Royal Gorge Bridge and Park: A Thrilling Experience
Okay, confession: we are super fans of heights. So why are we about to walk across a bridge made of wooden planks, suspended 956 feet above a canyon? Because this is the Royal Gorge Bridge, America’s highest suspension bridge. It’s an icon, a marvel of engineering, and a piece of history hanging in the sky. We had to know if we could conquer it, and you’re coming with us.
The Approach
Standing at the edge of the Royal Gorge, the scale is impossible to comprehend. The bridge spans over 1,200 feet from one side of the chasm to the other, with steel towers shooting 150 feet into the Colorado sky.
The history is just as wild: in 1929, a crew of about 80 men built this entire thing in only six months, with no serious injuries. This wasn’t built for traffic; it was built for tourists, to give people a chance to stand nearly 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River.
But the closer I get, the more I’m staring at the 1,292 wooden planks, and yes, you can see right through the cracks to the river below.
The Confrontation
Alright, first step. My heart is pounding, and you can definitely feel it sway. I know it’s designed to be flexible, to handle intense winds, but there’s a huge difference between knowing that and feeling the bridge move.
The granite walls of the gorge just fall away beneath me, and far below, the Arkansas River looks like a tiny silver thread. My eyes keep snapping back down, right through the planks at my feet. 956 feet is just a number until you’re suspended that high by steel and wood.
My logical brain is saying, “Dude, it can hold two million pounds,” but the primate side of my brain is just screaming. I’m shuffling my feet, trying not to look down. Halfway across. The fear is definitely still there, but something else is creeping in… just pure wonder. This is one of the most incredible things I have ever done.
The Aerial Gondola
The Royal Gorge Aerial Gondola takes you soaring above the breathtaking beauty of Colorado’s Royal Gorge. It’s like a roller coaster, but with better views and a lot higher. The gondola takes you almost 1,200 feet above the Arkansas River.
The views of the sheer granite walls and the rugged landscape that have made this gorge a natural wonder for centuries are simply breathtaking. We conquered this incredible ride even though it was so high.
The Other Side & The Park
We made it. The feeling of solid ground is pure adrenaline and relief. Looking back, the bridge is more than a scary walkway; it’s a monument to ambition. And the bridge is just the beginning. This whole area is an adventure park.
If you thought the walk over the bridge was wild, the Royal Rush Skycoaster swings you out over the edge at 50 miles per hour.
The Cloudscraper in the park is America’s highest zipline. This looks really scary!
Wildlife can be active in the area, as you can see here.
There was even an incredible incline railway from the 1930s that took you down to the river. A fire damaged the incline railway in 2013, and it was not repaired.
Key Takeaways
- The Royal Gorge Bridge is America’s highest suspension bridge, standing 956 feet above the Arkansas River.
- Walking across the bridge is a thrilling experience, combining fear and wonder with stunning views.
- The Royal Gorge Aerial Gondola offers breathtaking views of the gorge from nearly 1,200 feet above.
- The area features an adventure park with exciting attractions like the Royal Rush Skycoaster and America’s highest zipline.
- The bridge, a historical engineering marvel, survived the Great Depression and a wildfire in 2013, symbolizing overcoming fears.
Conclusion
Alright, I have to know… what’s your biggest fear? Is it heights, like me? And be honest, could you do this walk? Drop a comment below, as we really want to know if we’re alone who find this a little bit scary.
Walking across that bridge is a lesson in history and engineering. This bridge has stood for nearly a century. The bridge survived the Great Depression and even a massive wildfire in 2013 that destroyed most of the park around it, but the bridge itself survived. Making it across proves that sometimes, the best stuff in life is waiting right on the other side of your comfort zone. You have got to see this place if you are in Colorado. Just… try not to look down.
Make sure you take a look at our post on the Royal Gorge Railway, which you can combine into one trip like we did. It’s well worth it!!
If you enjoy this content, explore all of our other travel destinations, particularly our Colorado Travels, as well as other notable destinations. You will find posts on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway and the Garden of the Gods in the Manitou Springs/Colorado Springs area. Also, check out our YouTube travel channel at Travel with D and E, along with our sister site at Cruising with D and E.
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