Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
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Overview
The Royal Gorge Bridge is a tourist attraction in the United States near Cañon City, Colorado within Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, a 360-acre (150 ha) amusement park located along the edge of the Royal Gorge around both ends of the 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 1929 until 2001 when it was surpassed by the Liuguanghe Bridge in China. The Royal Gorge Bridge maintained the title of the world's highest suspension bridge until the Beipan River Guanxing Highway Bridge was completed in 2003, also in China.
Practical Info
Every day9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-5 hours
Best TimeMay through September offers the most stable and agreeable canyon weather. Arriving right at opening from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM is optimal to avoid severe midday canyon winds and intense sun exposure on the suspension bridge, allowing for uncrowded, steady photography over the Arkansas River.
Getting ThereFrom Colorado Springs, drive south on I-25 S to Pueblo, then exit onto US-50 W heading west into Cañon City. Continue on US-50 W for another 8 miles, follow the large official signs to turn left onto Park Route 3A, and drive 4 miles straight to the grand park entrance and parking lots.
Travel Tips
- Suspended 956 feet above the river, the bridge is subject to a severe canyon wind-tunnel effect. Daily between 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM, sudden wind gusts exceeding 50 mph frequently trigger automated shutdowns of the gondolas and zip lines; lock in your entry between 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM for calm conditions.
- While regular parking is vast and complimentary, visitors piloting extended RVs or fifth-wheel setups must strictly follow directional boards to the designated 'Oversized Vehicle' gravel channels. Occupying multiple standard slots near the primary gates triggers immediate security dispatch and towing notices.
- Because the span clears critical water paths and high-consequence kinetic infrastructure, the entire park boundary is classified as an absolute Drone No-Fly Zone. Unauthorized remote aircraft operation results in immediate hardware confiscation and a minimum federal administrative penalty of $1,000.
Reviews
Positive
- Standing on America's highest suspension bridge looking down a 1,000-foot gorge is breathtaking and incredibly thrilling.
- The mountain coaster, zipline, and aerial gondola crossing the gorge are extremely fun for adrenaline seekers.
- The park has great accessibility with wide, flat bridge planks, making it safe for strollers and wheelchairs to cross.
- The visitor center offers great historical photo exhibits detailing the 1929 engineering marvel, which is highly educational.
Heads up
- The base admission is pricey, and major attractions like the zipline and skycoaster require expensive extra tickets.
- It has turned into a heavily commercialized theme park, losing its raw natural serenity, which may disappoint nature purists.
- There is zero shade in the canyon during summer; the mid-day sun is brutal and the bridge gets extremely windy.
- The gondola queues can exceed an hour during peak seasons, and staff could be more efficient at managing the crowds.