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Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

History and Heritage of the Royal Gorge Colorado Springs Region

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park - Royal Gorge near Colorado Springs

The Royal Gorge (also known as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas) is a canyon on the Arkansas River near Cañon City, Colorado. With a width of 50 feet at its base, a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of 1,200 feet in places, the 10-mile-long canyon is a narrow, steep gorge through the granite of Fremont Peak.

Nearby Cañon City was founded in 1860 to exploit possible mineral deposits in the area. Discovery of silver and lead near Leadville in 1877 prompted a race to build rail access to the area. In the 1890s, the Royal Gorge Colorado Springs region was used as a passenger route for transcontinental rail travel. As many as four trains per day went through the gorge, though in time, the establishment of alternate routes through the mountains made the Royal Gorge fall from favor for transcontinental use, and passenger train service on the main line was discontinued in 1967. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad, a leisure train, now follows the route through the gorge.

In 1929, Cañon City authorized the building of the Royal Gorge Bridge, which at 1,053 feet above the river, is one of the highest suspension bridges over water in the world. The bridge forms the heart of Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, a theme park owned and run by the city. The Royal Gorge Park now includes the bridge, aerial tram, incline railway, Royal Rush Skycoaster, Burro Rides, Carousel, Silver Rock Railroad, a cliff walk, mountain man encampment, petting zoo and wildlife park. There is more than enough fun to keep your family entertained for an entire day at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

In the summer months, whitewater rafting is also a very popular activity in the Royal Gorge. Tourists travel from around the world to tackle the Class IV rapids of the Arkansas River and enjoy the scenery of the gorge. Named rapids in the Royal Gorge include Sunshine Falls, Sledgehammer, Wallslammer and Boateater.

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Hours

November 1 - February 24: 10AM - 4PM

February 25 - March 16: 10AM - 5PM

March 17 - April 1 Weekdays: 10AM - 6PM, Weekends: 10AM - 7PM

April 2 - 27 Weekdays: 10AM - 5:30PM, Weekends: 10AM - 6:30PM

April 28 - June 8 Weekdays: 10AM - 6PM, Weekends: 10AM - 7PM

June 9 - August 12 Weekdays: 10AM - 7PM, Weekends: 9:30AM - 7:30PM

August 13 - September 3 Weekdays: 10AM - 6PM, Weekends: 10AM - 7PM

September 4 - 30 Weekdays: 10AM - 5PM, Weekends: 10AM - 6PM

October 1 - 31: Weekdays 10AM - 4PM, Weekends: 10AM - 5PM

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Admission (valid thru 4/27/12)

Adult: $18.75