Planning the Perfect Royal Gorge Vacation: A Complete Itinerary

The Royal Gorge region has enough to fill a week of adventures, but if you only have 2-3 days, here's how to make the most of your trip.

Day 1: Arrive and Settle In

• Morning: Drive to Canon City (2 hours from Denver, 45 minutes from Colorado Springs)
• Afternoon: Check into your riverside cabin, glamping tent, or campsite
• Evening: Explore downtown Canon City or relax by the river

Day 2: Rafting Day

• Morning: Bighorn Sheep Canyon rafting trip (Class II-III): our most popular family-friendly trip
• Lunch: Riverside lunch (included with the All Day Rafting trip, or grab food in town)
• Afternoon: Upgrade to the All Day Rafting trip and add the Royal Gorge (Class III-V) afternoon section, or relax at camp
• Evening: Campfire dinner and stargazing

Day 3: Air and Zip

• Morning: Classic 9-line Zipline Tour or Extreme 11-line Tour with the dare-to-drop
• Midday: Helicopter tour over the Royal Gorge: Bridge Run (5 minutes, $69), Canyon Run (10 minutes, $120), River Run (15 minutes, $165), or Bighorn (25 minutes, $249)
• Afternoon: Visit the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
• Evening: Farewell dinner in Canon City

Where to Eat

• Whitewater Bar & Grill: Whitewater-themed restaurant and bar with craft cocktails just up Highway 50 (our sister restaurant)
• Rooftop Social: Rooftop bar and restaurant in downtown Canon City (also in our family)
• Downtown Canon City has numerous restaurants and cafes

Getting Here

• From Denver: 2 hours via I-25 S to US-50 W
• From Colorado Springs: 45 minutes via US-115 S to US-50 W
• From Pueblo: 40 minutes via US-50 W
• Nearest airport: Colorado Springs Airport (COS): 1 hour drive

Book Your Vacation

Ready to start planning? Browse all adventures or contact us for help building your perfect itinerary.