News5 tries to compile a list of events happening across Colorado From a Switchbacks game to the Apple Blossom Festival The 87th Music and Blossom Festival returns to Cañon City! The event started on Wednesday and runs through Sunday. It features national high school and middle school bands and choirs competing and performing. Don't miss Saturday's parade along Main Street! It starts at 1 p.m. More information here The Furry Scurry returns to Denver! Each year, more than 3,000 scurriers and their pets walk and run at Washington Park in support of animals in the care of Humane Colorado. The event starts at 9 a.m. Saturday. If you want to register early, the packet pick-up event will be held at Washington Park at 4 p.m. on Friday. More information here it's worth noting that service members who retire and then teach at the Academy are considered civilian instructors Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5 Report a typo Known as Colorado’s Royal Gorge Region and located within its banana belt Cañon City offers world-class attractions and things to do year-round The area draws in visitors from all over to see the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park and its unique collection of dinosaur bones and fossils The Royal Gorge isn’t the only thing Cañon City has to offer From whitewater rafting and fishing to hiking and wine tasting it offers its visitors many outdoor and indoor experiences From tubing on the Arkansas River to flying through the air with thrilling ease on a zipline tour Staying the night? Check out camping near the Royal Gorge and the best hotels in Cañon City The Royal Gorge Route Railroad winds through the gorge near the Arkansas River granting passengers unforgettable views of the towering cliffs above Visitors can simply book a coach ticket and enjoy the views consider having lunch or dinner on this one-of-a-kind train Guests who book a dinner onboard the train can enjoy a delicious healthy three-course meal while soaring through the canyon Only offered on select weekend nights throughout the year the best way to experience the Royal Gorge passengers can enjoy lunch service and a full drinks menu featuring wines The Skyline Drive is a short scenic route overlooking Cañon City Finished in 1905 thanks primarily to labor from local inmates one-way road that features large cliffs and drop-offs so visitors should not be expecting a walk in the park The road is dotted with a few pull-offs where the views of Cañon City and the nearby area can be enjoyed Plus interpretive displays indicate where you can find ancient dinosaur tracks in the cliff face the beautiful views and steep drops make this a great attraction on a trip through Cañon City The Royal Gorge Bridge sits 956 feet above the Arkansas River making it the highest suspension bridge in America Visitors hoping to go out on the bridge and experience the Gorge from almost 1,000 feet up can purchase a ticket online Tickets also include access to the Aerial Gondolas and children’s playground Several other attractions exist at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park this fun and sometimes scary activity leads climbers to the edge of the Royal Gorge on iron rungs Another popular option is the Cloudscraper Zipline which sails across the Royal Gorge and gives brave visitors some of the best views in the park If the zipline across the Gorge at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park isn’t enough, consider checking out the Royal Gorge Zipline Tours Offering stunning views of the Royal Gorge plateau and even the beautiful peaks of the Sangre de Christo Range this activity is perfect for those hoping for an adventure Royal Gorge Zipline Tours offers two packages The classic package features nine tours and a maximum speed of 45 miles per hour has eleven zip lines and reaches a maximum speed of 55 MPH both packages are sure to provide an exhilarating experience soaring above the Royal Gorge plateau Another great way to experience the Royal Gorge and the surrounding stretches of the Arkansas River is by whitewater rafting Royal Gorge Zipline Tours also operates whitewater rafting tours and visitors can even purchase a combo ticket that includes both for a discount So beginners may want to search for an easier trip Royal Gorge Rafting offers full and half-day trips throughout the summer offers whitewater rafting tours of Bighorn Sheep Canyon which is considered one of the milder sections of the Arkansas River and they can expect to encounter rapids up to Class IV when the water level is high The Cañon City Whitewater Park is one of the best places to beat the summer heat in Fremont County and fast access across the bridge to downtown There are two whitewater features and a few bank terraces with sandstone steps. River tubers, kayerks and surfers use the Cañon City Whitewater Park throughout the summer There are complimentary life vests available for use beside the park Located less than 15 miutes east of downtown Cañon City, Observer Ranch features a modern Campground and Learning Center. In addition to camping options for RVs and tents you can also rent a travel trailer for the night The Learning Center features a slew of activities for kids and events for the whole family. Children can try on spacesuits, interact with a giant ball vacuum, use the sand diggers, and play with a bunch of games in the Little Spark Library. Each month Observer Ranch hosts get-togethers ranging from planetary playtimes and self-suffiency workshops to weather and astronomy mini-conferences Colorado has a thriving art community, and there’s no better way to support it than by checking out local art galleries. In Cañon City, a great option is The Artists’ Gallery Featuring the artwork of talented local artists this gallery is an easy way to get a sense of the rich artistry of Colorado and Cañon City Another popular option is the Fremont Center for the Arts in downtown Cañon City Offering art classes as