FAMILY ADVENTURES
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Need maps? Download a FREE Adventure guide. Or, use the COTrex app to help you navigate the trails in our area. Maps are updated regularly and will even track you as you explore. You can even plan your own routes!
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There's plenty to do in the Royal Gorge Region for all ages. From little hikers to developing mountain bikers, there's a trail, a creek, a canyon, or a ride waiting.
Tips for hiking with kids:
Tips for hiking with kids:
- Bring plenty of snacks
- Bring lots of water
- Have them carry their own backpack with whatever fun stuff they want (yes, even a book or toys!)
- We've all done it - bribe them with chocolate or a treat!
- Hike to something "fun", a water feature, a pond, or interpretive signs
- Use a mapping app to help kids navigate and follow along. We recommend COTrex or Trailforks.
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Walk Through Time
Location: Pueblo Community College, Fremont Campus Trailhead: PCC Parking Lot, east side Distance: .25 mile loop Check out interpretive markers and a nice path around the "front yard" of the campus. There is no traffic from cars or many other users, so it's a great, safe course for kids. See the giant stegosaurus and learn about the formation of fossils. |
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Find the Dinos!
Location: Across Cañon City Trailhead: n/a There are dinosaurs all over Cañon City! Check out the online map and see if you can find them all. They're painted by local artists / groups who worked hard to create these incredible works of art. |
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Riverwalk East
Location: South Cañon Trails CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/116961 Distance: 2 miles out-and-back The Riverwalk is over 7 miles long, so there are plenty of trailheads and sections that you can walk or bike with kids. Park at the Sells Avenue Trailhead (from 9th St., turn onto Sells Avenue and it dead-ends into the trailhead) and head east (downstream) to see a scenic, peaceful stretch that gets you away from roads and any traffic. |
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Tunnel Drive
Distance: .5 miles (or more!) CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/94779 Tunnels! Just .25 miles from the trailhead leads you to three historic tunnels, once used to help carry water through a pipe from the river to the City of Cañon City. You can walk to the tunnels and turn around, or keep going up to 2 miles to the end, where you might see bighorn sheep or other animals. The trail follows the river but there is NO river access. |
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Greenhorn Fossils
Location: Hogbacks Open Space Distance: .4 miles (or more!) Trailhead: Floral Ave. / Washington St. CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/116958 Begin at the Floral Avenue Trailhead to access Greenhorn - a wide trail that leads to some great interpretive trail markers. Or start at Washington and head up Old Skyline and turn R at the road to see REAL fossils embedded in the rocks. |
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Old Skyline Drive
Location: Hogbacks Open Space Trailhead: Washington St. Distance: 1 mile CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/91073 Start at the Washington Street trailhead and head straight up Old Skyline. At the top, turn right and head down the road (be very careful of traffic, which is coming uphill) and check out the cool dino prints. Learn more about the "giant lizards" which used to live in this area! |
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Overlook Loop
Location: Royal Gorge Trails Trailhead: Canyon Rim Distance: 1.5 miles CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/116959 Incredible views of the Royal Gorge, including the famed Royal Gorge Bridge, are visible on this hike. There are many trails to take, but kids may love the Overlook Loop, pictured here. There is some exposure (dropoffs) so keep little ones close. |
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Point Alta Vista
Location: Royal Gorge Trails Trailhead: Point Alta Vista Distance: 2.2 miles out-and-back CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/85507 Visit historic trestles, views of the Gorge, and the old Royal Gorge Scenic Railway depot on this fun hike through juniper trees to the rim of the Gorge. Just 1.1 mile each way (out and back), this trail does have some trestles, but all have guard rails. Trail is wide and mostly flat. Hike or ride bikes. |
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Grape Creek
Location: South Cañon Trails Trailhead: Ecology Park Distance: 1.6 miles CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/115651 Grape Creek usually runs low enough for kids to play safely. Higher flows happen in spring, but summertime offers a welcome respite from heat...not to mention rocks to throw, frogs to find, and other distractions. Visit in winter to play with ice, climb on rocks, and have fun! |
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Sand Hill
