Site Details

descriptions and directions

Cottonwood Marsh photo by Peter Burke

Canon City Riverwalk - Fremont County
Aliases:
Ownership: None Listed
Description: The Canon City Riverwalk currently extends close to 3 miles, much of it adjacent to the Arkansas River right through the middle of Canon City. It will be expanded another mile further west by around 2007. Bicycles and equestrian use is allowed, but it is strictly non-motorized. It can be accessed at the following four locations: 9th Street and Sells Avenue, the current western portal where parking is available; Raynolds Ave just south of the River, where several parking lots are available; Ash Street hill access, with parking on the side of the street for several cars; and McKenzie Ave access, the eastern portal with a parking lot.

There are four trail segments. Between McKenzie Ave and Ash Street Hill is the least traveled trail. Much of this segment runs adjacent to the river, and except for a fairly steep but less than 100-foot section near Ash Street, it is level. The segment from Ash Street Hill to Raynolds Ave, though near the river, also runs next to the street and is therefore noisy, but it does run adjacent to a slough where Sora and Virginia Rail have been found. Between Raynolds Ave and 9th Street the River Trail runs adjacent to the river most of its length and is also adjacent to the wetland/pond area where Green Herons can be seen. This is also the most popular segment with the most use. The segment from Raynolds to 9th Street Bluff runs along the base of the bluff, but is located adjacent to seasonal wetlands on both sides near Raynolds Ave. There are also some dirt trails of varying lengths between the Raynolds Ave and 9th Street area in a section referred to as John Griffin Park.

Birding is good all year round; and the weather is Canon City is the most moderate in Colorado (as verified by the Weather Service), which facilitates birding in all seasons between Ash Street and McKenzie Ave. Plumbeous Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Lazuli Bunting, Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler and Bullock's Oriole regularly breed in many sections of the Riverwalk. Gray Catbird has also bred here in recent years, as has Rose-breasted Grosbeak since 2004. Cooper's Hawks have bred both on the east and west ends of the Riverwalk with recent nesting almost directly above the Bluff Trail. The Riverwalk has been quite reliable for Green Herons from May to Sept with breeding probable. During spring migration Black and Eastern Phoebes have frequently been seen along the Ash Street to McKenzie Ave segment. More commonly seen birds include Great Blue Herons year-round, waterfowl including Green, Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal mostly in winter, Yellow-rumped Warblers both spring and fall, White-crowned Sparrows in winter, Osprey in summer and Bald Eagles in winter.

Habitat: Lowland Riparian, Urban/Suburban
Elevation:
Directions: All the access points mentioned above are most easily reached from US-50 in Canon City. To reach the western access point to the riverwalk, take US-50 into the center of town and turn south on 9th St. Cross over the river and park on the left by Sells Ave. To reach the Raynolds Ave access points, turn right onto Raynolds Ave on the east side of town and follow it south, across the river, to various parking lots on the left side of the road. The Ash hill access can be reached by taking Raynolds Ave off of US-50 to Main St. (the first road you come to), and taking a left (east) onto Main St. Follow Main St. to your next right (Rhodes Ave) and head south and then east as the road curves, and take a right onto Ash St. Follow Ash St. south to where it overlooks the river to the parking lot. The eastern access can be reached by heading south from US-50 on McKenzie Ave, about three-quarters of a mile east of town. Follow McKenzie to the parking lot, on the right.
Restrictions/Hazards:
Other Wildlife:
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Latest Canon City Riverwalk Sightings from eBird

 


CBRC Records from Canon City Riverwalk

SpeciesAccession No.Date(s)
Eurasian Collared-Dove2000-07312/17/2000
Least Bittern2011-105 8/5/2011
Williamson's Sapsucker2003-089 
Black Phoebe34-95-6210/14/1995 - 12/17/1995
Vermilion Flycatcher2008-028 4/13/2008
Yellow-throated Vireo2010-020 5/3/2010
Eastern Towhee1999-15612/19/1999
Worm-eating Warbler2011-156 11/5/2011 - 11/19/2011
Golden-winged Warbler2015-060 05/21/2015
Prothonotary Warbler52-90-619/23/1990
Mourning Warbler2011-057 5/21/2011
Pine Warbler2011-019 2/17/2011
Painted Redstart2007-026 4/25/2007
Hepatic Tanager55-89-526/17/1989
Hepatic Tanager55-90-676/24/1990
Scarlet Tanager55-90-699/23/1990