Self Guided Heritage Tours

Fremont County is where the Arkansas River rushes through the Royal Gorge, out of the Rocky Mountains and onto the Great Plains. The Arkansas River’s course was the route followed by a host of early explorers, trappers and mountain men including Zebulon Pike in 1806 and John C. Fremont in several expeditions during the 1840’s. Notable dinosaur fossil discoveries have been made here since the 1870’s as well as some of the earliest vertebrate fossils known to science. Wide-ranging geologic sites provide examples of numerous eras in earth history and processes that shaped our planet, as well as a rich assortment of minerals.

Established in 1861 as one of the original 17 counties in the Colorado Territory, the state’s earliest orchards, cattle ranches and oil wells were in Fremont County. Often referred to as Colorado’s Banana Belt or Climate Capital due to its relatively mild winter climate and abundant sunshine, early-day mine owners from Leadville and Cripple Creek built homes here at an elevation of 5,400’ and invested in real estate and agricultural enterprises; escaping colder, harsher conditions at mining camps 10,000’ high. Historic downtowns date back to the 1870’s. Residential districts display late 1800’s and early 1900’s architectural styles offering insight into post-Civil War development in the west, as do railroad stations, churches and school buildings.

Beyond nostalgia, orchards and farms in the Penrose area and eastern Fremont County, as well as grass-fed beef from the western part of the county, delight the palettes of today’s visitors with locally produced food and authentic heritage experiences. In late spring and summer, Farmer’s Markets in Cañon City, Florence and Cotopaxi offer fresh produce, bread and homemade specialties for all tastes. Fall brings harvest festivals, apple cider, wine tastings, pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Specialty shops and restaurants make locally produced food items and craft brews year ‘round. Antique shops abound.

Fremont County’s rich history and varied heritage experiences are easily accessible to Front Range residents and visitors. Cañon City and Florence are conveniently located in south-central Colorado just west of the I-25 corridor, 45 minutes southwest of Colorado Springs via highway 115, and just 30 minutes west of Pueblo on US-50; with access from the north provided by CO-9.