We spent most of our time in the Canon City area which was only about a 20 minute drive west from where we were staying.The city's nickname, "the Climate Capital of Colorado” is derived from the combination of unique geography and 5,300-foot (1,600 m) elevation protecting the city from harsh weather conditions. The average daily high temperature in January is 49 degrees & the average minimum temperature in January is 20 °F (−7 °C). During July, overnight lows are 59 °F (15 °C) on average which makes sleeping very comfortable. Having a semi arid climate also makes hot summer days very tolerable because there’s no humidity.
The city is also known for it’s prisons….yes prisons. There are 11 of them which is odd but I guess the isolated terrain helps. They say the county is safe, in half a century, only five inmates successfully escaped, the last in 1976. Between 2000 and 2012, all 50 who broke free were caught.
There are so many great hikes close to town. One of the first hikes we did was the Tunnel drive tail which is right in town, which after a short incline thru some cool tunnels, it runs flat for 2 miles overlooking the Arkansas River below. Not very challenging but some unique scenery. Tunnel drive trail pics.
Canon City has also done an amazing job at designing their river walk. Beautiful wide, trail along the Arkansas River with a great urban park for people to enjoy the river. Lots of spots for people to get down to it to swim and fish. Not commercialized at all. Canon City River walk pics.
The historic street in town was actually fairly interesting. We satisfied our pizza craving one afternoon at Pizza Madness located in the heart of it. Highly recommend going there if you’re ever in town, they have amazing pizza, very reasonably priced too! After getting stuffed we walked around town and founds some interesting characters along the way. Take a look at the pics!