Driving Instructions and Tips

From the south:

Enter Colorado on Interstate 25. Go through Pueblo to the northern side, and exit US Highway 50 west (follow the signs to Canon City). It is 35 miles from Pueblo to Canon City, all of it a 4-lane highway with a 65 mph speed limit. The field will be on the right approximately 6 miles before Canon City (at the first stop light).

From the East:

If travelling Interstate 70, exit at Limon on west US Highway 24. It is 70 miles from Limon to Colorado Springs; all of it is a 2-lane road with a moderate amount of traffic. As you come into Colorado Springs, exit at Academy Blvd (south). Note: Highway 24 goes under Academy Blvd, so if you go through an underpass, you've gone too far. Once on Academy Blvd (south), follow it past Interstate 25, until you get to Colorado Highway 115. Follow the signs to Canon City.

From the Colorado Springs Airport:

As you come out of the Airport, you'll be heading west (toward the mountains). Continue going straight west on the two-lane road until you come to Academy Blvd. Turn left. Once on Academy Blvd (south), follow it past Interstate 25, until you get to Colorado Highway 115. Follow the signs to Canon City.

From the North East:

If on Interstate 80, follow the signs to Denver. Pick up Interstate 25 South to Colorado Springs.

From the West:

As you come into Colorado on Interstate 70, you have the option of picking up US highway 50 in Grand Junction. This can be followed all the way into Canon City. But it is 2-lane the entire way, and the traffic is heavy and often slow.

The quicker way is to continue on Interstate 70, all the way to Frisco. Pick up Colorado Highway 9 and follow the signs to Breckenridge. Continue on Colorado Highway 9. As you come down the backside of Hoosier Pass, you'll go through two small towns: Alma and Fairplay. There are police speed traps in both of these towns, so watch out! Follow Col. Highway 9 through Hartsel. The road takes a little jog as it meets up with US Highway 24 in Hartsel, so just watch the signs for Canon City. (Bathroom break in Hartsel). Continue on Colorado Highway 9 for another 60 miles until you come to the "T" at US Highway 50 (near the Royal Gorge). While Highway 9 is only two lanes, it is fast and has very light traffic. Take US Highway 50 east another 10 miles to Canon City. Go through Canon City. The Canon Inn motel is on the east end of town. If you continue out of Canon City another 6 miles, you'll see the launch site at the traffic light near the airport.

General Driving Tips:

If you anticipate taking scenic trips into the mountains, it may be wise to have your radiator cleaned and filled before your vacation. The steep inclines in the mountains have been known to overheat many autos. Also, have your car's breaks checked too.

Before entering Colorado, squeeze the excess air out of shampoo bottles, and other liquid containers that have flip tops. The reduced air pressure in Colorado has also been known to cause bottles containing liquids to suddenly pop open. This often leaves a gooey mess inside suitcases... Also, watch out for those CyA glue bottles when you open them in Colorado; you don't want to be splattered in your eye.