From Colorado Springs to Parkdale Recreation Area

Drive south on Highway 115 to Highway 50. Turn right (west) on Highway 50 through Canon City. On the west side of Canon City Highway 50 goes up a long, steep hill. Go over the hill, staying on Highway 50 (don't turn on the road to the Royal Gorge Bridge). At the bottom of the hill, Highway 50 crosses the Arkansas River. (This is the Parkdale Bridge and it is about ½ mile west of highway mile post 268). About ¼ mile past the bridge, turn right (north) into the Parkdale Recreation Area. STOP at the Self-Service Parks Pass Station and buy a Daily Parks Pass for $6.00 per car. Fill out the Parks Pass Information, tear the Parks Pass from the attached envelope, insert your payment in the envelope and seal, place the envelope in the deposit slot, and display the yellow Daily Parks Pass on the inside, lower right side of your windshield. Park on the north (far) side of the parking lot and our van or bus will pick you up. (We will reimburse you for the cost of the parks pass. Restrooms are at the bottom of the hill. The path to the restrooms is on the west side of the parking lot. Please return to the parking lot to meet our van or bus.)

Driving Time: 1½ hour to 2 hours