Incredible Outdoor Adventures in the Royal Gorge Region
Southern Colorado’s Best Experiences
The great outdoors of Colorado provides some of the best experiences in nearly any type of activity you and your family are looking to try. From hiking to fishing, whitewater rafting to rock climbing, and ancient archaeology to helicopter tours, the Royal Gorge Region in Southern Colorado offers incredible adventures. Read more in this blog on the best things to do in Southern Colorado:
An Adventure for Everybody
The most prominent attraction in Southern Colorado comes with a slice of inspiring history. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park opened to the public in December of 1929 as one of the most incredible engineering feats of its time. Come Across the Royal Gorge Bridge! Walking the quarter mile long bridge across the famous Royal Gorge is included in a daily admission ticket. The Royal Gorge Bridge is suspended 956 feet over the winding Arkansas River below, which also features train tracks below that run alongside the river. Those who cross the bridge witness incredible sights and sounds of the Royal Gorge Region, as well as the pioneering project of the bridge nearly 100 years ago.
Along with crossing America’s Bridge at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, plenty more incredible adventures await. The park also features an aerial gondola, which is one of the longest-single span gondolas in America. This ride is highly popular with guests as complete 360-degree views are seen from inside the gondola. Comfortable benches in the gondolas let you sit, relax, and enjoy the incredible scenery all around you and below!
Running parallel to our aerial gondolas is the next best adventure in Southern Colorado, the Cloudscraper Zip Line at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park! Riders load on the zip line in a seated position. Two riders can zip next to each other on separate seats, which provide a truly unforgettable experience with your friends and family. Our zip line is equipped with an automatic braking system, leaving you to fly by the seat of your pants hands-free! The Cloudscraper Zip Line is rated The Travel Channel’s #1 Colorado Bucket List Experience as it zips riders across the Royal Gorge 1,200 feet above the roaring Arkansas River.
For those wanting more, the biggest rush of adrenaline is found on our Royal Rush Skycoaster at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Up to three riders are hoisted 100 feet in the air before being dropped to swing back and forth over the edge of the Royal Gorge. Skycoaster riders reach speeds up to 50 mph and momentarily dangle 1,200 feet over the Arkansas River! This one-of-a-kind attraction lets riders safely free-fall over the depths of the Royal Gorge and gives them the feeling of soaring. Our photo and video system film your ride so you have proof that you are brave enough to ride the certified World’s Scariest Skycoaster!
The thrill rides at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park are unlike any theme park as the rides are combined with incredible Colorado scenery. The depths of the Royal Gorge make these rides an experience of a lifetime. Visitors who want an immersive and up-close experience in the Royal Gorge will find the Via Ferrata the most fulfilling outdoor adventure in Southern Colorado. The Royal Gorge Via Ferrata tour is the most unique of our area. The Via Ferrata is a term that describes a climbing system that dates back to WWII when European troops had to climb and traverse steep, rugged mountain terrain. This type of terrain is a common characteristic of Southern Colorado. The Via Ferrata at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park features metal rungs, ladders, and permanently fixed safety wire within the gorge.
Our expert guides take visitors into the gorge and educate them on how to use the safety clips and wires to scale the rock walls. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to scale the granite rock walls of the Royal Gorge above the roaring Arkansas River is available to you and the whole family at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. Conquer the Royal Gorge and reach new heights with the Royal Gorge Via Ferrata!
The Royal Gorge Region is situated in a unique position of Colorado, offering mountain terrain, desert landscapes, and incredible opportunities for river activities. This area of Southern Colorado is within a “banana belt”, a weather term that describes a large geographic area that gets warmer weather compared to the entire region. Plus, Colorado Parks and Wildlife designated 102 miles of the Arkansas River as the longest Gold Medal fishing waters in Colorado. The Royal Gorge Region is world renowned for its incredible outdoor adventures!
More Adventures to Experience in Southern Colorado
1. Float the Rapids of the Arkansas River
Load into an inflatable raft with one of the incredible rafting outfitters in Cañon City for an incredible adventure on water! River Runners provides guided whitewater rafting tours on the Arkansas River through the Royal Gorge and through Big Horn Sheep Canyon, another gorge west of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. See the Royal Gorge Bridge from below as you paddle the rapids. Mellow rapids for families to raging class IV+ for experts are offered by the rafting outfitters.
2. All Aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Climb aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Cañon City for an incredible train ride along the Arkansas River. Dine and ride with the Royal Gorge train’s food options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, local Colorado beers and wine, and more. Don’t forget to look up as the train winds through the gorge and passes under the Royal Gorge Bridge in the sky above!
3. Roam the Prehistoric Lands of Dinosaurs
Colorado’s prehistoric history is filled with dinosaurs, marine life, and more! Experience a slice of ancient life at the Royal Gorge Dinosaur Experience! You and your family can roam free through the educational and interactive dinosaur exhibits or book a guided tour (free with admission) through the museum. There is also a Paleo Lab, theater, and ropes course featured at this museum experience across Highway 50 from the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park!
4. Fly with Royal Gorge Helicopter Tours
Get a bird’s eye view of the stunning Royal Gorge when you book a helicopter flight with Royal Gorge Helicopter Tours! You can see the Royal Gorge, the Royal Gorge Bridge, Big Horn Sheep Canyon, Pikes Peak, and so much more with the variety of helicopter tours from this local company in Southern Colorado.
5. Sightsee with Colorado Jeep Tours
One of the best sightseeing companies in the Royal Gorge Region is Colorado Jeep Tours! Experience Southern Colorado on either a half or full day off-road excursion. Riding with a well-informed driver ensures you experience this region like a local with all the best scenery and history. Learn about Colorado’s 1800s gold mining industry and how the Gold Rush birthed today’s mountain towns of Cripple Creek and Victor during their Gold Belt Tour. Other tours include the Royal Gorge, Red Canyon Park, and more!