Lincoln Park offers a rural setting in the Rockies
Lincoln Park is an unincorporated community surrounded by peaceful views of the Rocky Mountains and the Arkansas River Valley. It sits just south of Cañon City amid high desert terrain. “It’s where everyone wants to be,” says Realtor Tyson Cool of Properties of Colorado, who was born and raised in Cañon City. “You’re really close to Downtown Cañon City, but you still get that rural feel, and some farms and wineries.” Locals enjoy midcentury homes, farm properties and easy access to outdoor recreation, including hiking at Royal Gorge, whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River and several community parks.
Semirural homes with mountain views
Homes in Lincoln Park typically sit on modestly sized lots, surrounded by mountains and rolling hills. “Most of the housing is from the 1950s, with some newer homes mixed in. You get everything from manufactured homes to homes that are close to a million dollars. It’s a pretty big range,” Cool says. Bungalows, cottages and ranch-style homes are a common sight there, many of which have been renovated and revamped with modern amenities. The setting is semirural, with quiet streets and sweeping views of the countryside all around. Prices range from $300,000 to $800,000, depending on size, age and acreage.
Limited local dining with more options in downtown Cañon City
Shopping and dining are limited in Lincoln Park. Locals can head to Big Burger World, a highly praised local burger joint, or swing by Homer’s Gumbo Pot for Cajun cuisine. There’s also Bernie’s Place for cold beer, billiards and darts. It’s only two miles to Cañon City’s historic downtown district, where Western-style storefronts house lively restaurants, bars and breweries. “It gets bustling on weekends and evenings,” Cool says. Locals can head to Royal Gorge Boulevard for major grocers and chains like Walmart and Safeway.
Spring and summer festivals bring music, parades and rafting
Cañon City has several annual festivals that draw thousands of visitors. Among the most prominent is the Cañon City Music & Blossom Festival, which takes place over four days in the springtime. Live music, a rodeo and a two-hour parade on Main Street are just a few of the festival's events. There’s also the Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival, which celebrates the beginning of the whitewater rafting season. It’s heavy on sports, with mountain bike rides, trail running and whitewater competitions all weekend long.
Rouse Park and the Riverwalk Trail are outdoor favorites
Lincoln Park offers several community parks, including Cañon City Rouse Park, one of the most visited parks in the city’s metro area. Locals come from all over for its ball fields, pickleball courts and playground. Lincoln Park also has an access point to the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail, a 7-mile trail that winds along the riverbank. It cuts through wetlands and forests, offering sweeping views and plenty of wildlife watching. Cañon City’s most celebrated park is Royal Gorge, about 15 miles away. It draws thousands of visitors every year for its canyon views and its famous bridge that crosses the gorge at one of its deepest points. There’s also Temple Canyon Park, another rugged hiking area, about 6 miles south.
Local schools range from C-plus to B-minus on Niche
Students start at McKinley Elementary School, rated C-plus by Niche. The next steps are Cañon City Middle School and Cañon City High School, both of which earn B-minus ratings. The high school offers plenty of career and college readiness programs and enrolls more than 90% of students in at least one class that earns college credit.
Colorado Springs and Denver are within driving distance
Lincoln Park is a car-centric community, although Fremont County operates a limited bus service for those in need of public transportation. Colorado Springs is about 50 miles away, and Denver is about 115 miles away. The nearest major airport is Denver International, about 130 miles away. “It’s about an hour to Colorado Springs and two hours to Denver. It’s pretty central without feeling like a big city,” Cool says. Those in need of medical care can head to St. Thomas More Hospital, about 3 miles away.
