Hike Tunnel Drive

Cañon City, Colorado

Save

View all 5 photos

All 5 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

3.8 miles

Elevation Gain

521 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Korey Taylor

This 3.8 mile hike along the Arkansas River is an excellent way to see some of the beauty Cañon City has to offer.

This 3.8 mile out and back trail is a very easy hike but can have moderate to high foot traffic depending on the season and time of day. I recommend doing this hike early in the morning to not only beat the heat, but to beat the other hikers. What I love about this hike is the chance to see the train still running on the tracks, white water rafters going down the Arkansas River, and the unique tunnels that were carved into the mountain that you walk through. Overall, this is a hike for all skill levels and an excellent way to see some Cañon City beauty!

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Groups

River

Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Drive Skyline Drive

Skyline drive is a one way scenic roadway mainly going north to south. The 3 mile drive takes you about 800 feet above Cañon City. It starts on the west side of 50, and ends in a residential neighborhood southwest of where it begins. There are multiple pull offs on the right and left side of the road that can accompany 3-4 cars each. The first pull off on the left of the road has multiple trai...

Hike Temple Canyon

Take 1st Ave heading south out of Canon City and you'll come to Temple Canyon Road. You'll take 7 miles of dirt road to Temple Canyon Park. It is free to enter and there is a decent campground there where you can camp for free for up to 14 days. The trail begins at Temple Ridge Campground. The trail switchbacks down into the canyon. Once you get down to the creek you continue to the right alone...

Royal Gorge Bridge

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park is located in Canon City which is about an hour outside Colorado Springs. Once you get there, it's a $26 entrance fee per person. The park is dog and family friendly. You can walk across the bridge, take the gondola, or zip line across. Taking the gondola and of course walking is included in the entrance fee but the zipline is extra. If you're going to take the ...

Mountain Bike at Oil Well Flats

The Basics: Picture this: Winter on Colorado's Front Range. It snowed yesterday. You're stir crazy because today it's 60 degrees and sunny outside, but the trails are a muddy mess! Cue Oil Well Flats. Located just an hour outside of Colorado Springs, this trail network rarely sees precipitation, making it the perfect destination throughout Fall, Winter, and Spring. NOTE: If this area is muddy, ...

Shelf Road

Shelf Road, which was once a toll road from Cripple Creek to Canon City, is now a maintained dirt road that most high clearance two wheel drive cars can make. It will take over an hour to travel the 25 miles or so, and it can be completed going from north to south or the opposite. I will explain the route from south to north. From the town of Canon City, follow Highway 9 north. You will go ...

Climb at Shelf Road

Shelf Road is secluded, rural, and has great climbing. There are so many areas to choose from and it has a great diversity of route levels (mostly sport routes). My personal favorite area is "The Gallery" and "The Bank." Everyone is friendly and gives each other a hand.Sand Gulch Campground, right within the climbing area, is also beautiful, especially at night when all the stars come out (grea...