well as rotating exhibits this arts center is another way to support local culture The section of the Arkansas River that flows between Salida and Cañon City offers some of the best fishing in Colorado anglers have great opportunities to catch good-sized rainbow and brown trout so there’s no shortage of ways to access the river Visitors hoping to float fish on the Arkansas River can book a trip with Arkansas River Tours in Cañon City Offering tours ranging in duration from an evening to full overnight trips this is a great way to access some of the best stretches of the river Situated on the historic site of the Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City The Winery At Holy Cross Abbey is a unique winery with a rich history dating back to the late nineteenth century when two Benedictine Monks opened the Abbey in 1886 this beautiful winery produces around 10,000 cases of award-winning wine each year Wine connoisseurs visiting Cañon City should be sure to stop by the tasting room Dine Al Fresco at the restaurant connected to the tasting room and enjoy a full-service menu paired with local wines For those without room in their luggage to bring a bottle of wine home consider shopping online on the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey’s website Sometimes considered the hidden gem of Cañon City, Red Canyon Park is located around seven miles north of downtown off Highway 50 Characterized by stark red rock formations this is a beautiful park that’s worth a visit Visitors are also welcome to leave the trail in favor of a more natural hiking experience One popular destination in the park is the natural arch Around two miles into the park off Red Canyon Road visitors can park in a small parking lot and hike approximately east-southeast to the arch and the only facilities are basic pit toilets There are a few small campgrounds for self-sufficient campers hoping to extend a stay in this beautiful area Garden Park Fossil Area has been the discovery site of fossils from many well-known species of dinosaurs and these fossils are displayed throughout the country at top museums This famous area is just six miles north of Cañon City and visitors can enjoy an hour or two exploring and reading the educational signs about the site’s rich history An inviting creek runs through the area with picnic tables open to the public Travelers can get glimpses of the Cleveland-Delfs Quarry from a pull-out on the road quarter-mile hike to the nearby Marsh-Felch Quarry There’s no shortage of great hiking in and around Cañon City. Visitors looking for a way to stretch their legs on the trail need not even leave the city. The Arkansas Riverwalk is a seven-mile trail that winds directly through downtown It follows an old railroad line and continues the course of the Arkansas River as it stretches through Cañon City and the surrounding area Another fantastic hiking option near Cañon City is the Royal Gorge Overlook Loop this is an easy trail that’s doable for the entire family and the views afforded by the Royal Gorge make this a great choice for all visitors More adventure-hungry visitors could consider hiking to Fremont Peak which tops out at 7.097 feet and is located near Cañon City and aside from a simple scramble to reach the summit The Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience is one of the best attractions in the area for children and adults alike especially those interested in history and paleontology The 10,000-square-foot museum is the most impressive part of the experience with displays of dinosaurs that once lived in this exact region in Colorado millions of years ago Included with the tickets is a guided tour to learn more about these incredible creatures and their time here in Colorado a short trail that features sixteen life-size check out a dinosaur film at the theater or find something to commemorate a trip at the gift shop the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience also has two ropes courses a Tykes course for smaller children and a larger Open year-round, weather-pending, the Four Mile Ranch Golf Club is a stunning place to play a round of golf It’s located a short drive east of downtown Cañon City This unique golf course has won several awards for top new golf courses The friendly and helpful staff make the experience all the better Play a round at one of most entertaining courses in the state Housed in a former Women’s Correctional Facility that was built in 1935, the Museum of Colorado Prisons gives visitors an inside look at what prison was like back in the day Exhibits cover 140 years of Colorado prison history plus a chance to see realistic prison cells Each of the thirty prison cells describes some phase of life in prison and there are even exhibits describing the history of famous Colorado inmates like Alferd Packer visitors can book a guided 90-minute tour and can even stay a bit longer with a multi-hour stay to investigate potential paranormal activity Bursting at the seams with opportunities for adventure, create your own with these things to do in Cañon City. For a more detailed look specifically at the region’s top attraction, consider these activities at the Royal Gorge William is a student studying English at Boston University Copyright © 2025 · Free Colorado Travel Guide | Vacations, Travel and Tourism · All Rights Reserved Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCANON CITY including first-degree assault out of Canon City was arrested in Colorado Springs on Wednesday evening The Canon City Police Department reportedly requested the help of the U.S Marshals and Colorado Violent Offender Task Force to find 50-year-old Stephen Garrett Police said Garrett was found in the 800 block of Garner St. He was arrested by Colorado US Marshals in cooperation with Colorado Springs Police tactical units Garrett was being held in the El Paso County Jail Garrett was also wanted for possession of a weapon by a previous offender and menacing