Top Scenic, Family-friendly Attraction in Colorado: Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

I’ve jumped out of an airplane, been pummeled by 5 Gs of force in a bobsled whizzing down a track at 80 miles an hour and squeezed through narrow passages in claustrophobia-inducing caves. But I just could not bring myself to free-fall and swing 1,300 feet above a canyon via the world’s highest Skycoaster at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park last weekend.

However, my fearless 10-year-old and her daredevil father waited in line for nearly two hours to do just that:

We had fun spotting ant-sized kayakers and rafters in the Arkansas River, more than 1,000 feet below the bridge!

This crazy ride at Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, Colorado (about an hour’s drive southwest of Colorado Springs), was hugely busy last Sunday. There’s no minimum age — you just need to be 46 inches tall; the cost is $20 to $25 per person, depending if you have one, two or three “flyers.”

First, you’re strapped into a harness, and secured to the wires. Then you’re pulled off the ground and hoisted back away from the canyon and up 100 feet above the ride platform, and on the count of the attendant’s “1-2-3″ you have to pull your own rip-cord to launch yourselves into a free-fall, until you’re jerked into a 50-mph soar across the Royal Gorge. After a half-dozen “swings” back and forth, you’re helped to a stop, when, all smiles, you go watch yourselves on video.

My daughter and husband both said the three-minute adrenaline rush was well worth the wait!

The suspension bridge was built in 1929 and it's just 18 feet wide.

Thankfully, for non-thrill-seekers, there’s loads to do at this popular sightseeing attraction, as well. First, just walking across the Royal Gorge Bridge is an event in itself, after all this is America’s highest suspension bridge, and the views of the gorge — and the kayakers and the rafters waaaaaay below — are incredible. (You can also drive your car across the bridge, take a taxi or rent a golf cart.)

Another option for crossing the gorge: America’s longest single-span aerial tram, which hovers 1,178 feet above the Arkansas River below. Oh, and then there’s America’s steepest incline railway, which descends at 3 mph down into the canyon. (Yes, there’s a lot of record-setting going on at this top Colorado attraction.) Each of these modes of transport are included in the admission price to the park.

There’s also an included petting zoo, a wildlife park with Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, bison and elk, mule rides and an antique replica carousel. The Plaza Theatre shows a nifty video of the colorful history of the construction of the bridge, the incline railway and the aerial tram. We heard lots of live music as we strolled around both sides of the bridge, and of course, there’s the requisite theme-park food: pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream and funnel cakes. And gift shops.

At the top of the canyon, the Incline Railway isn't too steep; it gets steeper as you descend!

If you can’t get enough of the gorge in an afternoon visit, you can also go whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River that courses through it, ride the rails on the Royal Gorge Route Railroad or take an flightseeing helicopter ride above and into the gorge. (Talk about thrill-seeking: we couldn’t believe how the pilots swerved and dove and maneuvered through the narrow canyon.)

I’m really glad we stopped in Canon City to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park after a weekend of activity in Colorado Springs and our stay at The Broadmoor (where I want the amiable staff to adopt me so I’d never have to leave; I am madly in love with this luxury hotel, but that’s another post). For road-trippers through my state, or any families vacationing in the Pikes Peaks Region, I highly recommend you spend some time at this ultra-scenic, activity-filled spot.

Thanks Royal Gorge Bridge & Park for hosting us on a fun-filled afternoon!