The Royal Gorge is not a summer-only place. Our stays are available to book every day of the year, and a good deal of what surrounds them keeps running when the rafting season ends. Here is how the year breaks down.
April 15 to October 15: rafting season
The river is the star. Royal Gorge Rafting runs whitewater trips on the Arkansas River from April 15 to October 15, and Whitewater Bar & Grill opens its patio from April to October with craft cocktails, local beer, and live music. This is the season for fire rings and riverside evenings at the yurts and Airstreams.
Year-round: what never closes
- Ziplining: Royal Gorge Zipline Tours runs year-round.
- Helicopter tours: flights operate year-round, weather permitting.
- Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: open year-round.
- Rooftop Social: our rooftop restaurant in downtown Cañon City is open year-round.
- Hiking: trails from easy riverside walks to canyon rim hikes, including the Royal Gorge Trail, are free and available year-round.
- Mountain biking: over 100 miles of singletrack in the Arkansas Hills around Cañon City, for beginners through experts.
Where you check in changes with the season
Summer check-in (April through September) is at Royal Gorge Rafting on West US Hwy 50. Winter check-in (October through March) moves to the Cañon City Outpost at 302 Royal Gorge Blvd. If you have any doubt about where to go, contact us before you drive.
Picking a stay for cooler months
Our luxury homes list heating, and The Cabin adds a fireplace. Several of the larger homes have hot tubs, which are a winter activity in their own right. The Phoenix tiny home lists heating too.
The yurts and Airstreams do not list heating among their amenities, and the yurts have shared restrooms a short walk away. If you are considering a glamping stay outside the warm months, contact us first and ask what to expect on the nights you have in mind. Either way, pack warm layers for cool evenings and a flashlight or headlamp.
Booking never closes
Our office and check-in desk are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, but reservations stay open every day. If your arrival falls on one of those days, a team member calls you that day and meets you to check you in.
Browse the luxury homes and glamping stays, or see the things to do guide for more ideas.
