Disclosure: Our family was provided with media passes to explore and enjoy the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in return for our honest review. No other monetary compensation was provided.
A few weeks ago we went our first Family Road Trip and headed to Cañon City Colorado to visit the Royal Gorge Bridge. Both Jeremy and I are Colorado natives and we have decided that we would like to see more of the beautiful state we live in and take our kids on these explorations. I am not sure why we decided on the Royal Gorge Bridge first but we did and we had a great time. This trip was so great that we are already hoping to get on the road again soon with the kids.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
The drive to the Royal Gorge is not a bad drive at all, in fact coming from the North Denver area we were able to see a ton of little towns on the way down south. I have talked about our Road Trip Tips to the Royal Gorge already so please refer to that post if you have any concerns or questions about the drive to this beautiful area.
On our drive into the park we saw some of the fire reminders from 2013. The trees in the area are slowly growing and it is so nice to see this park flourishing and rebuilt.
What is the Royal Gorge?
“One day, about 3 million years ago, a trickle of water slowly began to carve out a canyon from the solid granite bedrock around it. Little by little, that tiny trickle became the raging Arkansas River, one of the United States’ longest rivers. And that canyon became the Royal Gorge. At approximately 10 miles long and surrounded by red granite walls towering over 1,000 feet, it’s no wonder some of the first American explorers referred to it as the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas.” Royal Gorge Bridge Website.
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
“The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is more than just your average theme park. It’s a part of Colorado’s history. Bridge construction started back in 1929, but the Gorge itself is millions of years in the making. And even the Royal Gorge Fire of 2013 couldn’t stop the fun and excitement from happening for years to come. The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park: Combining God’s Splendor with Man’s Ingenuity.” Royal Gorge Bridge Website.
General Royal Gorge Bridge and Park Information:
Park opens 7am, attractions and visitor center open at 10am. Open 365 Days a Year! (weather permitting)
Adults: $26 / person Seniors (60+): $23 / person Children (4-11 yrs): $21 / person
4218 Co Rd 3A, Cañon City, CO 81212
Attractions included in admission rate:
Gondola
Tommy Knocker Play Area
Bridge
Water Clock
Summer entertainment
Photo look out areas
Extra cost attractions:
Zip Line
Skycoaster
For our trip we started the day off at the visitor center to pick up our passes. Parking is all around the visitor center and it is free. The park does open at 7am and for those of you who are worried about heat and sun, I would arrive then and enjoy the bridge before heading to the other activities as they do not open until 10am. At 9:30am there was still plenty of parking available.
After we picked up our passes we did a family restroom visit before getting into the line for the gondolas. Keep in mind there is no right way to do this visit. Once you are in the park you are able to explore until closing. We decided it would be best to enjoy the gondola ride to the other side of the bridge and walk back on the bridge after we were done exploring “that side”.
The gondola ride was a lot of fun, especially when the zip liners went over us! The view is simply breathtaking. The kids really enjoyed this ride and couldn’t stop talking about how high up they were over the river. Everywhere you look there is a photo opportunity so make sure you pack a good camera!
Tommy Knocker Land
Once we took in some of the beautiful scenery we let the kids explore the Tommy Knocker Land.
“Let your children loose in our brand-new, enclosed, three-story playland. With ropes, slides, nets, tunnels, 20-foot towers and a splash pad, this playground is a kid’s dream come true. Try your luck at panning for gold at the Wee Nuggets Claim** or join your kids for a ride on the crafted, vintage-style carousel that circles past views of the Bridge and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Enjoy a family picnic looking out across the gorge or stop by the Wax Hand** shop to make casts of their hands that you will treasure forever. Opens at 10AM.”
**Wax hands and panning for gold extra cost.
After making their wax hands, that was an experience but we did it, we did a little panning for gold. HA! Jude was not a fan of the HOT wax! It wasn’t that hot, he just over reacted, as usual! Love that boy.
I am so happy we did the panning for gold. The employee helping us, Justin, was fantastic. He was so great with the kids and really explained how to do this process and even knew every stone and item they found in their boxes. Pretty impressive if you ask me!
Both Jude and Teagan were so excited to take all of their treasures home and show Grandma and Grandpa what they found in the mountains. What a fun experience for the whole family. If there is one extra thing you decide to pay for I would add this to the top of your list.
While at the play area we made sure we took a ride on the carousel as well. The kids love carousel rides and it was fun to look out and see the beautiful mountains around us during the ride.
Before we headed to walk the bridge back to the other side we let the kids climb, run and play on the huge playground. By the way, this area is covered so it is a great place for the parents to sit and rest in the shade for a bit if you need it. The kids also commented that it was nice to be out of the sun for a little while.
Explore the Bridge!
Do it! Look, I am terrified of heights so when we started planning this trip I was worried that I wouldn’t have the guts to walk on the bridge but I did it! The kids did it too! We all kind of jumped when we felt the bridge move for the first time. Yikes!! It was so much fun to check out the bridge and see the amazing sights around us.
As you walk the bridge you will see all of the state flags, make sure you find your state flag and take a picture with it and share it with the Royal Gorge. The kids really enjoyed looking at all of the state flags and of course looking down at all of the rafters in the Arkansas River. This is an experience that I will never forget and I know the kids will remember it as well.
If you cannot walk the bridge you can rent a golf cart and drive across it. No matter how you do it, you must get on that bridge!
It was super windy up on the bridge so all of our photos have messy and crazy hair! So funny! When visiting the Royal Gorge make sure you bring lots of water and drink lots of water. It is HOT and being at a higher elevation can really make you not feel well.
Before heading to the car we had to stop for a sweet cold treat at the cafe! Yum!! Such a fun day!
We have a local bridge that is similar, and I remember being fearless to cross it as a kid. Now, I'm scared go across the thing! lol Something about being older and wiser makes me hesitant, I suppose. This looks like a fun family time.
I haven't been to Colorado since I was little but I hope to return sometime soon with my kids. This place looks fun! I think my boys would especially like the playland area and would probably want to spend their whole day in it.
That bridge is gorgeous. We are huge nature lovers and enjoy exploring new spots. I will need to add this to our next Colorado trip in November, my family would love it.
I've never been to Colorado, I always just think of it as a skiing destination honestly.. Thanks for the recommendation. I want to ride the gondola and I've always wanted to try gold panning with the kids.
I really need to make a visit out to Colorado. It's so beautiful out there and I love learning more about history. Of course I love amusement parks and to mix it with learning history makes it all the better. I bet my daughter would love this too.
We have a local bridge that is similar, and I remember being fearless to cross it as a kid. Now, I'm scared go across the thing! lol Something about being older and wiser makes me hesitant, I suppose. This looks like a fun family time.
This looks super cool. I don't know that I would have the guts to cross it but it would certainly be an experience. It looks like a great family trip.
I haven't been to Colorado since I was little but I hope to return sometime soon with my kids. This place looks fun! I think my boys would especially like the playland area and would probably want to spend their whole day in it.
That bridge is gorgeous. We are huge nature lovers and enjoy exploring new spots. I will need to add this to our next Colorado trip in November, my family would love it.
I've never been to Colorado, I always just think of it as a skiing destination honestly.. Thanks for the recommendation. I want to ride the gondola and I've always wanted to try gold panning with the kids.
I really need to make a visit out to Colorado. It's so beautiful out there and I love learning more about history. Of course I love amusement parks and to mix it with learning history makes it all the better. I bet my daughter would love this too.
What an amazing adventure. Perfect family trip indeed. The views looked breath taking!