Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
tion cars from Cañon City to Parkdale and back through the majestic gorge. Riding these
rails along the Arkansas River is unforgettable.
Trips range from the basic to more eventful journeys with lunch, dinner, wine, and even
a murder. Make that a staged murder, which you can help solve. Then there's the Santa
Express, a popular family trip during the Christmas season. Trips begin and end at the old
Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City.
Fort Royal Stables
( 866-678-8880;
www.fortroyalstables.com
; 44899 Hwy 50; per person per hr $30; 9am-5pm)
Cañon City's
top horseback outfitter, just east of the Royal Gorge turnoff, offers some tremendous rides
through high plains country with massive mountain and Royal Gorge views. It accepts
walk-ins, but the three-hour rides require a reservation and a four-person minimum.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Sleeping & Eating
Cañon City is no pageant winner, and as almost all sleeping options are right on the high-
way, you'd be better off spending the night in Salida or Florence if possible.
Sand Gulch Campground
(
www.blm.gov
;
Red Canyon Rd; tent sites $7)
This first-come, first-served BLM-managed camp-
ground is north of Cañon City on Red Canyon/Shelf Rd and is mostly used by climbers;
the desert location is ideal. There is no water here. A similar site, the Banks, is further
north.
CAMPGROUND
$
Best Value Inn
( 719-275-3377;
www.americasbestvalueinn.com
; 1925 Fremont Dr; d $89; )
Rooms are de-
cent value and three-star quality with fresh paint, a rather nice showerhead and crown
moldings. Family units are huge with two queen beds and a sofa, but you do get Hwy 50
traffic noise here. The sign outside says 'Royal Gorge Lobby.'
MOTEL
$
American Inn
( 719-269-1158; 1231 Royal Gorge Blvd; r $45; )
No frills, and as clean and cheap as
rooms get in Cañon City. Sure, you get a touch of the prison-visitor traffic, but that's all
part of the adventure.
MOTEL
$
Hampton Inn
HOTEL
$$
