Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

We spent a fantastic day at the Royal Gorge Bridge Park, which is just west of Canon City, Colorado.  The RV campground we are in is a mere 1/2 mile to the turn off for the park.   When we checked in at Fort Gorge RV Park the manager had a coupon for discount on admission.  Admission charged was $19.95 each with the coupon price.

The Royal Gorge Bridge was built in 1929 and rises almost 1,100 feet above the Arkansas River below.  It is reported to be the world's highest suspension bridge.  After admission you have a choice to either drive your car or walk across the bridge to enjoy a panoramic view that is breathtaking.

You can see red granite cliffs that seem to drop right down onto the river.  The bridge towers are 150 feet high and the length of the bridge is 1,270 feet (384 meters).  We decided to walk across the bridge which was interesting. Cars can slowly cross the bridge while the pedestrians are on it and you can feel the heavy wooden planks shaking with the movement of the car.  The wind was blowing hard and you needed to hang onto your hat.  It was cold up there, too.  Looking below you can see the rapids of the Arkansas River and a river rafting group float by.    (click on photos for a larger view)

Once we got to the other side of the bridge we climbed a steep path to an observation deck.  From here we could see the best side view of this amazing structure.  You can see a car driving across.  For an additonal fee you can buy a trip across the gorge on the aerial tram.  This is the world's longest single-span aerial tram at 2,200 feet.  I took a photo of the cables stretching across the gorge. We passed on the tram....too scary.  The winds weren't strong enough to keep it from operating today. 

We did take the Incline Railway trip down to the bottom of the Royal Gorge.  This was included with price of admission.  The trip takes you down 1,550 feet at a 100% grade.  You are at a 45-degree angle.  You stand inside these little cage like cars for the 5 minute trip down.  Once at the bottom you could look up and see the suspension bridge high above you.  We waited to see some more river rafters come by.   We got to see a guy in his kayak making his way through the rapids, too.

Up we go back to the top of the gorge using the Incline Railway....

This was an awesome day and we are so happy to have had the opportunity to see the Royal Gorge.  Tomorrow we have a couple of things planned over in Canon City and then Tuesday morning we leave here to drive to Gunnison.

NOTE:  parts of this park are handicapped accessible and some are not


I hope everyone has enjoyed the weekend.
Until next time....so long for now!