Hiking, Prison Museum, and Western Fremont County


History Lovers' Tour - Day 2

Fremont County Heritage Commission
DAY TWO
7:00 am - 7:45 am

BREAKFAST At the Hotel, Motel, B&B or wherever you parked your RV.  Take time to go outside and stretch in the beautiful weather we are famous for.

8:15 am - 10:00 am Stroll Historic Downtown Cañon City without all the traffic! There are 81 buildings on the National Historic landmark list in just these few blocks.  We have churches around almost every corner, and they are mostly built from local stone from quarries in the county.
8:00 am - 10:00 am

Drive to 1st Street, go South, past Greenwood Cemetery, and turn on Temple Canyon Road (which is the back road to the Royal Gorge).  This road is gravel, and not marked very well, but will reward you with views, and give a true look at the flora and fauna of the area.  You can stop at the back entrance to the Royal Gorge, or go on around to Parkdale, which is on Highway 50.  Follow this East back to Cañon City, but on the way, turn off at Skyline Drive and take a few minutes and your digital camera to record this spectacular view.

10:30 am

Back to the Museum (Wed. through Sat.).  612 Royal Gorge Boulevard.  Here is some true Dinosaur fossils that you will want to look at before heading out to the “Digs”.

11:30 pm

Lunch first?  Pick up sandwich stuff?  Get lots of water, and wear your heavy hiking shoes, we are off to Garden Park, Dinosaur Quarries and Red Canyon Park.  This country can keep you occupied just driving around in the various places, and looking at formations that will astound.

1:30 pm - 2:45 pm

Back to town, and go to 1st Street – below the guard tower on Old Max Prison.  Turn Right, and the Prison Museum is just up the street.   While here, we encourage you to look at the structure of the Prison wall, the Deputy Warden’s house on the corner, and go through the prison museum (costs money), but a worthwhile visit.  Now – down 1st Street, over to 4th Street Viaduct

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Take a loop tour through Silvercliff, Westcliffe and Western Fremont County.  The Oak Creek Grade Road is gravel, but well maintained.  Take 4th Street South and jog at Prospect Heights.  You might stop and take a peek at the old Prospect heights jail, built with the same stones you saw on the walls of Old Max.  This Loop Drive will take you in to the most beautiful scenery in the world.  The road enters the Wet Mountain Valley East of Silver Cliff, and when you continue through town and in to Westcliffe, you will be looking at the Sangre de Cristo Range.  WOW.  Take State Highway 69 (paved, thank goodness), to Texas Creek, and you are back in Fremont County.  Follow the Arkansas River to Parkdale, and over the 8 mile Park area.   Now – stop at one of the great places to eat on top of the hill!

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm or so

Back to Cañon City for a leisurely DINNER – we have first class restaurants here, namely DiRitos, Merlino’s Belvedere, La Petit Chablis, Shadow Hills Golf Course and others.  You can find them all in the phone book, and this is a small place – easy to get around finding anything.

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

There are things to do most every night in the Royal Gorge Region

  • Monday - Cowboy Church in Veterans Park
  • Tuesday - Entertainment in the Park, Cañon City
  • Wednesday - Entertainment in the Park, Florence
  • Thursday - Take a drive up Skyline Drive and look at the city lights
  • First Friday – (Art Walk) Start at the Fremont Center for the Arts and walk up and down Main Street and enjoy the various art venues.
  • Saturday - Lots of local bands in local bars and saloons.  

Again there is a lot going on most nights.  Pick up a Daily Record, or an events calendar on your way through any restaurant. But, I can see you are tired. Enjoy your evening in one of the many hotels, B and B's, vacation rentals or RV parks in the area.

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