BLM Completes Improvements on Shelf Road Campground
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Cañon City, Colo. – The Bureau of Land Management-Royal Gorge Field Office recently completed improvements to The Bank campground north of Canon City. The Bank is part of the Shelf Road Recreation Area, one of Colorado’s most notable sport climbing locations.
The recent improvements added 20 campsites, an additional group campsite, a camp host site, and two new vault toilets to the existing campground. The first phase of the project, completed in April, tripled the size of the day-use parking area and added a day-use area vault toilet.
“This project was undertaken in response to the dramatic increase in visitor use the Shelf Road area has experienced,” said Royal Gorge Field Manager Keith Berger. “The improved campground and trailhead are now better equipped to serve the users of the area.”
The Bank campground has become a popular rock climbing destination in recent years. The increased use had outgrown the facilities at the site. Over 50,000 climbers, hikers, and recreationists visited the site in 2018.
The improvements will increase access to the Shelf Road area and accommodate more overnight stays, resulting in enhanced visitor experiences in the area. The site improvements come in time for the fall and winter climbing season, which tends to be the busiest time of year for the Shelf Road area.
The facility improvements totaled over $425,000. Those funds were comprised of deferred maintenance funds, user fee revenue, and a partner contribution from the Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance.
Recreation activities on BLM lands in the state of Colorado contributed $618 million to local economies in 2018.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.