Skyline Drive in Cañon City, Colorado
Back in 1905, a crew of 60 prison inmates carved this wild road right into the top of a razor-sharp ridge.
The work was so tough that inmates got 10 days knocked off their sentence for each month they spent hanging off cliffs to build the road.
At first, only horses and buggies made the trip, with the Tally Ho Tour Company charging 25 cents to take you along this daring path.
Now you can drive your car on this narrow strip high above Cañon City, and here are some things to know before you do.
Sharp Drop-Offs Can Give You Nightmares
On Skyline Drive, you’ll witness the sharp drop-offs that extend almost 500 feet on either side without a single guardrail for protection.
The entirely paved asphalt surface lacks any safety fences along the edges. Local drivers often describe the experience as daredevilish.
Elevation Changes Create Natural Roller Coaster
Despite measuring only 2.6 miles long, navigating the undulating route requires careful attention at the posted 15 mph speed limit.
Rising approximately 800 feet above the surrounding terrain creates dramatic elevation shifts in remarkably short distances.
The steep grades challenge vehicle transmissions. Locals say it feels like being “on top of the world” thanks to the steep elevation gain.
Standard Passenger Cars Can Barely Navigate Width
Large vehicles like motorhomes should avoid this narrow road with tight turns, even slightly oversized cars can make drivers uneasy.
At its narrowest sections, the single-lane width measures approximately 12 feet with absolutely no shoulder area for error.
Challenging Hairpin Turns Limit Driver Visibility
Starting the descent involves navigating a particularly tricky hairpin turn before winding down the eastern hogback side.
Most people need between 12-15 minutes cause each hairpin forces drivers around blind corners with cliff edges mere inches from tires.
Built originally in 1905 for horse-drawn buggies and pedestrians, the road wasn’t opened to automobiles until 1907, explaining the extremely tight turns.
Pullouts Fill Quickly During Popular Visiting Hours
Though several pullouts dot the route, they quickly reach capacity during busy periods, which makes faster drivers grow impatient.
This results in uncomfortable tailgating on a road where mistakes could prove catastrophic. Most pullouts resemble small “rest area-like places” accommodating just a few vehicles simultaneously.
During summer months, these limited stopping points create bottlenecks and traffic backups as visitors compete for the chance to safely stop and take photos.
Craggy Royal Gorge Views Distract From Driving
The panoramic view spans Florence, Fremont Peak, and the Arkansas River Valley, but drivers are warned not to take their eyes off the road.
The spectacular scenery includes the craggy Royal Gorge mouth to the west, Cañon City to the east, and mountain ranges in every direction.
Ancient Dinosaur Tracks Compete For Driver Attention
Dinosaur tracks embedded in the cliffs, discovered in 1999 by a student, add to the area’s unique geology but also tempt drivers to take their eyes off the road.
Experts identified 50 Cretaceous Ankylosaur dinosaur tracks showing evidence of dinosaurs walking side-by-side through ancient mud.
The roadside also reveals layers of distinctive red Fountain Formation rock that continually pull focus from the driving task.
Microclimate Creates Sudden Weather Shifts
Road closures during bad weather underscore the drive’s vulnerability.
Exposed ridges leave vehicles at the mercy of crosswinds that can push them dangerously close to unprotected edges.
Access restrictions to daylight hours further limit driving opportunities. Winter storms can render the route completely impassable.
Then there’s morning fog which reduces visibility to near zero, creating particularly hazardous driving situations without warning.
Dead Zones Block Emergency Communications
Cellular reception disappears along certain portions of the drive as the razorback ridge creates signal interference that blocks cellular activity.
Emergency response is often delayed due to the road’s narrow width and remote location, making quick access difficult in case of accidents.
Any experienced driver will advise starting with a full tank and packing emergency supplies due to the route’s isolation.
One-Way Traffic Forces Commitment To Complete Journey
Once drivers enter Skyline Drive from U.S. 50 on the west side, there’s absolutely no turning back on this single-lane, one-way system.
You’ll continue eastward until reaching Floral Avenue. Here the road connects to 5th Street at its sweet end but don’t change midway (as locals advise).
The narrow width makes reversing impossible.
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