Temple Canyon Park south of Cañon City is a rugged city park on Grape Creek

Southeast of Cañon City, the City owns Temple Canyon Park, a rough and quiet natural area along Grape Creek. It is roughly 600 acres of open canyon country with camp sites, picnic shelters, and vault toilets, and it is open from dawn to dusk. The park is named for a rock alcove called the Temple, a sheltered hollow in the canyon wall.

This is a back-country style park, not a tidy roadside picnic ground. The city reaches it by winding, narrow gravel roads, so plan on a slow drive and a higher-clearance vehicle, especially after rain. Once there, you are in dry canyon terrain with uneven footing, limited water, and real exposure to sun and weather, so bring what you need and tell someone your plan.

Grape Creek runs through the bottom of the canyon and feeds toward the Arkansas River. Like all moving water in this country, it can rise fast during storms or snowmelt, so keep an eye on the sky and do not camp tight against the creek.

Because this is a city park, hours, road access, and any fire restrictions can change with conditions and the season. Confirm what is open and how to get there on the City of Cañon City’s Temple Canyon Park page before you load up.