Explore Fremont: Royal Gorge, River and Culture

Fremont offers visitors several distinct themes: the Royal Gorge, trails along the Arkansas River, climbing and regional history. The Royal Gorge Bridge hangs 956 feet above the Arkansas River and opened in 1929. Royal Gorge Bridge & Park also offers a guided via ferrata climbing experience on the granite walls of the Royal Gorge. When choosing a vacation rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: river trails, climbing, railroads or museums.

Royal Gorge: Bridge and Climbing Experience

The bridge and the guided climbing experience offer different highlights: one is a structure with a clearly documented historical date, while the other is a via ferrata tour on the granite walls of the gorge. Including both in your travel plans offers two different ways to experience the Royal Gorge, without treating them as a single experience.

River Trails and Trails

The Arkansas River crosses Fremont County from west to east. The seven-mile Arkansas Riverwalk runs along the river through Cañon City and beyond. The South Cañon Trails connect to it, expanding access for walkers, hikers and cyclists. An easy route from the parking area on County Road 3A leads to the historic railroad bridges at Point Alta Vista and back along the same route; it is 1.1 miles long in total. Trail conditions can change, so check them before your visit.

Those looking to compare longer routes will find four major trail systems in Fremont County, each more than 12 miles long: Hogbacks Open Space and Recreation Area, Royal Gorge Trails, South Cañon Trails and Oil Well Flats. The Parkdale Recreation Site provides public access before the Arkansas River enters the Royal Gorge. Fremont County also includes the Rincon, Point Barr, Vallie Bridge and Five Points sites of the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area.

River and Railroad

The Arkansas River is classified as a Gold Medal river. Along its course from Leadville to Cañon City, there are nearly 80 miles of public access and opportunities to catch brook and rainbow trout. Regulations can change, so check the current rules before fishing.

The railroad is another practical option for your plans: the Royal Gorge Route Railroad departs daily from the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City. Check the schedule if you plan to include the train ride in your stay.

Climbing at Shelf Road

Shelf Road offers nearly 1,000 mostly bolted sport climbing routes on pocketed limestone. This sets the area apart from the guided via ferrata on the granite walls of the Royal Gorge. Shelf Road also has two campgrounds: Sand Gulch has 14 sites, and The Banks has 33. These site counts give you a concrete way to compare the two campgrounds by size.

Art and History in Fremont

Founded in 1947, the Fremont Center for the Arts is the oldest continuously operating nonprofit art center west of the Mississippi. The Museum of Colorado Prisons displays Warden Roy Best’s office furnishings, as well as documentation of the prison riots of 1929 and 1947. The Royal Gorge Regional Museum and History Center features exhibits and provides research materials on the history of the region and its people. One exhibit is dedicated to the history of the film industry in Fremont County.

The Historical Expo at the Plaza Theater in Royal Gorge Bridge & Park features artifacts and historical photographs about the Royal Gorge Railroad War and the construction of the bridge. These topics differ from the museum collections on prison history and the region. You can choose from exhibits about a specific historical conflict, bridge construction and other aspects of regional history when planning your stay.

When choosing a vacation rental, consider the destinations that matter most to you during your stay. Comparing river trails, climbing experiences, the railroad and museums can help you decide what mix of activities you want for your travel days.

Explore more destinations: Cañon City, San Juan County, Moffat County, Larimer, Las Animas, Grand, Sedgwick County, Kiowa

For the broader travel overview: Colorado.