20 Attractions to Explore Near Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Buckskin Joe was a western-style theme park located west of Canon City, opened in 1957 and closed in 2010. It was a re-creation of the Buckskin Joe mining camp. It features of the park included gun fights, 30 authentic buildings from the Colorado 19th century frontier, themed entertainment, full service saloon and restaurant. There was also the Mystery House and a horse-drawn trolley ride. The town featured a donkey as the mayor.

Fremont Peak looms over the desert community of Cañon City Colorado and makes up an imposing section of the northeast rim of the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River. This scrappy little desert peak is part of a very small sub-range of mountains called the Gorge Hills. It is the highpoint of a narrow ridge of land with abrupt drops on both the east and the west. As a result, a visit to this peak is a pleasantly invigorating desert outing with knock-out views.

The Royal Gorge is a canyon of the Arkansas River located west of Cañon City, Colorado. The canyon begins at the mouth of Grape Creek, about 2 mi west of central Cañon City, and continues in a west-northwesterly direction for approximately 6 mi until ending near U.S. Route 50. Being one of the deepest canyons in Colorado, it is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas, with a maximum depth of 1,250 ft.

The Tunnel Drive Trail is an out-and-back hiking trail located in Cañon City, Colorado. The trail parallels and overlooks the Arkansas River and the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Popular with locals, the trail starts just inside the Cañon City city limits and then, crossing out of the city, it goes on State of Colorado and BLM land.

The Museum of Colorado Prisons was initially known as the Colorado State Women's Prison when it first opened its doors in 1935.The Museum was established with a view to collect, preserve, conserve, exhibit, and interpret the historical heritage of the Colorado Prison System. The Museum was also opened to serve as an incentive for historical research, education, and scholarly writings on the subject. It was equally meant to be a means to deter criminal activity.

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is a heritage railroad based in Cañon City, Colorado. A 1950s-era train makes daily 2-hour excursion runs from the Santa Fe Depot through the Royal Gorge along a famous section of the former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad.

Tanner Peak is a 13 mile round-trip hike. Starting elevation is 5,960 feet and the summit is 9,340 feet. The Peak is located just south of Canon City.Known more as a mountain biking or motor-bike destination than a hiking objective, this mountain nonetheless makes a fine off-season destination and is a great conditioning outing when the high country is uninviting.The views from the top of Tanner Peak are simply stunning.

Marsh Quarry explores one of the more prominent fossil areas. The short trail visits two overlooks both with educational information. The views from the Upper Overlook are worth the short hike.

Located on BLM lands, dinosaurs bones were discovered here in the 1870s, 1880s and 1950s. It’s situated in Cañon City on Colorado’s southern front range. Fossils of well-known species of large dinosaurs have been discovered at this site over the last 120 years. Many of the dinosaur fossils discovered at this site are on exhibit at museums around the country, including the Denver Museum of Natural History and so more.

The Indian Springs Trace Fossil Locality Natural Area contains trace fossils of animals that lived during the. Ordovician Period, 450 million years ago.It is considered North America's best site of trace fossils because its shows the movement of the ancient animals. Tracks left by the animals walking, swimming and burrowing in what had been a tidal lagoon's mudflat.

Phantom Canyon Road is one of the most scenic and historic drives in Colorado, in the Western United States. This unpaved scenic road connects Cañon City and Victor, going through Phantom Canyon and increases in elevation from 5,500 to 9,500 feet.The road is part of the Gold Belt Scenic Byway. The route contains many narrow roads and high wooden bridges. The road is popularly used for mountain biking and off-roading.

Shelf Road is a scenic byway located in Teller County, Colorado. The byway offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains and passes through several small towns. Shelf Road is also a popular destination for hiking, camping, and fishing. In addition to its natural beauty, Shelf Road is also home to a variety of historical sites. These include an old stagecoach stop and a mining town that was once a thriving community. Today, Shelf Road is a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike.

Phantom Canyon Road is a popular scenic drive in Teller County, Colorado. The road winds its way through the canyon, offering stunning views of the cliffs and rock formations. Along the way, there are several pull-offs where visitors can enjoy the scenery or take a short hike. The road is open year-round, but winter weather can make driving conditions challenging. For those looking for a truly memorable experience, Phantom Canyon Road is definitely worth the visit.

DeWeese Reservoir is located in northern Custer County, Colorado between the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Wet Mountains. The ditch and reservoir company owns the land under the reservoir and most of the land around it. The company has arrangements with other organizations to store water and for the use of the space.The lake and the land immediately surrounding it are also designated as the DeWeese Reservoir State Wildlife Area.

The Victor Lowell Thomas Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the region. The museum houses a collection of artifacts that date back to the early days of settlement in the area. Visitors can view exhibits on the history of mining, ranching, and farming in the region. The museum also features a research library that contains a wealth of information on the area's history. In addition, the museum offers a variety of educational programs for both adults and children.

Cripple Creek is a small city in Teller County, Colorado. The city is best known for its gold mining heritage, and many of the buildings in the town reflect this history. The Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Company operated several mines in the area, and the town grew up around these operations. Today, Cripple Creek is a popular tourist destination, with many visitors coming to experience the city's unique history and architecture. The city is also home to a number of casinos.

The Cripple Creek District Museum in Teller County, Colorado is a history museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Cripple Creek Mining District. The museum features a variety of exhibits on the geology, mining, and social history of the area. The museum also houses a research library and archives, which are open to the public. The Cripple Creek District Museum is an important resource for understanding the history of Colorado's mining industry.

The Cripple Creek and Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad was a narrow gauge railroad that operated in Teller County from 1894 to 1918. The line ran from Cripple Creek to Victor, and was used to transport ore from the mines to the mills. The railroad was used for passenger service as well, and had a station in Cripple Creek where tourists could board trains for a scenic ride through the mountains. It was abandoned in 1918, and the right-of-way was later sold to the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

The Beckwith Ranch is a historic cattle ranch in the Wet Mountain Valley of Custer County, Colorado, USA. The headquarters spread over eleven buildings, ten of which have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 20, 1998. It was established by Elton and Edwin Beckwith, two brothers from Mount Desert Island, Maine.

Mollie Kathleen Mine is located in Teller County, which is over 1000 feet deep and was started in 1891. It is named after Mollie Kathleen Gortner, who was the first woman to file a mining claim in the area. The mine produced over $20 million worth of gold before it closed in 1961. Visitors can ride an elevator down into the mine shaft and see firsthand how gold was extracted from the rock. The Mollie Kathleen Mine is a reminder of Colorado's rich history of gold mining.