Location: South Cañon Trails Trailhead: Ecology Park Distance: 2 miles out-and-back CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/117014 This trail begins at the Eagle Wing Trailhead and follows singletrack throughout lower South Cañon trails. Enjoy views from Schepp Ridge and summit "Sand Hill" (a mis-nomer as there are LOTS of cool rocks up there!) for a great trek. |
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Slot Canyon at Redemption
Location: South Cañon Trails Trailhead: Redemption Distance: 1.25 miles out-and-back CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/117088 Ready for a fun adventure? Find the slot canyon at the bottom of Redemption trail by following the trail down to the dry creek bed and turning left (west) into the slot. You'll have to do some climbing to get in! Please be respectful and DO NOT add any graffiti or etchings in this beautiful canyon. |
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Marsh-Felch Quarry
Location: Near Oil Well Flats Trail System Trailhead: Marsh-Felch Quarry Trailhead (with restrooms and parking) Distance: 1-2 miles out-and-back CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/116963 Play in the creek at the trailhead, cross the road (carefully) and head out on the trail to see where the historic "Bone Wars" took place in the late 1800's. Fossils from this quarry now reside in the Denver Museum of Nature and Science! Plenty of interpretive signage will help you on your way, where you can turn around whenever you like, but go up to 1 mile in and 1 mile back. |
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Newlin Creek
Location: Florence Mountain Park Trailhead: Newlin Creek Distance: Varies CoTrex Route: https://trails.colorado.gov/routes/116965 Newlin Creek is located just outside of Florence and allows you to feel 'in the mountain's while just driving a short distance. You'll be among pine trees and scrub oak while also following the creek for an opportunity to play in the water. |
MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDES WITH KIDS
SKILLS PARK
'The Yard' mountain bike skills park is located at the Eagle Wing Trailhead (off of Colburn Lane, near Riverside Drive). Kids can do laps while parents follow along or hang out at the shaded pavilion.
Kids should aready have some mountain bike experience and should NOT attempt features if they're not ready. There is a green (easier) line and a blue (harder) line with appropriate features. Ride at your ability level! |
TUNNEL DRIVE
This section of the Arkansas Rivewalk is located at the westernmost end. It even has it's own trailhead, located at the terminus of Tunnel Drive (off Hwy. 50). Park here and it's only .25 miles (with a walk-able hill) to the tunnels. From this point, it's a flat and easy additional 2 miles to the end of the trail.
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ROYAL GORGE
When your kids are ready for some technical elements, try heading out to the Royal Gorge Park. To practice some intermediate uphill and downhill, try parking at the small parking lot on CR3A and heading up Twisted Cistern. Go back down it for a fun descent, or try the Overlook Loop (some steep exposure, be be sure they're ready) to add some gorgeous mileage.
S'mores is an easy trail the surrounds the East Ridge Campground at the Royal Gorge. Access it off CR3A and park in the large parking area overlooking the city. S'mores is .5 mile loop. |
CLIMBING WITH KIDS
HARRISON PARK
Location: Harrison Park
Distance from town: 1 mile At Harrison Park in Cañon City, there is a small climbing wall and boulder that kids can try out. The park also features a soccer field and playground equipment, so it's a great way to introduce kids to using handholds and getting comfortable lifting their bodyweight. |
CLIMBING GYM
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SHELF ROAD
Location: 12 miles north of town
Distance from town: 30 minutes Shelf Road is easily accessible by car and a short hike. There are a number of routes that are appropriate for learning climbers. Be sure that you are well-versed in climbing procedures, safety, and equipment care. Bring plenty of water and snacks as there are no facilities at this BLM-managed area. |
INDOOR / OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
RGMHC
Visit the Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center for FREE. Not only does the museum have plenty of great programs throughout the year, but they also have a great paleontology display and kids can even touch a real dinosaur bone! Check out the 'rocks and minerals' display and kids get a FREE rock to take home.
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ROYAL GORGE DINO XP
Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience is a fun place to take kids. They have a number of dinosaur fossil skeletons (life-sized!), plus anamatronic dinos on the Wild Walk. Kids can also burn off some energy playing on the ropes course.
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Need maps? Download a FREE Adventure guide. Or, use the COTrex app to help you navigate the trails in our area.
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