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Cañon City, Colorado

Looking for the best backpacking in Cañon City? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Cañon City. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Backpacking Spots in and near Cañon City

  • Teller County, Colorado

    Backpack to the Abandoned Skagway Power Plant and Ghost Town

    3.5
    10 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Construction of the Skagway Plant began in 1899 and was complete in 1901. In 1965, 15 days of rain brought floods washing out a lot of the pipeline and other infrastructure. Fixing the power plant didn’t make sense and funds weren’t in place. The land was reverted to the government. The hike b...
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  • Westcliffe, Colorado

    Backpack to Sand Creek Lakes

    5.0
    4 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Start at the Music Pass trail head south of Westcliffe, Colorado off County Road 119. You will need a 4x4 with high clearance to get to the actual trailhead as the last 2.5 miles are rough. Otherwise, park at the Crape Creek TH and walk the 2.5 miles up to Music Pass Trailhead.Once on the trail...
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  • Westcliffe, Colorado

    Hike to Willow Lake, CO

    5.0
    9 mi / 2800 ft gain
    Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, Willow Lake offers a stunning destination to a rigorous hike. The hike is approximately 9 miles out and back with 2800 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and maintained. However, the hike rarely levels off. Be prepared for a steady incline...
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  • Westcliffe, Colorado

    Summit Kit Carson Peak

    12.4 mi / 6323 ft gain
    There are a couple different trailheads that lead to Kit Carson Peak, but the one from Willow Creek Trailhead will give you the opportunity to peak another fourteener, Challenger Point, and let you pass through and/or camp at Willow Lake, which is a beautiful destination by itself. If approaching...
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