Canon City, Colorado

Cañon City is located in southern Colorado, 43 miles (69 kilometers) northwest of Pueblo and 50 miles (80 kilometers) southwest of Colorado Springs. It is the seat of Fremont County, and is home to 15,431 people.

The city is located on the bank of the Arkansas River, and developed as a supply depot during the 1859 Pikes Peak gold rush. Nearby Royal Gorge gave the city its name (cañon is Spanish for "canyon") and is also one of the city's star attractions. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is more than 127 years, and offers a luxurious tour of the entire canyon. After getting off the train, pay a visit to Buckskin Joe Frontier Town. Here the Old West comes to vivid life, and the town has served as a filming locale for more than 20 films. You can also ride through Royal Gorge on horseback, or get a bird's eye view via a helicopter tour. Thrill-seekers can join a skydiving excursion or a whitewater rafting trip.

The Royal Gorge Bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the world, and may be even more spectacular than the gorge itself! Completed in 1929, this bridge stretches for 1,260 feet (384 meters), and offers visitors an unforgettable "journey through the clouds." A recent addition is the Royal Rush Skycoaster. Touted as the "Scariest Skycoaster in the World," it lifts riders 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River, then drops them for a thrilling, 100-foot (30-meter) freefall. Other Royal Gorge Park attractions include the Wapiti Western Wildlife Park, a petting zoo, and the Mountain Men Encampment.

Beyond the gorge, the city is surrounded by parks and recreation areas, including the Pike & San Isabel National Forests.

For more kid-friendly fun, visit the Dinosaur Depot and the Cañon City Municipal Museum. The Museum of Colorado Prisons offers a dramatic and chilling look at prison life, including the hangman's noose, gas chamber, and 32 cells filled with exhibits and life-sized models. Looking for a great show? The Fremont Civic Theatre has been entertaining audiences since 1947, and is the oldest continuously active community theater in Colorado.

Cañon City, Colorado offers an enticing blend of natural beauty, history, and family fun!

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