Introducing the newest shopping experience in the Royal Gorge Region, Trackside Mercantile.
Featuring everything you need for thoughtful gifts, personal indulgences, souvenirs, and more, Trackside Mercantile is your new go-to shopping destination.
Located inside the beautifully redesigned Santa Fe Depot in the heart of Cañon City, this fresh retail experience brings together a curated mix of gifts, home goods, tasty treats, apparel, and keepsakes. Whether you’re a local or visiting the Royal Gorge Region, you’ll find something worth taking home.
Don’t miss the year-round Santa Express Train Christmas shop, packed with festive finds that keep the holiday spirit alive no matter the season.
Information
401 Water Street, Canon City, CO 81212
The Story Behind Trackside Mercantile
When the owners set out to resurrect the Royal Gorge Route Railroad through Colorado’s grandest canyon, the vision was always bigger than a train ride. It was about creating an experience, one that begins the moment guests arrive.
Built in 1913, the historic Santa Fe Depot was designed in the Mediterranean Revival style and served as a vital hub for freight through the early 1980s. After closing in 1983, the depot sat quiet for years, with future plans uncertain.
That changed on July 3, 1998, when the rail line from Cañon City to Parkdale was brought back to life. With the rebirth of the railroad, the depot entered a new chapter, welcoming guests once again as the gateway to one of Colorado’s most unforgettable journeys.
In Spring 2025, that experience expanded with the introduction of Trackside Mercantile, the newest addition to the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Thoughtfully designed within the restored depot, it brings a fresh retail experience to life, featuring curated gifts, local goods, apparel, and keepsakes that reflect the spirit of the region.
Today, the depot welcomes more than 150,000 passengers each year. With Trackside Mercantile now part of that journey, it’s no longer just where your adventure begins, it’s part of the experience itself.