The Royal Gorge in Colorado is a natural wonder that draws approximately 500,000 visitors every year. This deep and narrow canyon, carved by the Arkansas River, is an awe-inspiring sight that is not to be missed. But beyond its stunning beauty, the Royal Gorge is full of fascinating history and impressive engineering feats. Here are 10 incredible facts about the Royal Gorge in Colorado.
The Royal Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in Colorado, plunging to an impressive depth of 1,250 feet.
The Royal Gorge Bridge, built in 1929, stands 956 feet above the Arkansas River, making it one of the highest suspension bridges in the world.
The Royal Gorge Bridge is the centerpiece of a 360-acre amusement park that offers spectacular views, thrilling rides, and interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.
The Royal Gorge Bridge was constructed in just six months back in 1929, which was considered a remarkable engineering feat for its time.
The bridge was designed by engineer George Cole and constructed by the McClintic-Marshall Company, a firm based in Minneapolis.
During construction, workers endured extreme conditions, including high winds, heavy snowfall, and the constant threat of rockslides.
The bridge was built as a tourist attraction and continues to serve that purpose today, drawing over 300,000 visitors each year.
The Royal Gorge has a rich and diverse history. It was once home to Native American tribes, later explored by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, and became a key route during the Colorado Gold Rush in the 1800s.
Yes, in 2013, a devastating wildfire swept through the Royal Gorge area, burning more than 3,200 acres and destroying many of the park’s buildings and attractions.
Yes! The Royal Gorge is famous for its world-class whitewater rafting, offering thrilling Class III to V rapids set against the stunning backdrop of the canyon’s 1,250-foot walls. We think white water rafting is the BEST way to experience the raw beauty of the Royal Gorge, but we might be a little biased.
In addition to these fascinating facts, the Royal Gorge also offers a variety of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. From riding the world's highest zip line to taking a scenic train ride through the canyon, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Honestly, the best way to see the Royal Gorge is from the river. The canyon looks completely different from the water — walls closing in on both sides, the bridge appearing 900 feet overhead, rapids bouncing off the granite. No overlook gives you that.
Performance Tours has been running the Royal Gorge since 1986, with trips ranging from family-friendly floats through Bighorn Sheep Canyon to Class IV+ whitewater through the Gorge itself. Every trip comes with all the gear and a guide who knows this stretch of river cold.
"We know we want to raft the Royal Gorge, but our group can't decide between a half day or a full day. What's the difference between the half day and full day Royal Gorge tour?" We get this question a lot.
One of the biggest differences between the half day and full day Royal Gorge white water tour is the time on the river. The half day tour includes about 2 hours of time on the Arkansas River, and depending on the flows, covers between 8-12 river miles. The stretch of the river that the half day explores is one of the most action-packed sections of the Arkansas River, with continuous class 4+ rapids like Sunshine Falls, Sledgehammer, and Wall Slammer. For the half day adventure there are two departure options — 9:30am and 1:00pm — which means the half-day can anchor either end of your day.
One thing worth noting is that the total activity time—which includes check-in, transportation to/ from the river, safety talk, etc.— is about 4 hours, which means you could plan for a second activity if you're really trying to pack it in. A popular option is to pair a half day of rafting the Royal Gorge with the Royal Gorge train ride through our Raft & Rail adventure package.
The full day whitewater rafting Royal Gorge tour gives guests more time on the river—approximately 4 hours—and includes a riverside lunch (more on that here!). Guests can expect to travel between 16 - 20 river miles over the course of the 4-hour tour, with a leisurely lunchtime stop to fuel up on fresh cold-cut sandwiches before tackling the afternoon rapids in the Gorge. In addition to the legendary class 4+ rapids experienced on the half day tour like Sunshine Falls, the full day tour has guests paddling through more class 3-4 rapids like Spike Buck, Shark's Tooth and Five Points.
Also, there's only one daily tour option for the full day tour, which meets at 9:30am at our office in Canon City. Guests on the full day tour should plan for approximately 6 hours for the total activity time. If your group is short on time or pairing rafting with another activity, the half-day is the move. If you want the full Royal Gorge experience and aren't in a rush, the full day is worth every extra hour.
For those who prefer to stay dry, the Royal Gorge also offers a number of hiking trails and scenic overlooks that provide stunning views of the canyon and its surroundings. The park's interactive exhibits also provide a glimpse into the history and geology of the Royal Gorge, as well as the flora and fauna that call the canyon home.
Whether you're a history buff, an adrenaline junkie, or simply in search of stunning natural scenery, the Royal Gorge in Colorado is a must-visit destination. With its rich history, impressive engineering feats, and breathtaking views, it's easy to see why this natural wonder has captured the hearts of visitors for generations.
