Hiking and biking:
Trails to explore in the Royal Gorge region
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Wondering where to hike or ride when you visit Cañon City? Below is a sampling of some of the trail systems you’ll find throughout the region. You can check trail conditions on the Fremont Adventure Recreation website (joinfar.org).
(Note: mileage approximations provided by Fremont Adventure Recreation.)
Oil Well Flats (14 miles)
Though there used to be only jeep trails and dispersed camping at this Blm-managed area north of the city, you can now ride dedicated single-track trails (and some dirt roads) offering flowy rides, rocky climbs and views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the city below. The majority of the trails here are rated intermediate, but there are some beginner and advanced options. It’s also a good spot for camping, hiking, horseback riding and walking your dog.
South Cañon Trails (20 miles)
The South Cañon trail system is easy to access from downtown Cañon City via the Riverwalk Trail. It offers a little something for everyone. Mutton Bustin’ is a great place for little rippers or beginners, while the aptly named Hard Time (a nod to the region’s prisons) is a technical, steep climb with great views. These trails are also open to hikers, horseback riders and dog walkers.
Royal Gorge Park (18 miles, with 3 more miles in the works)
The iconic bridge and other attractions make up a small section of the 5,000-acre, cityowned Royal Gorge Park. Before the new trail system, hikers and bikers could bushwhack, but couldn’t really access much of the landscape, says Ashlee Sack, coordinator for Fremont Adventure Recreation, a nonprofit that advocated for and helped build many new trails in the region. Since 2014, volunteers and crews have added 18 miles of trails in the park, ranging from novice to advanced.
Hogback Open Space Recreation Area (6 miles)
If you’re into geology and history, you’ll want to check out the trails at Hogback Open Space, located along the Dakota Hogback Ridge, a geological formation that extends for several hundred miles. Here you’ll find crusher-fine and clay-soil trails, many that are family-friendly. Graneros, for example, is a flowy beginner trail that runs along the flank of the ridge. For a challenge, consider Dakota Ridge, which offers an incredibly steep descent. If you prefer a scenic cruise instead, coast along Skyline Drive and check out the dinosaur footprints.