Cañon City

Cañon City, Colorado, rests within the Arkansas River Valley, a place where striking natural beauty converges with a surprising depth of human and geological history. Known as the 'Climate Capital of Colorado,' the city enjoys a temperate high-desert environment, offering agreeable conditions for exploration throughout the year. It serves as the entrance to the awe-inspiring Royal Gorge, a 1,250-foot-deep chasm carved by the Arkansas River, home to one of the world's highest suspension bridges.

Beyond its dramatic landscapes, Cañon City holds a rich collection of narratives, from the intense 'Bone Wars' of paleontology to the audacious engineering feats that spanned the Royal Gorge. The city's past is interwoven with the Pikes Peak Gold Rush, the establishment of early oil fields, and a long-standing correctional presence that has shaped its growth. Whether you seek exhilarating outdoor adventures on the Arkansas River, a journey through prehistoric epochs, or a tranquil walk through a historic downtown, Cañon City provides a distinct Colorado experience.

## From Gold Rush Outpost to 'Climate Capital' Cañon City's beginnings trace back to 1860, established as a crucial center during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush and other mining endeavors. It functioned as a vital stop for miners traversing to and from areas like Leadville and South Park, and later supported the Cripple Creek Gold Rush with metal extraction via smelters. The region's economy expanded further in the late 1800s with the creation of one of the first commercial oil fields, a resource known to the Ute people who had long utilized oil seeps in the area.

## A Conflict for the Gorge and Dinosaur Discoveries The late 19th century saw Cañon City at the core of two significant rivalries. The first was the infamous 'Royal Gorge War' of 1878, where the Denver & Rio Grande and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroads literally contended for the right to lay tracks through the incredibly narrow Royal Gorge. The U.S. Supreme Court eventually intervened, granting the Denver & Rio Grande the right-of-way. Simultaneously, the area became a focal point for paleontological discovery, igniting the 'Bone Wars.' The Garden Park Fossil Area, just north of town, yielded important dinosaur finds, including the first complete Allosaurus skeleton and numerous Stegosaurus remains, refining our understanding of the Late Jurassic period.

## Spanning the Canyon and Building with Convicts In 1906, Congress granted Cañon City 5,000 acres surrounding the Royal Gorge, a measure signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt. This set the stage for the construction of the Royal Gorge Bridge in 1929, an engineering marvel that, for over 70 years, stood as the highest suspension bridge in the world. The city's development also carries a unique connection to its correctional facilities. The Colorado Territorial Penitentiary, established in 1871, utilized inmate labor for various projects, including the construction of the scenic Skyline Drive, which opened in 1905. Even an early 20th-century redwood pipeline for the city's water supply through the Royal Gorge was built with the assistance of prisoners.

## The Tilde's Narrative and Modern Flourishing Cañon City's distinctive spelling, with the Spanish 'ñ,' represents a curious historical detail. Though residents reportedly preferred 'Canyon City,' a reporter's use of the Spanish version persisted, making it one of the few U.S. cities with this unique orthography. Today, Cañon City continues to embrace its varied heritage, from its 'Climate Capital' designation to its flourishing wine industry, which began with Benedictine monks seeking new income in the early 2000s.

Begin your exploration at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, where you can walk across America's highest suspension bridge, ride an aerial gondola across the chasm, or experience the exhilarating Royal Rush Skycoaster. Consider the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, offering scenic train rides through the canyon alongside the Arkansas River.

For a journey into prehistory, visit the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience with its life-sized animatronic dinosaurs and fossil exhibits. Nearby, the Garden Park Fossil Area provides an opportunity to see where significant dinosaur discoveries were made. Drive Skyline Drive, a one-way road along a razorback ridge, for sweeping views of the city and interpretive displays about dinosaur tracks embedded in the cliff face.

Delve into the city's distinctive past at the Museum of Colorado Prisons, housed in a former women's prison building. For a more tranquil experience, visit The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey, set on appealing grounds, offering tastings of celebrated Colorado wines.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River, hiking and mountain biking on extensive trail systems like the Arkansas Riverwalk or Oil Well Flats, and rock climbing at Shelf Road.

Cañon City welcomes visitors throughout the year, often called the 'Climate Capital of Colorado' for its mild weather. For warm-weather activities like rafting and hiking, early June to mid-September is ideal, with July being the warmest month (average high 87°F). Spring (March-May) brings wildflowers and the start of rafting season, with comfortable temperatures between 55-75°F. Fall (September-November) displays beautiful foliage, fewer crowds, and pleasant temperatures (55-80°F), with September being particularly favorable for rafting. Winters (December-February) are milder than in nearby mountains, with snow that typically melts quickly, making it suitable for holiday events and scenic train rides.

Cañon City is best navigated with a rental car, as attractions are spread out and public transportation is limited, with no public bus or rideshare services. The nearest major airports are Colorado Springs Airport (COS), about an hour's drive, and Denver International Airport (DEN), approximately two hours away.

Downtown Cañon City offers free street parking, with 2-hour limits on Main Street during business hours and additional free lots behind shops. At the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, parking is included with admission, but it's advisable to arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends for the best spots.

When dining, consider eating lunch at popular spots as dinner lines can be longer. Local favorites include White Water Bar & Grill after rafting, and Cañon City Mugs for breakfast.

For outdoor activities, pack comfortable hiking shoes, a swimsuit and water shoes for rafting, quick-dry clothing, and a light rain jacket for sudden afternoon storms. Always carry more water than you think you'll need and be aware of rattlesnakes on trails.