If you ask us, striking a balance between adventure and relaxation is one of the most important elements to pulling off a successful family vacation in Colorado. It can be mighty tempting to fill your days to the max with rafting, climbing, mountain biking, off-roading, and other classic Rocky Mountain high-thrills fun, but there’s a lot to be said for reserving plenty of time for, well, downtime.
Royal Gorge Cabins makes the pitch-perfect base camp for this sort of well-balanced adventure and relaxation vacation, given the rich amenities and swoon-worthy location our lodgings serve up and the easy access to all the superlative outdoor recreation and sightseeing that define the Royal Gorge Region.
Let’s explore how you can potentially go about hitting that perfect recipe of action and R&R here in this magnificent corner of Colorado!
Adventuring During Your Colorado Family Cabin Stay
Our location just outside of the hamlet of Cañon City and right on the doorstep of the Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River—a scenic and geologic highlight of the Centennial State, no question—puts an absolute wealth of adventuring possibilities at your fingertips. First and foremost, some of the finest whitewater rafting on the continent awaits you here courtesy of the spectacular flows of the “Ark” and our partners at Echo Canyon River Expeditions. The Class III Bighorn Sheep Canyon is a beloved crowd-pleaser of a family-friendly river run, while the Royal Gorge itself gives you an adrenaline-pounding ride through Class IV+ rapids amid the sheer, soaring walls of the mighty chasm.
And there’s much more to do off the river as well: from ziplining, mountain biking, or off-road Jeep touring to tackling the momentous Via Ferrata climb at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park—an unforgettable experience, to put it mildly.
Working in Relaxation on Family Cabin Getaways
Everybody needs a little break from high thrills, though, right? Mix up the epic outdoor adventures that help define the Royal Gorge Region with some “chillaxing” time: a chance to kick back, unwind, and bliss out amid this area’s breathtaking natural splendor. You won’t find a better place to do just that than your lodgings at Royal Gorge Cabins, where a lazy dinner and fireside hangout against the tableau of a Sangre de Cristo Range sunset—and maybe some awe-inspiring stargazing on the heels of that—puts the cherry on top of a fun-filled day rafting, climbing, or hiking. It’s unplugged family travel at its best!
And there are plenty of lower-octane activities that also nicely complement those more intense adventures on a family trip to the Royal Gorge Region: from sightseeing along the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, strolling the streets of Cañon City, and savoring a wine tasting at The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey to sampling the Arkansas River’s top-notch trout fishing.
In fact, there’s even a rafting option among the Echo Canyon River Expeditions tours that lands more on the relaxing side of the spectrum than anything else: the Scenic Float, which proceeds along a friendly five-mile section of the Arkansas River with a few low-key waves and riffles here and there. Children as young as four years old can take this trip, which is beginner-friendly as can be.
Tips for Striking the Right Balance of Adventure and Downtime on Cabin Vacation Trips
Try not to overschedule yourself on a Royal Gorge Region getaway, whatever the specific itineraries you might be following: Leaving some open-ended hours (or even days) during your trip gives you flexibility for much-needed R&R (not to mention the opportunity for spontaneity). Part of the joy of a vacation, after all, is the option—usually all too rare in everyone’s daily lives—to do nothing much at all!
Given how beautifully situated, well-appointed, and super-comfortable our cabins and glamping tents are, you’re going to want to spend plenty of time here. It’s not a bad idea to sort of front-load your daily adventures so that you’ve got a luxurious late afternoon/evening—including that ravishing sunset show—back at your private lodgings.
Especially if you’ve got a range of ages in your family—or simply a major range of preferences, interests, or energy levels—you might consider splitting the group up at points on your vacation: some going full-tilt adventuring, others enjoying mellower pursuits (including recuperative shuteye!). Given the incredible range of outdoor activities within five or 10 minutes of Royal Gorge Cabins, our accommodations make this simple to pull off.
Are there any budget-friendly ways to mix excitement and downtime on an outdoor family trip? You bet! Reserve accommodations and tours well in advance or outside of peak season, look for deals and discounts, and consider partner bookings to package different activities together.
Discover Adventure and Relaxation in One Perfect Stay at Royal Gorge Cabins
Make planning simple and your stay unforgettable. Reach out to our dedicated team about creating a custom mix of rest and adventure for your next family trip.
