Park Center offers mountain views and rural living near Cañon City
Park Center is a rural community located in central Colorado’s high desert, just north of Cañon City. Surrounded by mountains and dotted with sagebrush and ponderosa pines, it offers sweeping views in nearly every direction. Outdoor recreation is plentiful, with several expansive regional and state parks nearby, including Royal Gorge, one of Colorado’s deepest canyons. Park Center is primarily residential, except for a lumber mill and an excavation company, so residents will have to head to Cañon City for groceries, dining, and entertainment. “It’s slower-paced, rural living," says Realtor Tyson Cool of Properties of Colorado, who was born and raised in Cañon City. "There aren’t a whole lot of shops or restaurants, but it’s really close to the city. A lot of younger people move out here for the outdoors."
Spacious lots and single-family homes in a quiet setting
Park Center has a wide range of single-family housing options, from modest ranch-style homes and contemporary houses to farmhouses and manufactured homes. Lot sizes typically range from a half-acre to an acre, offering plenty of privacy and space for large gardens and garages. “As you go north in Park Center, you’ll see parcels that are up to 35 acres, very large properties. Most of the homes out there were built between the 1970s and 1990s,” Cool says. The community has a rural, relaxed character with very little traffic and noise, and expansive views of the surrounding ridgelines. Prices range from $200,000 to $600,000, although there are some large, upscale properties with acreage that can list for $1 million to $1.5 million.
Trails, parks and river walks offer year-round outdoor fun
Residents have easy access to local trails, including the Old Skyline Drive Trail, a mile-long out-and-back trail that climbs to the top of a rocky ridge overlooking Cañon City. Mountain View Park sits just south of the community and offers a skate park, a playground, soccer fields and plenty of green space. For river recreation, locals head to the Arkansas Riverwalk Trail, which winds alongside the river as it passes through Cañon City’s downtown area. The region’s most celebrated park is Royal Gorge, about 15 miles away. Known for its canyon views and famous bridge, it draws thousands of visitors every year. “It’s really popular for hiking, kayaking and whitewater rafting,” Cool says.
Dining and shopping options are just minutes away in Cañon City
While Park Center does not offer dining or shopping options, it's only 4 miles to Cañon City’s historic Main Street. This walkable downtown district is filled with century-old storefronts, local eateries, watering holes and boutique shops. Pizza Madness, one of the city’s most beloved restaurants, has been voted best pizza in the county for 10 years straight. Main Street is also home to World’s End Brewing Company, a busy craft brewery and burger joint. Locals can head down Royal Gorge Boulevard for major grocery chains and big-box stores like Walmart, City Market and Safeway.
Harrison School and Cañon City High serve most students
Students can start their education close to home at Harrison School, which serves kindergarten through eighth grade and receives a C-plus from Niche. The next step is B-minus-rated Cañon City High School, where educators put a strong emphasis on career and post-secondary learning. The school enrolls more than 90% of its students in courses that earn them early college credits. For an alternative, students and families might consider Mount View Core Knowledge Charter School or Canon Exploratory School.
Limited public transit and long drives to major cities
Most residents of Park Center will need a vehicle to get around. Fremont County operates a limited bus service with no fixed route or schedule. It’s about 50 miles to Colorado Springs, the nearest major city, or about an hour-long drive. The nearest major airport is Denver International, about 130 miles away. Those in need of medical care won’t have to travel far — it’s only 2 miles to St. Thomas More Hospital, the main medical center for Cañon City.
