Cañon City is one of Colorado’s great adventure springboards, without question. For one thing, some of the most acclaimed whitewater rafting in the country goes down just outside of town along the Arkansas River, roaring and tumbling its way out of the Southern Rocky Mountains en route to the Great Plains. Throw in all the rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, ziplining, and horseback riding, and it’s no exaggeration to say this town—one of the chief hubs of the Royal Gorge Region—puts really world-class outdoor recreation and scenery at a visitor’s fingertips.
Another part of that stellar suite of outdoor activities? Angling. There’s top-tier fishing near Cañon City, and a cabin or luxury glamping tent here at Royal Gorge Cabins is definitely the way to go for taking advantage of it!
Fly Fishing Tours in Colorado: The Perfect Base Camp at Royal Gorge Cabins Outside Cañon City
Accommodations with us at Royal Gorge Cabins give you ready access to some of the very best angling in the Centennial State—bar none!
The Arkansas River, after all, which flows right through Cañon City immediately downstream of the spectacular Royal Gorge, part of a magnificent free-running section from its Rocky Mountain headwaters to the dam in Pueblo, is the longest Gold Medal-rated trout fishery in all of Colorado. That’s a designation conferred by Colorado Parks & Wildlife on a waterway that yields “a trout standing stock of at least 60 pounds per acre and produces an average of at least 12 ‘quality trout’ (14+ inches) per acre,” as Trout Unlimited’s website on the classification explains.
Specifically, a little more than 100 miles of the Arkansas River falls under the Gold Medal status, including the reach immediately upstream of the Royal Gorge (the so-called “Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River”). So, Cañon City is one heck of a springboard for trout-fishing, to say the least!
What fish species can you expect to land in and around Cañon City? Nearby reaches of the Arkansas River are most heralded for their healthy and productive stocks of rainbow trout—introduced from their native range in Pacific Northwest drainages way back in the 1880s and flourishing in many Colorado streams—and brown trout, released into Centennial State drainages in the 1890s and similarly well-established. These are premier freshwater gamefish, and staying with us, you’ve got ace opportunities to reel or net them in.
When it comes to places to cast a line near your Royal Gorge Cabins accommodations, well, you’ve got plenty of options! But some especially promising spots include Grape Creek below DeWeese Reservoir in Temple Canyon Park (just outside the city of Cañon City) as well as the Grape Creek State Trust Land, both of which offer top-notch trout fishing. And there are plenty of good access points for the Arkansas’s Gold Medal reach between nearby Parkdale, CO, and the Lake Fork confluence upriver.
If you feel like a farther-afield angling day trip on other waters, we can certainly recommend Spinney Mountain Reservoir, set between two Gold Medal reaches and host to rainbow and brown trout as well as northern pike, and, close by, Eleven Mile Reservoir, where rainbows and browns overlap with “cutbow” trout (rainbow/cutthroat hybrids), pike, kokanee, carp, and other catches. Other good choices for family-friendly fishing locations within shouting distance of our cabin rentals in Cañon City include Badger Creek near Salida, CO, the Gold Medal-designated sections of the South Platte River, and Four-Mile Creek Canyon.
What Times of Year Are Best for Fishing Near Cañon City?
Fishing opportunities abound most of the year when you’re calling Cañon City, Colorado, your base camp. The lower flows of early spring (pre-peak snowmelt) and fall are often most amenable, though even under the higher, meltwater-charged discharge of late spring through midsummer, you can certainly have great success.
Are There Any Local Fishing Regulations I Should Be Aware Of?
You’ll need a Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing permit to fish on your Royal Gorge Cabins getaway, with loads of options available: from one-day to season-long permits. Learn more about permits as well as Colorado fishing regulations.
Book a Stay at Royal Gorge Cabins for Some of the Best Spincast & Fly Fishing Tours in Colorado
Whether you’re looking for a fish-heavy weekend getaway or a luxurious week or two of angling at the doorstep of the magnificent Southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado, look no further than Royal Gorge Cabins for premier accommodations. Fishing near Cañon City with a home base in one of our decked-out cabins or glamping tents doesn’t only give you the opportunity to land some spectacular trout; it also often yields sightings of charismatic local wildlife (from bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer to ospreys and bald eagles), and immerses you in some glorious canyon, foothill, and mountain valley vistas emblematic of the American West.
Cañon City is a place filled with beautiful scenery, exciting activities, and so much more to discover. If you’re dreaming of a memorable fishing trip, why not make your stay cozy and enjoyable at Royal Gorge Cabins? Contact our friendly cabin camping experts, who are here to help you with all the details.
