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The epic canyons in this Colorado town offer a wild west adventure you can’t miss

By June 18, 2020 | updated 6 years ago

Welcome to Cañon City, one Colorado town that's quite deserving of its name with a number of grand canyons and massive cliffs spread around the area.Photo Credit: iStock.

Sure, Colorado is filled with tons of massive mountains…but did you know it’s got some stunning canyons, too. If you’re looking to explore a unique spot on the Front Range that offers access to a wide range of outdoor recreation, Cañon City should be the spot for your next adventure.

Welcome to Cañon City, one Colorado town that's quite deserving of its name with a number of grand canyons and massive cliffs spread around the area.Photo Credit: iStock.
Welcome to Cañon City, one Colorado town that’s quite deserving of its name with a number of grand canyons and massive cliffs spread around the area.Photo Credit: iStock.
Outdoor recreation is quite popular in the area, meaning that a lot of the varied terrain is very accessible for hiking, biking, climbing, and more.Photo Credit: Phil Howland, courtesy of Bureau of Land Management.
Outdoor recreation is quite popular in the area, meaning that a lot of the varied terrain is very accessible for hiking, biking, climbing, and more.Photo Credit: Phil Howland, courtesy of Bureau of Land Management.
Cañon City is home to the highest suspension bridge in the country, which spans over the Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge Bridge stretches above the Arkansas River at a height of 1,053 feet.Photo Credit: The Gazette.
Cañon City is home to the highest suspension bridge in the country, which spans over the Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge Bridge stretches above the Arkansas River at a height of 1,053 feet.Photo Credit: The Gazette.
Visitors to the bridge are able to purchase a ticket that allows them to cross the engineering marvel.Photo Credit: Photo Credit: DanielBendjy (iStock).
Visitors to the bridge are able to purchase a ticket that allows them to cross the engineering marvel.Photo Credit: Photo Credit: DanielBendjy (iStock).
There's also an option to take a gondola across the massive gorge.Photo Credit: ginosphotos (iStock).
There’s also an option to take a gondola across the massive gorge.Photo Credit: ginosphotos (iStock).
There's also a new via ferrata on-site that allows visitors to experience the Royal Gorge in an entirely new way.Photo Credit: VisitCOS.com.
There’s also a new via ferrata on-site that allows visitors to experience the Royal Gorge in an entirely new way.Photo Credit: VisitCOS.com.
In the winter, purchase a ticket on the Royal Gorge Railroad for an extra special seasonal experience sure to fill you with holiday cheer. Or purchase a ticket year-round to take a train ride along the canyon floor.Photo Courtesy: Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
In the winter, purchase a ticket on the Royal Gorge Railroad for an extra special seasonal experience sure to fill you with holiday cheer. Or purchase a ticket year-round to take a train ride along the canyon floor.Photo Courtesy: Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
If you're feeling brave, there's also a zipline option at the canyon.Photo Credit: OutThere Colorado
If you’re feeling brave, there’s also a zipline option at the canyon.Photo Credit: OutThere Colorado
...Or launch yourself above the Royal Gorge on a massive canyon swing, hanging above the ground more than 1,000 feet below.Photo Credit: chapin31 (iStock).
…Or launch yourself above the Royal Gorge on a massive canyon swing, hanging above the ground more than 1,000 feet below.Photo Credit: chapin31 (iStock).
Shelf Road is another popular terrain feature found in Cañon City, featuring massive cliff walls and more than 1,000 sport climbing routes. Unsurprisingly, the destination attracts rock climbers from around the country.Photo Credit: Stephen Martin.
Shelf Road is another popular terrain feature found in Cañon City, featuring massive cliff walls and more than 1,000 sport climbing routes. Unsurprisingly, the destination attracts rock climbers from around the country.Photo Credit: Stephen Martin.
