The royal gorge bridge and park lies about a twohour drive south of denver, fortyfive minutes west of colorado springs, and ten minutes west of canon city. With a width of 4050 feet at its base, a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of 1,200 feet in places, the 10milelong canyon is a narrow, steep gorge through the granite of fremont peak. Surprising facts about the royal gorge echo canyon rafting. The royal gorge, spanned by a suspension bridge 1,053 feet 321 metres above the arkansas river the highest such bridge in the world, has an incline aerial tramway built 1931. Royal gorge bridge and park soaring eagle zip line grand opening duration. The royal gorge route railroad runs from march through december and is best known for providing the ultimate experience of the royal gorge on a 24mile roundtrip journey, combining history, scenery, service, and delicious food. Royal gorge canyon, colorado, united states britannica. Local name royal gorge bridge location colorado, united states. The history of the royal gorge bridge dates back to 1907 when the federal government donated the royal gorge to the city of canon city, colorado, for use as a municipal park. Royal gorge bridge canon city, colorado, united states 955 feet high 291 meters high 938 foot span 286 meter span 1929 worlds highest bridge 19292001 no other bridge in history has been more associated with being the worlds highest than the royal gorge bridge, located in the u. Then it held the worlds highest suspension bridge until 2003. Tickets can be validated for free next day admission at no upcharge. This facility also has a great gift shop and a restaurant with indooroutdoor seating for 200, complete with large. The bridge deck towers 955 feet above the river floor, making it the second highest in the world, behind.
To get there visitors should follow i25 to co115 south, and then continue on highway 50 through canon city until the sign pointing to the royal gorge on the left side. Welcome to the royal gorge region and canon city, colorado. Canon city colorado welcome to the royal gorge region of. There are so many fun and interesting facts about the royal gorge bridge. The royal gorge is a canyon on the arkansas river near canon city, colorado and is often called the grand canyon of the arkansas. This monumental feat of engineering is over the royal gorge in canon city. Facts you may or may not know about colorados royal gorge. Even the royal gorge fire of 20 couldnt stop the fun and excitement from happening for years to come. Check out top attractions in the royal gorge region online. Fort collins to royal gorge bridge 6 ways to travel via bus.
Over 956 feet above the crashing arkansas river, the royal gorge bridge one of the worlds highest suspension bridges connects visitors from one side of the millionsplusyearsold gorge to the other, where even more. Our vision is to provide a quality experience, combining the spectacular scenery of the royal gorge, the nostalgia of 1950s train travel, with unique dining. Built in 1929, it stretches 1,270 feet across and soars 956 feet above the arkansas. The highest bridge in america was built for an almost unnervingly small amount of money. Mar 26, 20 the worlds highest suspension bridge which spans the arkansas river at a height of 1053 feet. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. This quartermile journey through the clouds is undoubtedly the high point of any colorado vacation. How far is royal gorge bridge from colorado springs. Several phases of the history of the royal gorge and the upper arkansas valley are not fully known, but geologists agree that the gorge has been formed by the incessant grinding of pebbles and sand grains against the river bed as they are carried along by the stream.
I have no idea how this bridge was built, but it has been there since 1929, even surviving a wildfire in 20 with minimal damage. If you are taking a colorado family vacation, a trip to the royal gorge bridge and park should definitely be part of your agenda. Hanging bridge, royal gorge, grand canyon of the arkansas. The royal gorge bridge spans the gorge and is one of the worlds highest suspension bridges. The bridge survived a wild fire in 20 and sustained only minimal damage while 90% of the park was destroyed. Top 15 colorado facts cities, attractions, climate. Even more striking is the superstructure of the bridge, which incorporates 2,100 strands of no. The facilitys deck overhang gives spectacular views of the gorge and the bridge. The canyon begins at the mouth of grape creek about 2 mi 3.
