1% for Trails - Helping to make Cañon City 
Southern Colorado's Adventure Destination!

Cañon City, Colorado already has a series of great hiking, mountain biking, and walking trails. Increasingly, Cañon City's residents and out-of-town visitors are exhibiting a greater interest in outdoor recreation. Visitors to the area bring much-needed business to local restaurants, hotels, and attractions. We would like to harness everyone's spending power to create a cooperative relationship - customer dollars create great trails, and great trails bring them back for more! But we need your help!

How It Works

Businesses around Fremont County elect to add a 1% donation onto their customer's bill. (Customers, in turn, have the option to opt out of the donation.) Contributions are then distributed directly to FAR. All monies collected from these 1% donations are collectively used to fund trails and outdoor recreation in the Royal Gorge Region. Our 1% For Trails initiative funds all things trails and outdoor recreation: matching funds for grants, grant writing, trail building, trail design, and more. Concurrently, FAR will continue to contribute to local efforts to market to and encourage users of single track trails to visit our beautiful city!

What We've Accomplished So FAR...

Here's what we've spent our 1% For Trails funds on so far:

- Over 15 miles of NEW trail in the Royal Gorge Park
- Construction of Smooth Criminal, Cañon City's first flow trail
- Construction of The Yard - Cañon City's new mountain bike skills park
-  Cutting weeds off of the new Graneros trail in the Hogbacks;
- Rock work on the Dakota Ridge trail in the Hogbacks;
- 1.6 miles of additional trail in Oil Well Flats - MOOve Over
- Construction of over 9 miles of trail with the new grant-funded South Cañon Trails system;

Where we are headed...

- Continue a positive working relationship with the BLM to expand the Oil Well Flats trail network and to ensure that the Oil Well Flats area remains a positive trail experience;
- Working with the City of Cañon City and the BLM to plan, design, and construct the Royal Gorge Loop trail;
- Further 1% For Trails' reach with more community partners.

1% for Trails Contributors

Whitewater Bar & Grill
In addition to great food and fantastic entertainment, Whitewater Bar & Grill also provides an opportunity to give back to local trails. Stop here for a perfect post-ride meal or brew. 
Royal Gorge KOA
Stay with Royal Gorge KOA and you're contributing to local trails - including the Royal Gorge Park Trails, located just 1 mile from the campground! Stay at the KOA and enjoy a pool, beautiful views, and even a connecting trail that will take you to public trail systems at the Royal Gorge Trails. Book now for your spring, fall, summer, or winter getaways!
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey
Visit this historic property and sip award-winning wine while gazing over acres of vineyards. The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey features a tasting room where you can try their many varieties of wines. 
The Bean Pedaler
Stop in to fuel up with a coffee or snack, or head down to the Bean Pedaler after your ride / hike for a cold brew. Whatever you're looking for, the knowledgeable staff at this local favorite can point you in the right direction or serve up a great cup of joe. End your bike ride here and get a special beer discount!
Royal Gorge Route Railroad

This iconic and  historic train route was brought back to life by the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Their presence in our community has helped revitalize the tourism industry in Fremont County. Their support of trails in the area shows their commitment to quality of life for employees and additional opportunities for recreation and fun for their guests. 
Royal Gorge Rafting and Zipline Tours
Looking for adventure? You'll find it at Royal Gorge Rafting and Zipline tours, where you can experience the best of whitewater rafting - class II-IV. 
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
The famed Royal Gorge Bridge soars over 1,000 feet over the Arkansas River, and you can take a stroll across it...or brave the Cloud Scraper Zipline. Visit the historic carousel, the Tommyknocker children's playland, or the new gondolas, too! 
Echo Canyon River Expeditions
Looking for a family-friendly adventure or a high-adrenaline whitewater rafting trip? Echo Canyon has been providing rafting trips for over 40 years, and they excell at providing high-quality experiences. 
CrossFit Cañon City
Looking for a gym that also provides a support system, a high-energy environment, and convenient class times? Visit CrossFit Cañon City for the first week for FREE, and you'll never want to leave...
Little Canyon Inn | @littlecanyoninn 
A boutique motel located minutes from main attractions in the Royal Gorge Region. Equal parts vintage, modern and unique the Little Canyon Inn is truly a unique stay. Vintage motel exterior and accents, modern updates with private patios viewing mountains. Family owned and operated, a stay at Little Canyon Inn is the best basecamp for your Royal Gorge adventures.
Driftwood and Clay Art Studio | @driftwoodandclay
Looking for something special for you, a friend, or a loved one? Check out the fabulous, funky gifts and home decor at Driftwood and Clay. Owner Beki also hosts a number of art classes, including batik, linograph printing, stained glass, and more! Stop in to see what you can find...
Outdoor recreation isn't just "fun". Attracting recreation and trail users to our area boosts our local economy, too. Whether it's locals purchasing a bike, visitors staying overnight at a campground, or runners fueling up their vehicle after heading out for a run, recreation purchases put money back into our small businesses and organizations. 

Outdoor Industry Association
Economic Impact Study
https://outdoorindustry.org/state/colorado/

Headwaters Economics
How Outdoor Recreation Supports Rural Economic Development
https://headwaterseconomics.org/economic-development/trends-performance/outdoor-recreation/

Headwaters Economics
Recreation Counties Attract New Residents and Higher Incomes
​https://headwaterseconomics.org/economic-development/trends-performance/recreation-counties-attract/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jp_medium&utm_term=jp_term&utm_content=jp_content&utm_campaign=jp_campaign

Outside Magazine
How Mountain Biking is Saving Small-Town America
https://www.outsideonline.com/2184491/how-mountain-biking-saving-small-town-usa

outdoor recreation and our economy

We are thankful for some of the great local press that our area has recieved! Check out these great articles on the Royal Gorge Region, Cañon City, our mountain bike trails, and our running events.

The Know - The Denver Post
Ditch the Mountains This Winter and Head to Southern Colorado Instead

Singletracks.com
The 11 Newest MTB Trails from Around the World [November 2020]
https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/the-9-newest-mtb-trails-from-around-the-world-november-2020/

The Gazette
Happy Trails: Cañon City’s Backyard-to-Backcountry Paradise
https://gazette.com/life/happy-trails-ca-on-city-s-backyard-to-backcountry-paradise/article_36106c32-ec30-11e8-bdcc-5fbcd9640d98.html

Singletracks.com
10 Best US Mountain Bike Towns with the Lowest Cost of Living
https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/10-best-us-mountain-bike-towns-lowest-cost-living/

Singletracks.com
Mountain Biking Cañon City, Colorado: The Little City that Could
https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-trails/canon-city-colorado-the-little-city-that-could/

Out There Colorado
Explore Colorado’s Newest Trails in the Royal Gorge Region
https://www.outtherecolorado.com/explore-colorados-newest-trails-in-the-royal-gorge-region/

Out There Colorado
Panoramic Views Waiting at Fremont Peak Near Royal Gorge
https://www.outtherecolorado.com/panoramic-views-waiting-at-fremont-peak-near-royal-gorge/

REI
10 Best Front Range Mountain Bike Rides
https://www.rei.com/blog/cycle/denvers-front-range-10-best-mountain-bike-rides

Driftwood & Clay Studio | @driftwoodandclayart
Driftwood and Clay offers a unique retail shopping experience carrying handmade artisan goods. Stop in for gifts, home decor, outdoor gear, and other items. Check their Facebook and Instagram for opportuntiites to take a class: batik, stained glass, painting, an