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The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers the best experience of the Royal Gorge on a breathtaking, 2-hour scenic and historic train ride on the most famous portion of the former Denver & Rio Grande Western train line. The 1950's era train departs the Santa Fe Depot in Canon City. The railroad tracks were laid over 120 years ago, however, passenger service was cut off in 1967. In 1999, passenger service returned, and now provides visitors from around the world 24-miles of unforgettable scenery. The journey through the Royal Gorge lasts 2-hours, covering a distance of 24-miles.

William Jackson Palmer Car (Famous Railroad person and founder of Colorado Springs)

All Aboard!

Victoria expieriencing her first real train ride!

Rafters on the Arkansas River along side the Train

Silver! In the late 1870s miners descended on the upper Arkansas valley of Colorado in search of carbonate ores rich in lead and silver. The feverish mining activity in what would become the Leadville district attracted the attention of the Denver & Rio Grande and the Santa Fe railroads, each already having tracks in the Arkansas valley. The Santa Fe was at Pueblo, and the D&RG near Canon City some 35 miles west. Leadville was over 100 miles away. For two railroads to occupy a river valley ordinarily was not a problem, but west of Canon City was an incredible obstacle - an obstacle that would result in a war between the railroads in the race to the new bonanza.

West of Canon City the Arkansas River cuts through a high plateau of igneous rocks forming a spectacular steep-walled gorge over a thousand feet deep. At its narrowest point shear walls on both sides plunge into the river creating an impassible barrier. On April 19, 1878, a hastily assembled construction crew from the Santa Fe began grading for a railroad just west of Canon City in the mouth of the gorge. The D&RG whose end of track was only � of a mile from Canon City raced crews to the same area, but were blocked by the Santa Fe graders in the narrow canyon. By a few hours they had lost the first round in what became a two-year struggle between the two railroads that would be known as the Royal Gorge War.

Old Wooden pipeline that fed water from the Arkansas River to Canon City

Hanging Bridge
An interesting part of the Santa Fe construction through the gorge is the hanging bridge at a point where the gorge narrows to 30 feet. Here the railroad had to be suspended over the river along the north side of the gorge as shear rock walls go right down into the river on both sides. C. Shallor Smith, a Kansas engineer, designed a 175-ft plate girder suspended on one side by "A" frame girders spanning the river and anchored to the rock walls. The bridge cost $11,759 in 1879, a princely sum in those days. Although it has been strengthened over the years, this unique structure has served on a main rail line for over 118 years.

The Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River, known as the Royal Gorge, was one of the highlights on the rail road route through the Rockies. The Denver & Rio Grande was then known as the Scenic Line of the World. When surveying parties first examined the route, it seemed impossible to construct a railway through the rugged canyon. The perpendicular granite walls scarcely left room for the river. Blasting away the obstructions, a roadbed was constructed hugging the canyon walls. As the railway progressed, the rugged canyon walls grew higher and higher, the river became a raging torrent to the sea, and areas the sun could not penetrate. At the narrowest point, which is 30 feet wide, a long, iron bridge was suspended from the smooth canyon walls. This became the famed hanging bridge. Passenger trains have stopped at this point for decades to allow passenger to alight and marvel at the sights and sounds of nature and see how man had conquered one of nature's obstacles. The walls of the canyon at this point rise 2,600 feet above the track.

Victoria enjoying the spectacular scenery in an open car on the The Royal Gorge Route Railroad

The Royal Gorge Route Railroad

Royal Gorge Canon

The Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River, known as the Royal Gorge, was one of the highlights on the route through the Rockies. The Denver & Rio Grande was then known as the Scenic Line of the World. When surveying parties first examined the route, it seemed impossible to construct a railway through the rugged canyon. The perpendicular granite walls scarcely left room for the river. Blasting away the obstructions, a roadbed was constructed hugging the canyon walls. As the railway progressed, the rugged canyon walls grew higher and higher, the river became a raging torrent to the sea, and areas the sun could not penetrate. At the narrowest point, which is 30 feet wide, a long, iron bridge was suspended from the smooth canyon walls. This became the famed hanging bridge. Passenger trains have stopped at this point for decades to allow passenger to alight and marvel at the sights and sounds of nature and see how man had conquered one of nature's obstacles. The walls of the canyon at this point rise 2,600 feet above the track.

Royal Gorge Railroad

World's Largest Rocking Chair

Often compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Empire State Building in New York City, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon 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.