Royal gorge bridge canon city canon city, co parks mapquest. Its still the highest bridge in the us and in the top 20 highest bridges in the world. Directions from colorado springs to royal gorge bridge. Bridge construction started in 1929, but the gorge is millions of years in the making. The royal gorge regions growing trail system are some of the best in colorado. It spans the arkansas river and stands at a height of 1,053 feet. The park has a storied history beginning with the spectacular undertaking of building the royal gorge bridge in 1929, and is the highest suspension bridge in america to date. Stand 956 feet above the arkansas river on the colossal bridge, and marvel at dreamy rocky mountain vistas from the visitor center. Those who wish to cross it can do so on foot, where you can peer over the bridge to see the rafters below. Discover royal gorge bridge in canon city, colorado. Given the need to increase the popularity of the park as a tourist attraction, it needed a bridge to cross the royal gorge and thus unite the two highest points of. Take a scenic route across the bridge, through the park, and back out once again across the bridge.
Its the only place where you can hide the empire state building standing straight up, with an extra three feet on the top for a flagpole. Royal gorge bridge and park canyon in colorado thousand. The royal gorge bridge is an engineering marvel, stretching over a spectacular canyon carved by the arkansas river. Discover the place that brings together the scenic beauty of the grand canyon and the human achievement of the golden gate bridge. The royal gorge region is located just 2 hours south of denver and 45 minutes southwest of colorado springs. From how it began, to all of its impressive intricacies, here are a few tidbits to remember the next time youre exploring this colorado wonder.
The gorge is just a few minutes drive from canon city, and an hour each from colorado springs and pueblo. Take your family on an unforgettable vacation filled with oneofakind, endless adventures you wont find anywhere else. No other bridge in history has been more associated with being the worlds highest than the royal gorge bridge, located in the u. Colorado springs family attraction royal gorge bridge. The shortest road distance between royal gorge bridge to colorado springs is 93 mi. The royal gorge bridge is a suspension bridge, and was the highest one in the world until 2001. Being one of the deepest canyons in colorado, it is also known as the grand canyon of the arkansas. Fly 1,200 feet above the canyon on the cloudscraper zip line, glide across in an aerial. Check map and driving directions from royal gorge bridge to colorado springs helping you find the destination easier. According to the official web page, the walkway is made of 1,292 wooden planks on top of over 1,000 tons of steel that serve as the floor of the bridge. Facts about the arkansas river the arkansas river outfitters.
Royal gorge bridge and park, canon city, colorado youtube. Constructed in 1929, the bridge was the highest suspension bridge in the world for nearly 75 years with a roadway 955 feet 291 mtrs above the. Title hanging bridge, royal gorge, grand canyon of the arkansas, colorado, u. The royal gorge is a canyon of the arkansas river located west of canon city, colorado. Hanging nearly 1,000 feet above the arkansas river, the. Local name royal gorge bridge location colorado, united states the second highest bridge in the world.
Experience one marvel after another at the royal gorge bridge and park, where a wonder of manmade architecture crosses a stunning example of natures raw power. To enhance the parks popularity as a colorado tourist attraction, a bridge was needed in order to cross the royal gorge. To find the driving direction from colorado springs to royal gorge bridge which is 93 by road, click on show directions after entering start and end locations in the calculator control. Rome2rio makes travelling from fort collins to royal gorge bridge easy. While bridge construction was completed in 1929, the gorge itself is millions of years in the making. Royal gorge bridge in colorado, united states sygic travel. As the royal gorge turns 90, now is the time to visit canon city. See the official website to find out more about the parks attractions. Hit these 5 colorado rivers for amazing whitewater.
