School is out. Summer has begun! Does that mean that the learning has to stop? Absolutely not! Even better, this summer you can learn something while you’re having fun. That is spoken, of course, by a parent, not a kid. But honestly, you AND your kids will love Colorado Jeep Tours. And for those who are homeschooled the tour is a true learning field trip/class. Colorado Jeep Tours is based in Canon City just about an hour west of Colorado Springs and an easy drive from Denver as well. Canon City may best be known for Royal Gorge (the train is popular) and the prisons but that is certainly not ALL the town is about.
Last summer, Mile High Mamas had a blast in the Royal Gorge region. We climbed the Via Ferrata (a protected climbing route) at Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, white-water rafted with Arkansas River tours and stayed in the coolest cliff-side lodge overlooking the gorge. This time, we did a deep dive into history and area explorations with Colorado Jeep Tours Adventures.
Our Colorado Jeep Tours Adventure
As we climbed on the raised bench in the back of the Jeep that was called “Goldie,” we were excited to have the windows open and a spectacular sunny day and the anticipation of tooling around town and trails in such a cool vehicle. 
Our tour started with a drive to the end of town and a bit of a history tour. We were introduced to the human pieces of history including the old prison (this was one of the things Colorado needed to become a state) and the cemetery. We drove a bit further for the geologic history when our guide, Steve pointed out the different rocks, mountains, and talked about dinosaurs/fossils as well as the foliage and trees and how they made a difference in the history of the people that settled in the area.
Steve was so knowledgeable about the area in and around Canon City – he was a true teacher. It didn’t matter if we peppered him with questions – he was ready for them all.
The vistas were awe-inspiring – it’s no wonder that America The Beautiful (the poem) was written in Colorado! Who doesn’t get a little thrill of being “special” as the only car in a certain place (I’ve only felt this one other time as I was on a golf cart at a festival like Taste of Colorado). Colorado Jeep Tours is the only company whose vehicles are allowed to cross the Royal Gorge Bridge – positioned almost 1,000 feet above the canyon, America’s highest bridge. Then we ascended just a bit higher to Freemont Peak to see awesome sweeping canyon views – plus we really got to go over some rocky (and bouncy) terrain.
For the last part of our tour (although you also get Royal Gorge tickets so you could go back there if you wish), we ascended a road built above town by prison labor with really great views and up close (almost touch-it close) dinosaur footprints. At the bottom of the hill, Steve told us a story of the great archway that has a rock from every state (when the arch was built).
From start to finish, we learned so much on our trip, saw great views, and had FUN doing it. Every kid who is studying their Colorado History in fourth grade and every adult will have a great time actually seeing history!
Colorado Jeep Tours Information
Colorado Jeep Tours offers full- and half-day tours. For the half-day tours, you can choose between the Red Canyon or the Royal Gorge tour. Each of these tours is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours either in the morning or afternoon start times. You could also choose to do a full-day Royal Gorge tour which is approximately 7 hours and includes lunch and is a combination of both the Royal Gorge and the Red Canyon tours.
If you can’t get there until fall, plan to do the Gold Belt Tour going through the mining towns of Victor and Cripple Creek and driving thru railroad tunnels. They can host groups or accommodate individuals (including handicapped seating). Prices range from $89/child and $109/adult to $189/child and $229/adult depending on which tour you choose. To book your trip – visit ColoradoJeepTours.com.
Thanks for hosting, Colorado Jeep Tours!
Author: Gretchen
Gretchen loves to be outdoors! She is addicted to coupons and finding the best deals or entering sweepstakes (one day she will win something really great!)
