Whitewater Bar & Grill outdoor deck with mountain views
Photo: Whitewater Bar & Grill

Whitewater Bar & Grill

Canon City's legendary #1 restaurant for 20+ years — 100% Colorado-raised beef, award-winning slow-smoked BBQ, legendary margaritas, live music every weekend, sand volleyball, axe throwing, fire pits, and the best outdoor patio in the Royal Gorge region. 1,300+ five-star reviews. Voted Best Bar & Grill 10 years running.

Whitewater Bar & Grill isn't just a restaurant — it's the heartbeat of the Royal Gorge adventure scene. Sitting right at the gateway to Royal Gorge on Highway 50, this legendary bar & grill has been the place where rafters, zipliners, and visitors end their day for over two decades. With 1,300+ five-star reviews across platforms and a 10-year streak as Canon City's Best Bar & Grill, this is the dining experience that defines the region. The Food: Colorado-Raised, Slow-Smoked, Built Different Every burger starts with a half-pound patty of 100% all-natural, non-GMO Colorado beef from Elizabeth, Colorado. The BBQ brisket is smoked in-house daily — ask anyone who's tried the BBQ Brisket Sandwich on a toasted hoagie and they'll tell you it's the best in the state. The Triple Decker burger stacks thick bacon, American cheese, pulled pork, and coleslaw into something approaching legend status. Wings come in BBQ, hot, sweet chili sriracha, or naked. And everything is served in portions that match the appetite you build on the river. Legendary Margaritas & Full Bar The margaritas here have their own reputation. Locals drive from Pueblo and Colorado Springs just for them. The full bar pours Colorado craft beers on tap, cocktails, and ice-cold drinks that taste even better with a mountain-view backdrop. Daily specials include Margarita Mondays, Corona Bucket Tuesdays, Karaoke Wednesdays, Locals Thursdays, FAC Fridays, Live Music Saturdays, and $8 Bloody Sundays. The Outdoor Patio: A Destination in Itself The back patio is unlike anything in Southern Colorado. Strung with lights and surrounded by mountain views, it's part restaurant, part recreation area, part concert venue. Sand volleyball courts stay packed in summer. Cornhole boards line the edges. Fire pits glow after sunset. There's even a professional axe-throwing setup that's become one of the most popular activities for groups. Kids have their own playground, so families can relax while the little ones play. Live Music Every Weekend From Memorial Day through October, live bands play every Friday and Saturday night on the outdoor stage. Local and regional acts bring rock, blues, country, and everything in between. Combined with the food, the drinks, and the setting, it's the best free concert experience in the region. Part of the Royal Gorge Adventure Hub Whitewater Bar & Grill shares a campus with Royal Gorge Rafting and Royal Gorge Zipline Tours — all part of the Epic Adventures family. After your whitewater rafting trip through the Royal Gorge or your zipline flight above the canyon, this is where the stories get told. Photo kiosks display slideshows of the day's adventures, so you might catch yourself mid-rapid while waiting for your burger. It's the perfect place to celebrate, refuel, and plan tomorrow's adventure. WWBG is seasonal, operating March through October when adventure season is in full swing. Order online for pickup, or just show up — walk-ins are always welcome. Located at 45045 W US Hwy 50, just 8 miles west of downtown Canon City at the Royal Gorge adventure campus.

Amenities

100% Colorado-Raised BeefAward-Winning Slow-Smoked BBQLegendary Margaritas & Full BarHalf-Pound All-Natural Burger PattiesExpansive Mountain-View PatioSand Volleyball CourtsCornhole & Outdoor GamesAxe ThrowingFire Pits & String LightsKids PlaygroundLive Music Every Friday & SaturdayKaraoke NightsPhoto Kiosks from the Day's Rafting TripsAdjacent to Royal Gorge Rafting & Zipline ToursOnline Ordering & DeliveryFamily-Friendly with Full Kids MenuPrivate Event HostingFree Parking

Gallery

Whitewater Bar & Grill outdoor dining and patio atmosphere
Whitewater Bar & Grill patio with string lights and mountain backdrop
Live music on stage at Whitewater Bar & Grill
Axe throwing activity at Whitewater Bar & Grill
Outdoor games area at Whitewater Bar & Grill

Sources

Last updated: February 16, 2026

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