Pdf on jan 1, 2015, paul c murphey and others published paleontological overview of the royal gorge field office planning area, colorado find, read and. Colorados royal gorge bridge while i was wandering. View interactive pdf flipbook download pdf version. With a width of 4050 feet at its base, a few hundred feet at its top, and a depth of 1,200 feet in places, the 10milelong canyon is a. The worlds highest suspension bridge which spans the arkansas river at a height of 1053 feet. The bridge crosses the gorge 955 feet 291 m above the arkansas river and held the record of highest bridge in the world from 1929 until 2001 when it was surpassed by the. Apr 10, 2012 royal gorge bridge and park soaring eagle zip line grand opening duration. Take in colorado s iconic natural beauty while standing 956 feet above the wild arkansas river. You can just fly from colorado springs to royal gorge bridge. The bridge crosses the gorge 955 feet 291 m above the arkansas river and held the record of highest bridge in the world from. Royal gorge bridge and park canon city 2020 what to. Visit a remarkable colorado landmark on any day that suits you.
The royal gorge route railroad was reestablished in the fall of 1998 and has become a premier destination attraction carrying over 100,000 guests through the royal gorge each year. Visitors guide to the royal gorge region with information on attractions, events, rafting, royal gorge route railroad, royal gorge bridge, lodging, dining and activities. You can also find the flight distance or distance to fly from royal gorge bridge to colorado springs. Highest suspension bridge in colorado royal gorge bridge. Hanging nearly 1,000 feet above the arkansas river, the royal gorge bridge is surrounded by breathtaking views of the rugged rocky mountain wilderness. Royal gorge bridge canon city, colorado atlas obscura. One of our interesting geographical colorado facts regards a record breaking suspension bridge in the state, the royal gorge bridge. The royal gorge bridge spans 1,260 feet and is situated 1,053 above the arkansas river, making it the highest suspension bridge in the united states. Sitting on the very edge of the royal gorge, our visitor center provides a. Soak in the 360degree panoramic view of the royal gorge. Royal gorge route railroad denver colorado vacations.
New river gorge bridge west virginia division of culture and history. Pdf paleontological overview of the royal gorge field office. From its construction in 1929 until 2001, the bridge which allows limited pedestrian and passenger vehicular traffic held the record of highest bridge in the world. The rides are appealing for both children and adults. The bridge and park open daily from 7 am till dusk between 4 pm and 7 pm. When permitted cars, golf carts, and bicycles travel the bridge. Experience the aweinspiring views of americas highest suspension bridge. In november of 1929, the royal gorge bridge was constructed as a onelane toll bridge. Passengers may also choose lunch, dinner, murder mystery and special excursions like oktoberfest and the santa express train. Laugh into the wind at the center of one of the worlds highest suspension bridges. Royal gorge bridge is the highest suspension bridge in the usa.
The royal gorge region is home to the famous royal gorge route railroad. The colorado royal gorge bridge is listed in the register of historic places. A bridge isnt the only way to cross the royal gorge. Download a pdf visitors guide to the royal gorge region, or fill out a form to have one mailed to you. Book your tickets online for royal gorge bridge and park, canon city. Sitting on the very edge of the royal gorge, our visitor center provides a heightened experience for all travelers.
Several phases of the history of the royal gorge and the upper arkansas valley are not fully known, but geologists agree that the gorge has been formed by the incessant grinding of pebbles and sand grains against the. No act of nature or mankind can stop the fun and excitement from happening for years to come. It takes around 75 to reach colorado springs to royal gorge bridge. Start your arkansas river rafting experience in colorado, visit. Visitors guide royal gorge region canon city colorado. The history of the royal gorge bridge dates back to 1907, when the federal government deeded royal gorge to the town of canon city colorado for use as a municipal park. Since its opening in 1929, the royal gorge bridge and amusement park has seen more than 25 million visitors. Passing it is really something, the views are stunning. Next time youre looking for a great day trip, make sure you keep canon city and the royal gorge in mind. The bridge was added to the national register of historic places in 1983 and almost burned up in a.
Take in colorados iconic natural beauty while standing 956 feet above the wild arkansas river. Royal gorge bridge and park the denver post colorado. Fort collins to royal gorge bridge 6 ways to travel via. Start your adventure at one of the highest and most famous suspension bridges in the world.
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