Royal Gorge KOA – Things to do in Colorado Springs CO

As the second largest city in the state of Colorado, Colorado Springs is home to more than 416,000 residents, as well as the United States Air Force Academy. It’s also a great travel destination, both in the city itself and the surrounding natural environment and location. Located in the plains and next to the southern part of the Rockies, the location offers easy access to multiple outdoor wilderness locations – a key attraction for Colorado Springs.

Want to enjoy a bit more of Colorado state without the downtown feel of a traditional hotel? Then consider camping. The KOA Holiday campground at Royal Gorge is a great way to enjoy cabin or tent camping in one of the most scenic areas of the Southern Rockies that also happens to be in close proximity to major sites and things to do around Colorado Springs.

If you feel the urge to summit one of Colorado’s tallest peaks, try heading up Pikes Peak, which tops out at 14,115 feet above sea level. Pikes Peak can be reached by vehicle, biking, hiking, or cog rail, depending how much time you have on a visit and what you’re willing to commit to. It is one of the country’s top natural destinations to visit, and will feature a new Summit Center, expected to open early this summer. 

About 50 miles to the south, the Royal Gorge is a popular attraction, measuring over 1,200 feet deep and located near Cañon City. The gorge itself is a huge canyon in Fremont Peak, which stretches 10 miles long. The majesty of this natural wonder can be viewed from atop the Royal Gorge Bridge – one of the highest suspension bridges in the world. Royal Gorge Park includes a Dinosaur Experience, zip line attraction that gives a full 360 view of the gorge and the Arkansas River 1,000 feet below, and other rides and attractions. It’s also home of world-class white water rafting and the White Water Festival (in July), featuring oddly creative boat designs racing down the river. 

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is a great way to see the Rockies up close while not having to worry about driving. The train provides a full-service compliment of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and allows folks to witness the breathtaking scenery while relaxing on a train chugging through the mountainous landscape.

In addition to all these activities, Colorado Jeep Tours provide a great way to see the area off the beaten path. With tours starting out of Cañon City, folks are able to drive off-road through the areas of the Gold Mining District, the Royal Gorge, and Red Canyon. It’s a great way to get up close with the environment versus looking at it from a distance, and folks also get a great chance to really understand the geology, history, and even the paleontology of the area. For the rock buff in your family, this tour adventure is a must. With our tour center just 45 minutes from Colorado Springs itself, we offer a unique experience of outdoor Colorado that covers more ground, topics and experience in the state than most other locations. To find out more, click here to see the details.