In this photo, Spencer McKee, of OutThere Colorado, climbs a route in the Farside area of Shelf Road, outside of Canon City.Photo Credit: Caitlyn Concklin.
In this photo, Spencer McKee, of OutThere Colorado, climbs a route in the Farside area of Shelf Road, outside of Canon City.Photo Credit: Caitlyn Concklin.
Shelf Road is known for offering year-round climbing, with some walls getting warming sunshine in the winter and others offering shade from blistering summer temperatures.Photo Credit: Mariah Hoffman.
Shelf Road is known for offering year-round climbing, with some walls getting warming sunshine in the winter and others offering shade from blistering summer temperatures.Photo Credit: Mariah Hoffman.
...not kidding about that warming sunlight – this photo was taken in January. Note the snow in the backdrop.Photo Credit: Mariah Hoffman.
…not kidding about that warming sunlight – this photo was taken in January. Note the snow in the backdrop.Photo Credit: Mariah Hoffman.
Skyline Drive is another favorite attraction in the Royal Gorge Region. The adrenaline-inducing one-way route offers great sweeping views of the area.Photo Courtesy: Royal Gorge Region, photographer Nick Landry.
Skyline Drive is another favorite attraction in the Royal Gorge Region. The adrenaline-inducing one-way route offers great sweeping views of the area.Photo Courtesy: Royal Gorge Region, photographer Nick Landry.
The narrow road runs cliffside for much of the route.Photo Credit: Simon Morris (Flickr).
The narrow road runs cliffside for much of the route.Photo Credit: Simon Morris (Flickr).
Look to the left on the way up Skyline Drive to see a dinosaur trackway.Photo Courtesy: Rob Kelley.
Look to the left on the way up Skyline Drive to see a dinosaur trackway.Photo Courtesy: Rob Kelley.
The Oil Well Flats is another popular outdoor recreation spot in Cañon City. It offers great biking over rocky, technical terrain. In this photo, Lance Benzel rides atop 200-foot cliffs.Photo Credit: Christian Murdock.
The Oil Well Flats is another popular outdoor recreation spot in Cañon City. It offers great biking over rocky, technical terrain. In this photo, Lance Benzel rides atop 200-foot cliffs.Photo Credit: Christian Murdock.
Spencer McKee hoists his bike high in the air at the perfect photo opt.Photo Credit: Jeff Gratzmiller.
Spencer McKee hoists his bike high in the air at the perfect photo opt.Photo Credit: Jeff Gratzmiller.
The area is also a popular spot for white water rafters thanks to the presence of the Arkansas River.Photo Credit: OutThere Colorado file photo.
The area is also a popular spot for white water rafters thanks to the presence of the Arkansas River.Photo Credit: OutThere Colorado file photo.
Red Canyon Park is another popular attraction.Photo Courtesy: Royal Gorge Region.
Red Canyon Park is another popular attraction.Photo Courtesy: Royal Gorge Region.
Consider a ride with the Royal Gorge Helicopter tour for epic views like this.Photo Courtesy: Visit Colorado Springs.
Consider a ride with the Royal Gorge Helicopter tour for epic views like this.Photo Courtesy: Visit Colorado Springs.
Ashlee Sack of Fremont Adventure Recreation crosses an old railroad bridge with brand new boards. This is part of a new effort to bring more trails to the area.Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette.
Ashlee Sack of Fremont Adventure Recreation crosses an old railroad bridge with brand new boards. This is part of a new effort to bring more trails to the area.Photo Credit: Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette.
The next time you're looking to explore a part of Colorado that is often overlooked, head straight to Cañon City for an epic adventure you won't soon forget.Photo Credit: DanielBendjy (iStock).
The next time you’re looking to explore a part of Colorado that is often overlooked, head straight to Cañon City for an epic adventure you won’t soon forget.Photo Credit: DanielBendjy (iStock).
A visitor to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park should be on every traveler's bucket list.Photo Credit: Eve Nagode, courtesy of Visit Colorado Springs.
A visitor to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park should be on every traveler’s bucket list.Photo Credit: Eve Nagode, courtesy of Visit Colorado Springs.
Spencer McKee

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