Start your first day in the Royal Gorge Region with a light breakfast…because soon enough you’ll be zooming 1,500 feet straight down into the gorge in a bright red helicopter with Mike Pond, owner and pilot of Royal Gorge Helitours. At speeds of 150 MPH, diving and climbing the Royal Gorge, grazing the Arkansas River and skimming over the Royal Gorge Bridge is not for the faint of heart! But for those seeking the thrill of a lifetime, there’s no better way to start your trip. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations are recommended.

Class V Thrills on the Arkansas River

Now that you’ve got your adrenaline pumping, strap on a life vest and get ready for a whitewater adventure. A half-day Royal Gorge trip is perfect for rafters seeking the most whitewater thrills. For a big adventure, go early in the season, late May to early July, to experience Class IV and Class V rapids that will threaten a spill around every curve. Experienced guides will keep you safe no matter what your skill level. If you’re looking for some rafting excitement, but want to start out slow for your first trip, Bighorn Sheep Canyon is the ideal introduction to whitewater rafting. This actionpacked and scenic section is an ideal trip for all ages and abilities.

Hang Out with Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours

or Captain Zip
 

Royal Gorge Zip Line Tours is Colorado's Newest World Class Zip Line Tour!

Get ready to take to the skies with the Royal Gorge regions newest outdoor adventure! Colorado Zip Line Tours at the Royal Gorge! we have 9 zip lines, spanning over a mile of exhilarating adventure with over a half mile of beautiful, informative & scenic hikes. 

Or zip over to Captain Zipline’s for another sky-high thrill ride. You’ll fly over the Lost Canyon on a zipline going up to 40 m.p.h.–the adrenaline rush just doesn’t end! Make your reservations early and be on time for your orientation on the “Bunny Zip” before you try one of the other six courses covering more than 2,000 linear feet of pure wind-in-yourhair excitement and a view of scenery 150 feet above the canyon floor.

Ziplining, as an amateur adventure, started in the Costa Rica Rain Forest Canopy Tours. It was brought to the U.S. by way of the Hawaiian Islands. The owners of Captain Zipline fashioned their courses after those tours and promise to have everyone leave with a smile on their face.

After a full day of zooming through the air and rushing downstream through rapids, there’s nothing like a satisfying meal. Downtown Cañon City has a number of options for a great meal including an Irish pub, French cuisine and many American-style eateries.

Trail Blazers Welcome

The Royal Gorge Region is home to miles of trails for all sorts of outdoor activities. Just 27 miles west of Cañon City is Texas Creek, where the Play Dirty ATV headquarters are located. The certified guides will outfit you and your group with goggles, ATVs (those aged 15 and younger can ride along in a 450cc Yamaha Side x Side ATV). After a safety course, your personal guide will take you 3,000 vertical feet up above the Arkansas River Valley floor on the challenging “Rough & Tumble” trail to an elevation of 9,100 feet. For less experienced or intermediate riders, Play Dirty ATV offers tours on many other trails throughout the protected forest land of Texas Creek.

Soar Above the Gorge

When you’ve finished picking the bugs out of your teeth, you might want to wait ‘til after the next adventure to have lunch… That’s because you’re bound to get butterflies in your stomach riding the world’s scariest Skycoaster® – The Royal Rush® is the highest Skycoaster® on planet Earth. Securely strapped in with up to two of your daredevil companions, the Royal Rush Skycoaster® pulls riders up 100 feet above its base and releases them to free-fall at 50 m.p.h.– swinging out above the Arkansas River at a heart-pounding height of 1,200 feet! If you want to tame things down, ride the Aerial Tram across the Gorge or take the Incline Railway 1,500 feet down to the canyon floor and experience what it must have been like when the railway was built in 1931. Once you’ve re-connected with terra firma, stop by The Grill for lunch – located by the Visitor’s Center within the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

Gorgeous Scenery and Singletrack Bliss

Cañon City is at the center of many mountain biking trails. Trailheads are easily accessible from US Highway 50 and can also be found along the scenic Gold Belt Tour (some of these roads may require four-wheel drive). One of the most popular areas to mountain bike is Red Canyon Park. Pedal through gorgeous sandstone rock and spires without the crowds that can be found in other mountain biking areas. Maps are available at the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce (719) 275-2331 or the Cañon City Recreation & Park District (719) 275-1578. As with any mountain bike ride, be sure to bring plenty of water, a cellular phone for emergencies and a trail or topographic map if you are unfamiliar with the area. Take into account the quickly-changing weather conditions, such as afternoon thunderstorms, that are common during the summer months in Colorado.

Horse-Friendly Trails

Would you rather explore the trails of the Royal Gorge Region on four legs instead of two wheels? You’re in luck because many of the trails in the Cañon City area are equestrian-friendly. Several campgrounds in the area also welcome horses and their owners.

Fearless Heights

A short drive north of Cañon City on County Road 9 will lead you to some of the best, most-challenging rock climbing in Colorado. Head to the popular Shelf Road Climbing Area where you’ll find hundreds of bolted routes. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to climb, but even in the heat of summer, there are routes that offer shade. A sport climber’s paradise, Shelf Road is a great location off the beaten path, but close enough to civilization to enjoy a great meal and a cold drink at the end of the day.

Soothing Hot Springs

An extensive adventure like this will leave you with the desire for a little relaxation. One of the most natural, therapeutic treatments to indulge in is a soak in a natural hot spring. Many facilities dot Colorado, and there are a few within driving distance of Cañon City.