Fremont County Heritage Tours

These self-guided heritage tours in Fremont County bring the Royal Gorge Region’s diverse history to life. Printed Guides are available at area museums, chambers of commerce, and visitor destinations. The guides may also be downloaded at www.fremontheritage.com.

Download FREE Heritage Tours Guides

• Downtown Cañon City: Dating back to the 1860s, the Downtown Historic District is compact and walkable. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it includes 280 acres and 80 buildings. Allow about three hours to stroll down Main Street, take in the history of 36 buildings, and visit the many shops and restaurants.
• Downtown Florence: The recently designated Downtown Florence Historic District includes about ten blocks along Main and Front Streets and 52 buildings. The walkable tour describes 21 buildings and takes about two hours. Enjoy the many antique shops and wonderful restaurants now occupying this charming town, whose booming 1920s economy was built on oil wells, coal mines, and ore processing.
• Skyline Drive: The entrance to this 2.8-mile scenic drive is located two miles west of Cañon City on US-50 and begins with an archway built in 1932 with stones from many states. A dinosaur track and turnouts provide dramatic views along the one-way drive. This enjoyable hike begins at the foot of the drive, where interpretive signs are located near the Floral Street Trailhead.
• Western Fremont County: This 50-mile scenic drive along the Arkansas River on US-50 between Cañon City and Salida explores area history and early economic activity with 37 stops of interest.
• Historic Howard: Near the county’s western border, Howard (established in 1871) was an important railroad shipping point. This 18-stop tour includes the town square and other historical sites.
• Cemeteries of Fremont County: This 74-page guide includes nearly 20 cemeteries that reflect area history.
• Coal Camps of Fremont County: This 86-page guide provides the history of the towns and coal camps that grew to support the Cañon City Coal Field, one of Colorado’s earliest.
• Windshield Heritage Tours of Fremont County: Use this guide to discover over 30 hours of scenic drives, complete with historical and geological detail.
• Rocks & Fossils of Fremont County: Use this guide to discover the many geological features that make Fremont County unique.
• South Canon Trails Geology Hike: This guide aims to recount the development of the coal mines and mining over an approximately 50-square-mile area.

Royal Gorge Region Things to Do

After you’ve explored all these fascinating historical tours, consider stopping at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park for some family fun adventure. Or, sign up for a scenic train ride along the Royal Gorge Route and enjoy the spectacular scenery from within the Royal Gorge. The Royal Gorge Region is full of outdoor adventure. Here are some more ideas: whitewater rafting, ATV or Jeep tours, ziplining, horseback rides, mountain biking, hiking, camping, and more.

by Kathleen Fitzsimmons