Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

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

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.

“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!  

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Zonked out!  I guess that means Teagan had a fun day!

Have you and your family visited the Royal Gorge Bridge?