Free Things to Do in Canon City: Skyline Drive, Tunnel Drive, and More (2026)

You searched free things to do in Canon City. Here is the honest 2026 list.

The Quick Answer

Canon City has more free attractions than most Colorado tourism towns. The top 6:

1. Skyline Drive (free 2.6-mile one-way scenic drive)
2. Tunnel Drive Trail (free 2-mile out-and-back hike with a real tunnel)
3. Temple Canyon Park (free hiking, rock formations)
4. Red Canyon Park (free, photogenic red rock formations)
5. Garden Park dinosaur fossils (free Cretaceous fossil area)
6. Arkansas Riverwalk (free downtown river path)

You can build a full Canon City day for the cost of gas, lunch, and a coffee.

Skyline Drive

Free 2.6-mile one-way scenic road on a hogback ridge. Open year-round (weather permitting). The road climbs to 6,200 ft and offers 360-degree views in every direction.

What to see:

• The dinosaur tracks viewpoint at the midpoint - real Cretaceous tracks visible from the pull-off
• 360-degree canyon views from the ridge
• The west-end overlook with distant Royal Gorge canyon views
• Sunrise or sunset lighting for photographers

Time required: 1 hour with stops

Tunnel Drive Trail

Free 2-mile out-and-back hike on a former railroad grade. Easy difficulty. Kid-friendly. The trail features a tunnel cut through the canyon wall (about 50 feet long).

What to see:

• The tunnel itself (real railroad-era tunnel through solid rock)
• Arkansas River views from the trail
• Wildlife (bighorn sheep occasionally on the cliffs above)

Time required: 1.5 hours including photo stops

Temple Canyon Park

Free Fremont County park about 15 minutes from downtown. Sandstone rock formations, picnic areas, hiking trails of varying lengths.

What to see:

• Sandstone temple-like formations (the park's namesake)
• Easy 1-mile loop trails
• Picnic areas with shade

Time required: 2-3 hours

Red Canyon Park

Free Fremont County park about 20 minutes from downtown. Red rock spires, hiking, photography.

What to see:

• Red sandstone spires (especially photogenic in morning or late afternoon light)
• Easy walking trails among the formations
• Less crowded than Garden of the Gods, similar geology

Time required: 2-3 hours

Garden Park Dinosaur Fossil Area

Free open BLM fossil area where Stegosaurus and Allosaurus fossils were discovered in the 1870s. Self-guided fossil walking trail.

What to see:

• Real fossil-bearing rock layers (do not collect fossils - federal land)
• Interpretive signs explaining the dinosaur history
• Quiet, uncrowded fossil hunting (looking only)

Time required: 1-2 hours

Arkansas Riverwalk

Free paved walking and biking trail along the Arkansas River through downtown Canon City. About 7 miles total length.

What to see:

• Downtown Canon City from the riverside perspective
• Wildlife (geese, fish, occasional eagles in winter)
• Connections to downtown restaurants and shops

Time required: 1 hour for the central downtown section

Free Royal Gorge Bridge Views

Several Hwy 50 pull-offs offer free distant views of the Royal Gorge Bridge from the canyon rim. You will not get the up-close experience inside the park, but you will see the bridge.

Best free Royal Gorge Bridge viewpoints:

• Hwy 50 pull-offs west of Canon City
• Royal Gorge Bridge Road approaching the park (the road itself is free)
• The canyon rim near the south side of the park (free public BLM land)

Free Walking Tour: Historic Downtown Canon City

Self-guided walk through Colorado's longest historic Main Street. About 1-2 hours covering Royal Gorge Blvd, Main Street, and the surrounding side streets.

What to see:

• Late 1800s commercial buildings
• Restaurants like Whitewater Rooftop Social, Big Burger World, Boudreaux's BBQ, Pizza Madness
• Local shops and antique stores
• Public art and historical markers

Build Your Free Day

A full free Canon City day:

• 7:00 AM: Sunrise on Skyline Drive (free)
• 8:30 AM: Coffee at Happy Endings Caboose Cafe ($6-$10)
• 9:30 AM: Tunnel Drive Trail (free)
• 11:30 AM: Garden Park dinosaur fossils (free)
• 1:00 PM: Lunch at Big Burger World ($10-$14)
• 2:30 PM: Temple Canyon Park (free)
• 5:00 PM: Arkansas Riverwalk and downtown stroll (free)
• 6:30 PM: Dinner at Big Burger World again or Pizza Madness ($12-$18)

Total: about $30-$45 per person plus gas.

Free Splurges Worth Considering

If you have $50-$100 budget for one paid splurge:

• Bighorn Sheep Canyon family raft ($90-$120 per person) - cheapest paid Royal Gorge experience
• Royal Gorge Route Railroad scenic ride ($60-$90 per person) - 2-hour scenic train
• Royal Gorge Bridge admission ($30-$40 advance) - the iconic photo

FAQ

Is Skyline Drive really free?

Yes. Skyline Drive is a public road open year-round (weather permitting). No gate, no fee, no admission.

Are Temple Canyon and Red Canyon Parks free?

Yes. Both are Fremont County parks with free access. No admission fees, no parking fees.

Can I see the Royal Gorge Bridge for free?

Yes, distantly. Several Hwy 50 pull-offs offer free distant views of the bridge. You cannot walk on the bridge without paid admission.

Is the Arkansas Riverwalk safe to walk alone?

Yes. The downtown section is well-trafficked and well-maintained. Standard walking precautions apply.

Can I hike to find dinosaur fossils?

Yes at Garden Park (free fossil walking trail). Do not collect fossils - federal land prohibits collection. Look but do not take.

Are these free attractions kid-friendly?

Most yes. Skyline Drive, Tunnel Drive Trail, the Arkansas Riverwalk, and Garden Park are all kid-friendly. Temple Canyon and Red Canyon Parks have hiking trails of varying lengths suitable for kids 6 plus.

What is the best free attraction in Canon City?

Skyline Drive at sunrise. Free, scenic, photographic, and 1 hour of your time.

The Bottom Line

Canon City is the rare adventure-tourism town where you can fill a day on free attractions alone. Skyline Drive, Tunnel Drive Trail, Temple Canyon, Red Canyon, Garden Park, and the Arkansas Riverwalk together cover scenic driving, hiking, fossil walking, and downtown exploration without admission. Add a Big Burger World walk-up window meal and you have a full Canon City day under $40 per person.

All things to do | Budget itineraries | Dining guide | Royal Gorge budget guide (sister site)

Visit Canon City, visitcanoncity.net. Updated April 2026.