Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: America's Highest Suspension Bridge

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is an amusement park located in Cañon City, Colorado, centered around the Royal Gorge Bridge, a suspension bridge built in 1929 over the Arkansas River. Standing 956 feet (about 291 meters) above the river with 1,257 wooden planks, the bridge is presented as the highest in the United States and ranks among the 25 highest bridges in the world. The park, open 365 days a year, combines a visit to the bridge with a collection of mechanical rides and guided experiences.

Attractions and Experiences at the Park

The park's offerings include several attractions designed for different adrenaline levels. The most recent is the Via Ferrata, a guided climbing route on the granite walls of the gorge, suitable for families, offering views of the bridge and the depths of the canyon. The Royal Rush Skycoaster, described by the park as the world's scariest skycoaster, launches visitors from a 100-foot tower at speeds of up to 50 mph, with a 1,200-foot arc over the Arkansas River. The Cloudscraper Zip Line crosses the gorge rim to rim and is rated by the Travel Channel as the number one experience on Colorado's bucket list. The park also features clear-floor gondolas, presented as the highest in America, and family attractions such as Howard's Hangout, the Water Clock, the Plaza Theater, and the Visitor's Center.

History and Natural Heritage

The bridge was conceived by Lon Piper, a businessman and bridge builder from San Antonio, Texas, after visiting the gorge in 1928. Construction began on June 5, 1929, and was completed in seven months by a team of about 80 workers. The bridge opened to the public on December 8, 1929. Engineer George E. Cole was the chief engineer and general superintendent of the project, which remained the world's highest suspension bridge for more than seven decades. The park notes that, as of 2022, it remains the highest suspension bridge in the United States. The area also has paleontological and archaeological value: dinosaur fossils such as allosaurus, camptosaurus, stegosaurus, and brontosaurus have been found within three miles of the bridge, and the gorge walls are made of Precambrian granite and gneiss, up to 4 billion years old. The park also documents the presence of Native American peoples, such as the Ute tribe, who wintered in the area, and other Plains tribes.

Practical Visitor Information

The park is open every day, including holidays, with general admission available all day. The bridge opens at 9:00 and mechanical rides begin at 10:00. Ticketing and access to the Visitor's Center open at 9:00, while the gift shop, café, and available attractions open at 10:00. Reservations are not required for admission or attractions. General admission includes the bridge, the gondola, Playland, and the theater. The park warns that attractions may temporarily close due to weather conditions or maintenance, and that their status may change without notice. At the time of scanning, the Royal Rush Skycoaster was closed for routine maintenance and smoking was prohibited throughout the park due to extreme fire danger. The park offers seasonal passes and a discounted Adventure Pass for local residents, and has a Junior Ranger program, dining and lodging services, parking and transportation, and group pricing.

Recognition and Visitors

The park states it has received 26 million visitors throughout its history. The Cloudscraper Zip Line is recognized by the Travel Channel as the best experience on Colorado's bucket list. The bridge is known as "America's Bridge" in reference to the workers who built it and the experience of walking its wooden deck suspended over the river.

Location and Contact

4218 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212 · Phone: 719.275.7507