The Arkansas River crosses Fremont County from west to east. The Royal Gorge Bridge hangs 956 feet above the river and opened in 1929; the granite walls of the Royal Gorge are also home to a guided via ferrata climbing experience at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. River paths, climbing and historic sites give your trip a range of different focuses.
River Paths, Trails and Climbing
The Arkansas Riverwalk is seven miles long, follows the Arkansas River and runs through Cañon City and beyond. The South Cañon Trails connect to the Riverwalk and extend access for walkers, hikers and cyclists. Fremont County has four major trail systems, each with more than twelve miles of trails: Hogbacks Open Space and Recreation Area, Royal Gorge Trails, South Cañon Trails and Oil Well Flats.
For a shorter, clearly described hike, an easy trail leads from the parking lot on County Road 3A to the historic railroad bridges at Point Alta Vista and back along the same route. The out-and-back is 1.1 miles long. Trail conditions can change, so it’s a good idea to check them before your visit. For a different scale, Shelf Road offers almost 1,000 sport climbing routes on pocketed limestone, most of them bolted. There are two campgrounds along Shelf Road: Sand Gulch has 14 sites, and The Banks has 33.
River access points are also useful to know about: the Parkdale Recreation Site provides public access before the Arkansas River enters the Royal Gorge. Fremont County is also home to Rincon, Point Barr, Vallie Bridge and Five Points, sites within the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. For anglers, the Arkansas River is designated a Gold Medal water. Along its course from Leadville to Cañon City, there are almost 80 miles of public access, as well as opportunities to catch brown and rainbow trout. Fishing regulations may change; check the current rules before your trip.
Art and Regional History
Founded in 1947, the Fremont Center for the Arts is the oldest continuously operating nonprofit arts center west of the Mississippi. The Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center presents exhibits on the region’s history and people, and provides research materials. One exhibit also explores the history of the film industry in Fremont County.
At the Museum of Colorado Prisons, you can see Warden Roy Best’s office furnishings and materials about the prison riots of 1929 and 1947. The Historical Expo at the Plaza Theater at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park focuses on the Royal Gorge Railroad War and the construction of the bridge, with artifacts and historical photographs on display. The exhibits offer a range of perspectives, from the arts institution and film history to prisons, the railroad conflict and bridge construction.
Planning Your Excursions
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad departs daily from the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City. If you’re planning your trip around the train ride, check the current schedule in advance. On Skyline Drive, a self-guided heritage tour takes about an hour; check local conditions before driving. This time estimate can be factored into your day differently from the clearly specified out-and-back route at Point Alta Vista.
Explore more destinations: Canon City, Huerfano County, Clear Creek, Pueblo, Gunnison County, Gilpin County, Mesa, Saguache County.
For the broader travel overview: Colorado.