Victoria

Often compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Empire State Building in New York City, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Ca�on 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.

Victoria standing at the Highest Spot on the Bridge

Often compared to the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Empire State Building in New York City, the Royal Gorge Bridge in Ca�on 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.

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

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

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

South Point View Spot

Royal Gorge Helirides flying next to the Bridge

Rafters white river rafting down the Arkansas River in the Royal Gorge taken from the Royal Gorge Bridge

The Royal Gorge. One of the most massive gorges in the world. The gorge was created some three million years ago when a trickle of water first began to slowly carve a canyon out of the solid granite bedrock. Today that trickle is the raging Arkansas, one of America's longest rivers. And the masterpiece it continues to carve at a rate of one foot every 2,500 years is the Royal Gorge.
The Royal Gorge is considered a world wonder often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River. Yet it's unlike any other canyon. The width at the canyon bottom is no more than 40 to 50 feet, while the top measures only a few hundred feet.

The Royal Gorge. One of the most massive gorges in the world. The gorge was created some three million years ago when a trickle of water first began to slowly carve a canyon out of the solid granite bedrock. Today that trickle is the raging Arkansas, one of America's longest rivers. And the masterpiece it continues to carve at a rate of one foot every 2,500 years is the Royal Gorge.
The Royal Gorge is considered a world wonder often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River. Yet it's unlike any other canyon. The width at the canyon bottom is no more than 40 to 50 feet, while the top measures only a few hundred feet.

The Royal Gorge. One of the most massive gorges in the world. The gorge was created some three million years ago when a trickle of water first began to slowly carve a canyon out of the solid granite bedrock. Today that trickle is the raging Arkansas, one of America's longest rivers. And the masterpiece it continues to carve at a rate of one foot every 2,500 years is the Royal Gorge.
The Royal Gorge is considered a world wonder often referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River. Yet it's unlike any other canyon. The width at the canyon bottom is no more than 40 to 50 feet, while the top measures only a few hundred feet.

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.

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.

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.

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 Ca�on 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.

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 Ca�on 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.

A view from the bottom of the Royal Gorge after riding the world's steepest Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge.

A view from the bottom of the Royal Gorge after riding the world's steepest Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge.

Victoria at the Bottom of the Royal Gorge

A view from the bottom of the Royal Gorge after riding the world's steepest Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge.

Victoria at the Bottom of the Royal Gorge.

A view from the bottom of the Royal Gorge after riding the world's steepest Incline Railway at the Royal Gorge.

One of only 3 Water Clocks in the World. It tells you the day, month, year and time powered by running water.

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.

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.

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.

View of The Royal Gorge from The World's Longest Single-Span Aerial Tram.

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.

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.

Victoria and I did one of the scariest things I have ever done. The Royal Rush Skycoaster at The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Victoria screamed the whole time! We have a great DVD of our ride. Breathless, exhilarated and suspended 1,200 feet above the roaring Arkansas River, you free-fall at up to 50 miles per hour with nothing but thin air between you and the canyon floor below. Royal Rush Skycoaster�. Even its name quickens the pulse. And at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park near Ca�on City, it's the most awesome adrenaline rush in the entire state of Colorado and one of only 85 in the world. No day trip to the theme park would be complete withought flying this thrill ride.

Victoria and I did one of the scariest things I have ever done. The Royal Rush Skycoaster at The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Victoria screamed the whole time! We have a great DVD of our ride. Breathless, exhilarated and suspended 1,200 feet above the roaring Arkansas River, you free-fall at up to 50 miles per hour with nothing but thin air between you and the canyon floor below. Royal Rush Skycoaster�. Even its name quickens the pulse. And at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park near Ca�on City, it's the most awesome adrenaline rush in the entire state of Colorado and one of only 85 in the world. No day trip to the theme park would be complete withought flying this thrill ride.

Victoria and I did one of the scariest things I have ever done. The Royal Rush Skycoaster at The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Victoria screamed the whole time! We have a great DVD of our ride. Breathless, exhilarated and suspended 1,200 feet above the roaring Arkansas River, you free-fall at up to 50 miles per hour with nothing but thin air between you and the canyon floor below. Royal Rush Skycoaster�. Even its name quickens the pulse. And at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park near Ca�on City, it's the most awesome adrenaline rush in the entire state of Colorado and one of only 85 in the world. No day trip to the theme park would be complete withought flying this thrill ride.