2022 Map of Royal Gorge

About this map

Royal Gorge dominates the landscape where the Arkansas River carves through the central Colorado plateau, creating a dramatic corridor of vertical relief. Along the river's path, the Hydraulic Ditch and Canon Ditch signify the long-standing water management systems essential to the development of the region. On the eastern edge of the survey, Cañon City serves as the primary urban anchor, while the legacy of the Old West remains visible at Buckskin Joe, a frontier-themed attraction and film set. The surrounding high ground is defined by prominent summits such as Fremont Peak and Y M C A Mtn, as well as the dense network of gulches like Marsh Gulch and Sawmill Gulch that drain toward the river. Much of the southern portion of the map is protected within the San Isabel National Forest, featuring the secluded Temple Canyon and a complex system of recreational trails such as the Dark Side Of The Moon Trl and Made In The Shade Trl.