy of things to do on a family getaway to Cañon City, both outside and indoors. When all is said and done, the hard part is narrowing down your itinerary! The nice thing about all of that variety is there is something for everybody’s preferences and ability levels. We suggest resisting the temptation to overload any given day: Allow for some unscheduled time to dig deeper into a particular activity or attraction, rest and relax, or take advantage of spontaneous ideas and inspiration—from stopping off at that cool rock-and-gem shop so the kids can pan for gold to cooling off in Cañon City’s splash pad!
When you’re looking to plan a truly enjoyable family activity in Cañon City, reach out to Echo Canyon. We’re here to assist you in creating a memorable experience that will leave you eager to return.
