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Best things to do in Cañon City

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Where in the world: USA  /  Colorado  /  Cañon City

Top 15 things to do in Cañon City

1. River Rafting & Tubing

Feel the adrenaline rush as you splash down the rapids of beautiful Arkansas River during a river rafting and tubing tour from Canon City. You'll experience Colorado whitewater at its finest, while you paddle alongside your expert guide past towering walls of the challenging Royal Gorge, one of the top-rated rafting runs in the country. First-time rafters can opt for a less challenging family-friendly rafting trip through Bighorn Sheep Canyon--even children older than 5 can join in that one. Most tours last either half a day (starting by 1pm at the latest) or full day, and are not suitable for persons under the age of 14. Available from April 1 until Labor Day.
Suggested duration: 3h 30 min
Learn more about River Rafting & Tubing
Tours including River Rafting & Tubing:

2. Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park boasts the highest bridge in the United States, spanning the gorge at 291 m (955 ft) above the Arkansas River. You'll appreciate the view by crossing the bridge on foot to peer down into the canyon below. In the park, you'll find a sky coaster that carries you over the gorge at high speeds. A gondola ride down the river adds a little romance to the great outdoors, while ziplines and mini trains allow you to give your feet a rest. Start at the visitor center to purchase tickets and pick up a map of the area.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Learn more about Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Tours including Royal Gorge Bridge and Park:

3. Skyline Drive

Offering scenic views of Canon City and Arkansas River Valley, Skyline Drive is one of Colorado's hidden gems. The drive was built in 1905 by inmates from the nearby prison who were awarded time off of their sentence for every month they worked on this short scenic roadway that winds and falls like a roller coaster about 240 m (800 ft) above the surrounding terrain. If you're afraid of heights, think twice before testing your driving skills.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
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Tours including Skyline Drive:
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4. Tunnel Drive

Suggested duration: 2 hours
Learn more about Tunnel Drive

5. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Mosca

The tallest dunes in North America are the centerpiece in a diverse landscape of wetlands, grasslands, forests, alpine lakes and tundra.

Visit the park website for extensive information about the park, including planning your visit, weather information, campgrounds, Medano Creek conditions and forecast flow, Medano Pass Road conditions, nature and science, and more:

http://www.nps.gov/grsa

About the Great Sand Dunes Facebook Page

The Great Sand Dunes Facebook page was established by the National Park Service in 2008 as an interpretive outreach forum to strengthen public connections to park resources, and to encourage visitors to share experiences of the park with each other. You are welcome to "like" and comment on status updates, links, photos, and video clips posted here by park staff and visitors.

If you wish to express a comment or question about something related to the park in a formal and official capacity, please visit the park's contact page for email, phone numbers, and physical addresses:

http://www.nps.gov/grsa/contacts.htm

Guidelines for the Great Sand Dunes Facebook Page

While this is an open forum, it is a family-friendly one. Be aware that we may remove posts and comments that are inappropriate.

We do not allow graphic, obscene, explicit or racist comments or submissions, nor do we allow comments that are violent, abusive, hateful, or intended to defame anyone or any organization.

We do not allow comments that threaten, defame or violate the privacy of any person.

Comments including phone numbers, e-mail addresses, residential addresses or similar information will be removed.

We do not allow solicitations or advertisements. This includes promotion or endorsement of any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency. Similarly, we do not allow attempts to defame or defraud any financial, commercial or non-governmental agency.

We do not allow comments that suggest or encourage illegal activity.

We do not allow comments that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems.

You participate at your own risk, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information provided.

The appearance of external links on this site does not constitute official endorsement on behalf of the National Park Service.

Communication made through this service’s e-mail and/or messaging system will not constitute a legal or official notice or comment to the National Park Service or any official or employee of the National Park Service.
Suggested duration: 8 hours
Learn more about Great Sand Dunes National Park

6. The Gold Mine Rock Shop

Suggested duration: 2 hours
Learn more about The Gold Mine Rock Shop

7. Off-Road Tours, Buena Vista

Suggested duration: 2h 30 min
Learn more about Off-Road Tours

9. The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey

The tasting room at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey is in an Arts and Craftsmen cottage that was built by P. H. Troutman of Denver, Colorado, in 1911. The sweeping arches and post and beam structure are fabulous examples of this architecture. The winery produces 14 wines, 10 of which are complimentary to taste. Linens from Provence, pottery from Spain, Tunisia, Portugal and France, and a vast array of food, wine and travel books are just a sampling of the beautiful items sold in the tasting room.
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Learn more about The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey

10. River Rafting & Tubing, Buena Vista

Tackle the wicked whitewater on Colorado's supreme rafting river during a rafting and tubing trip from Buena Vista. Put on a wetsuit and paddle alongside your safety-minded guide, before charging down a foaming river cutting its way through Brown's Canyon and Royal Gorge. With a variety of trips to choose from, you can opt for the one that suits your skill level--from a family-friendly scenic float down mild waters, to action-packed adventure for fierce die-hard adrenaline seekers. Although no previous experience is necessary to take these half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips, there is an age limit (minimum age 6).
Suggested duration: 3 hours
Learn more about River Rafting & Tubing
Tours including River Rafting & Tubing:

12. Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine, Cripple Creek

Take a deep dive into the Rocky Mountains at Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine to find out more about the fascinating history of Colorado's gold rush days. Discovered by Mollie Kathleen Gortner in 1891, the mine produced gold for decades until 1961, when it was closed and turned into a seasonal tourist attraction. Don your hard hat and start your tour by descending 300 m (1,000 ft) underground. As you follow your miner/guide you'll see real gold veins and historic mining equipment. Finally, you'll get to ride aboard the air-powered tram-air locomotive. Back on the surface, more historic equipment and outbuildings wait to be explored.
Suggested duration: 1h 30 min
Learn more about Mollie Kathleen Gold Mine

13. Four Mile Ranch Golf Club

Four Mile Ranch is a nationally recognized Jim Engh-designed golf course.

"Top Ten Places To Play" Golf Magazine

#4 "Best New Public Course 2008" Golf Digest
Suggested duration: 2 hours
Learn more about Four Mile Ranch Golf Club

15. New Horizons Thrift Store

Suggested duration: 1h 30 min
Learn more about New Horizons Thrift Store