Royal Gorge Bridge

Royal Gorge Bridge & Park Admission in Canon City Colorado - Regular Season -- A one-of-a-kind place for your family and friends to make memories that will last a lifetime! If you haven't been here in awhile, you won't believe the totally unique fun and new adventures we have waiting for you with more than 360 acres and 21 rides, shows and attractions for you to explore.

Just wait 'til you experience the awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Gorge from the world's highest Suspension Bridge that hangs 1,053 feet high and spans a quarter mile across the canyon! And there are more eye-popping thrills with the world's longest single-span Aerial Tram and more head-spinning chills with the steepest Incline Railway on the planet. Or if you're really brave, dive into Colorado's biggest spine-tingling adrenaline rush ever - our new Royal Rush Skycoaster.

We've also got plenty of fun for children with our antique Carousel featuring a fantastic menagerie of amazing animals to ride. They'll also love the Silver Rock Railway, Petting Zoo with burro rides and our new Wapiti Western Wildlife Park with rare white American Bison, Big Horn Sheep and Rocky Mountain Elk. And we've even expanded our exciting Mountain Man Encampment and added a fun Mule-Team Wagon Ride.

Everyone will enjoy our Plaza Theatre with Historical Display, great gift shops and restaurants. And if you love the outdoors, you can camp, hike and bike the breathtaking scenic trails or plan a group activity at our Juniper Junction picnic area and Bighorn Mountaintop Lodge - perfect for overnight and extended stays.

Come visit Colorado's own world wonder soon! There's so much to see and do here at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park; it's a great day trip while on your family vacation to the Pikes Peak Region.

Royal Gorge Bridge

Often compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Empire State Building in New York City, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Cañon City, Colorado is both daring in its design and remarkable in its achievement. It's truly an engineering feat. The world's highest Suspension Bridge is over a quarter of a mile long and hangs 1,053 feet above the roaring Arkansas River below. Though it doesn't stand alone, the suspension bridge is the center jewel in a crown of engineering achievements all within the 360 acre theme park that some call "the real" Colorado.

Engineering Facts

- Construction on the world's highest Suspension Bridge began June 5, 1929 and completed Nov. 1929
- Length: 1,260 feet (384 meters)
- Width: 18 feet (5 meters)
- Main Span: 880 feet (268 meters)
- Towers: 150 feet high (46 meters)
- 2,100 strands of No.9 galvanized wire
- Weight of cables: 300 tons
- 1,000 tons of steel in the floor of Bridge
- Walkway: made of 1,292 planks of deck, about 250 are replaced annually
- Original cost to build: $350,000 - cost today about $20-million
- Bridge will support in excess of two-million pounds
- Listed on the National Historic Register

Aerial Tram Car Rides at Royal Gorge

The only sound you'll hear as the doors close is your heart pounding with excitement as you glide across the majestic gorge in the cabin of the world's longest single-span Aerial Tram. The view of the bridge and surrounding Sangre De Cristo Mountains are breathtaking and you won't believe how far below the Arkansas River actually is. With the blue sky above and the granite walls below it's like walking a tight rope with no net.

Engineering Facts

- Built in 1968 at a cost of $350,000
- Length: 2,200 feet (671 meters)
- Height above Arkansas River: 1,178 feet (359 meters)
- Power: direct current motor
- Auxiliary gasoline emergency standby engine
- Maximum speed: 11.4 mph
- Capacity of cabin: 35 passengers
- Track cables weigh over seven tons each
- More than two miles of cables utilized in tramway system
- Safety: wind-warning gauges working at all times; tram will not operate during severe weather or gusty winds

Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge

Hold your breath and hang on tight as you descend in the Incline Railway car in a natural gulch, as the towering granite walls lead you 1,550 feet down to the roaring Arkansas River. This wonder is the world's steepest Incline Railway and was designed by the same engineer as the bridge. It's just one of the world class attractions and engineering feats you'll marvel over at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, near Cañon City, Colorado. When you look up from here, the bridge appears as a delicate ribbon across the gorge. Enjoy the cool spray of the roaring river while rafters brave the class 5 rapids. Standing next to the Arkansas River, one can only imagine what it must have been like with guns blazing and dynamite exploding as early railroad officials hired Bat Masterson to protect their crew and materials in the Royal Gorge War.

Engineering Facts

- Construction began in 1930 and completed in 1931
- Length of incline: 1,550 feet (473 meters)
- 100% grade, 45-degree angle
- Powered by Otis Elevator with a completely automatic SCR drive system
- Standby emergency diesel engine
- Maximum speed: 11.4 mph
- Rate of descent: 3 mph
- Weight of cars: 4,500 lbs.
- Travel time: 5.5 minutes each way
- Same engineering and construction crews that built the Bridge
- Safety: nineteen manually operated stopping devices, also equipped with automatic governor to stop each car
- Listed on the National Historic Register

Royal Gorge Silver Rock Railway

All aboard!
A scale-model of "Old 424", our vintage train is an exact replica of the original 1893 locomotive. It's a great way to start your day at the theme park and the open-air cars allow you to take in all the natural attractions. The ride is one mile long (1.610 km) and is a favorite ride of children at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Parents can enjoy a relaxing ride while taking in the natural beauty of the Pikes Peak Region.

Wapiti Western Wildlife Park

Nestled within the larger park on the South rim is the all new Wapiti Western Wildlife Park®. This is real Colorado Wildlife, and it's not just history. It's alive today with rare white American Bison, families of Rocky Mountain Elk, and the rarely seen Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep all in one Colorado theme park. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park has specially designed enclosures that allow you to walk between the Colorado animals for optimal viewing of these magnificent creatures. The animals thrive in this natural habitat and with our successful breeding program, you'll never know what new baby animals you may see camouflaged against the background of wildflowers and fragrant evergreens. Enjoy nature within the theme park on your Colorado family vacation or day trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park near Cañon City, Colorado.

SHOWS:

A great addition to this natural attraction and an enhancement to your family vacation is the daily entertainment provided in the three venues around the theme park.

Plaza Theater

A fascinating twelve-minute multi-media presentation tells the story of this natural attraction and of the brave men who envisioned and built the world's highest Suspension Bridge and steepest Incline Railway, both listed on the National Historic Register. Begin your journey of discovery with the tale of the historic Royal Gorge War. Colorado history comes alive during your day trip to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park with original artifacts and photos in our Historical Display at the theme park.

- Seats 210 and shows every half hour
- 12 projectors, 1 laser disc, 5 screens
- 12-minute multi-media presentation

Park Hours (2008/2009):

October 6, 2008 to February 27, 2009
10:00am to 4:00pm

February 28 to April 24, 2009
10:00am to 5:00pm

March 28 to April 19, 2009 - weekends
10:00am to 6:00pm

April 25 to June 12, 2009
10:00am to 6:00pm M-F
10:00am to 7:00pm Sa-Su

June 13 to August 16, 2009
10:00am to 7:00pm daily

June 13 to August 16, 2009 - weekends and holidays
9:30am to 7:30pm

August 17 to September 7, 2009
Weekdays 10:00am to 6:00pm
Weekends and Labor Day 10:00am to 7:00pm

September 8 to October 4, 2009
10:00am to 5:00pm M-F
10:00am to 6:00pm Sa-Su

October 5 to October 31, 2009
10:00am to 4:00pm daily

October 10 to October 25 - weekends
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bridge-only Hours (daily, all year)
7:00am to 8:00am, and from 1/2 hour before park closing time until dusk

This tour does not include hotel pick-up. Rates include admission to all available park rides, shows & attractions with the exception of the skycoaster. Please reserve online, or call us toll-free at 888-307-6198.