Royal Gorge Rafting Center in Canon City, Colorado

Raft family-friendly Bighorn Sheep Canyon or challenge the famous Royal Gorge

The River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center – eight miles west of Canon City, Colorado – offers the best whitewater rafting vacations near Colorado Springs. Raft family-friendly Bighorn Sheep Canyon or challenge the world-famous Royal Gorge on half day and full day rafting adventures. Book online or call today. We can answer questions and provide recommendations about rafting trips and other activities in the Royal Gorge Region of Colorado.

Meet at River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center

Once you’ve made your rafting reservation, meet at the River Runners Royal Gorge Rafting Center 45 minutes prior to your trip time. Our professional staff will take care of trip logistics, provide necessary instruction and make you feel at ease. All River Runners guests receive discount coupons to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.

Big rapids, grand geologic features, intriguing human history and famous engineering make the Royal Gorge one of Colorado’s best rafting trips

See the canyon from top to bottom. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park includes the highest suspension bridge in North America at over 1,000 feet above the river, an incline tram that travels down the side of the canyon to the bottom, a cabled gondola that goes from rim to rim, and much more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arkansas River rafting trips in Canon City, Colorado

 

 

 

Package a River Runners Rafting Trip with Area Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raft under the Royal Gorge Bridge in Canon City, Colorado

Join the 310,000 annual visitors to the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in making it Colorado’s most popular tourist attraction. One admission price covers 21 rides, shows and attractions – this includes going across North America’s highest suspension bridge, riding one of the world’s highest single-span trams, and going to the bottom of the Royal Gorge on one of the world’s steepest incline railways. Also experience the Royal Rush Sky Coaster, Trail Rides and Jeep Tours, which are available for additional admissions within the park. Other popular activities found in the Royal Gorge Region of Colorado include white water rafting the Royal Gorge and other stretches of the Arkansas River, taking an excursion train through the gorge with the Royal Gorge Route Rail Road and flying through the depths of the gorge on a helicopter tour. Call today to find your Colorado experience at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park in Cañon City, Colorado.

 

ROYAL GORGE BRIDGE LIVE WEB CAM

A brief history of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

The Royal Gorge of the Arkansas River has been a popular attraction in Colorado dating back to the late 1870’s. The first tourist train passed through the canyon on May 7, 1879 after many years of court battles – known as the Railroad Wars – between the Denver & Rio Grande and the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroads. In 1929 Cañon City authorized the construction of the Royal Gorge Bridge, which held the distinction of highest suspension bridge in the world until 2003. Today, the bridge is the centerpiece of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park where you can experience everything Colorado has to offer in one place.

Quick Facts about the Royal Gorge Bridge

The Royal Gorge Bridge was constructed in 1929 by the Royal Gorge Amusement Company at a cost of $350,000 (today it would cost more than $18 million).

The Royal Gorge Bridge is 18 feet wide and 1,260 feet long, and 956 feet high (long reported as 1,053 feet)

The Royal Gorge Bridge held the record as world’s highest suspension bridge from 1929 until 2003 when it was surpassed by the Beipanjiang River Bridge in China.

The floor of the Royal Gorge Bridge is made from 1,000 tons of steel and 1,300 wood planks.

The Royal Gorge Bridge is suspended by two 200-ton cables (each cable has 2100 strands of number nine galvanized wire).

Group accommodations and special rates at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Royal Gorge Bridge and Park offers group accommodations and special rates for groups of 15 or more – so if you have a corporate retreat, educational event, wedding or reunion – be sure to contact the park’s group sales team for friendly service and custom packages. Your group is sure to love the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park as they can get the full Colorado experience in one place with rugged camping, nature hikes, white water rafting, amusement rides, live entertainment and much more.

Bighorn Mountain Lodge at the Royal Gorge – Nothing short of spectacular

In addition to the numerous hotels in Cañon City and primitive campsites scattered throughout the Royal Gorge area, visitors can stay at the rustically luxurious Bighorn Mountaintop Lodge on the north rim of the Royal Gorge. This unique lodge is just a short walk from the park’s main gates and the rates are actually affordable. The Lodge features three bedrooms, a modern kitchen and a large great room.

Things to do at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park offers many family friendly rides, shows and attractions, but the fun goes way beyond the park boundaries. From white water rafting trips and train rides through the Royal Gorge to jeep tours and nature hikes on its rim – you are sure to find plenty of things to do in the Royal Gorge Region of Colorado.

Rides and attractions at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Royal Gorge Bridge

Walking across the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado

Aerial Tram

Arial Tram Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Carousel

Carousel at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Incline Railway

Ride the incline Railway to the bottom of the Royal Gorge

Trolley

Ride the Trolley Across the Royal Gorge Bridge

Cliff Walk

Royal Rush Sky Coaster (additional fee)

Ride the Royal Rush Sky Coaster above the Arkansas River

Burro Rides (additional fee)

Burro Rides at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Jeep Tours (additional fee)

Point Sublime

Take in the views of the Arkansas River from Point Sublime

Mountain Man Encampment

Mountain Man Encampment

Petting Zoo

View of Arkansas River from the Royal Gorge Bridge

View of the Arkansas River from the Royal Gorge Bridge

View of the Royal Gorge Bridge from Below

View of the Royal Gorge Bridge from Below

Visitors Center

Visitor Center Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

Water Clock

Water powered clock at the Royal Gorge in Colorado

Wapiti Western Wildlife Refuge

Visit The Wapiti Wildlife Refuge

Shows and events at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Gazebo Theatre

Pavilion Show

Plaza Theatre

Catch a Show at the Plaza Theatre

Magic Show

Shopping at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Visitors Center

Stryker Rich Trading Post – Royal Village Shirts & Tattoos – Colorado Country Shop – Prospector Pan – Custom Beadwork by Connie

Dining at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

Places to Eat at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park

The Cliff Terrace – The Royal Grill – Pizza and Sub Garden