Vibe:

Relaxed to thrilling

Drive time:

About two hours and 30 minutes south of downtown Denver.

TIP:

Bring sunscreen, water bottles, comfortable walking shoes, and a stroller for babies and toddlers. Picnics are allowed (no alcohol) in designated areas or you can purchase food on-site.

Visitors can choose to be as adventurous as they wish at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, with a wide range of activities that vary by season.

Make the most of your day

Arrive when the park opens for fewer crowds and cooler temperatures in the warm weather. Start by taking an Aerial Gondola ride across the Royal Gorge to the south side of the park. There, you can ride the Cloudscraper Zip Line; walk down the tree-lined path to the Royal Rush Skycoaster to swing 1200 feet over the edge of the gorge; or visit the Elk Park Amphitheater for live music Thursday to Sunday. The Tommy Knocker Children’s Playland gives kids a chance to climb, slide, and ride the Daisy’s Carousel.

Take a selfie on the bridge

Learn the history of the park at the Plaza Theater, then walk across the bridge and take in the views from 956 feet above the Arkansas River. Take a picture with your favorite state flag, all 50 of which are on the bridge. Back on the other side, don’t miss the Visitor Center and the water-powered Waterclock. For even more adventure, sign up in advance for the Via Ferrata, a guided climb that scales the walls of the gorge.

Ride the rails

Leaving the park, head 20 minutes east to Cañon City and ride the nearby Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Have your camera ready for lots of pictures and video as the train makes its way through the narrow, Royal Gorge Canyon. Opt for one of the open-air cars for unobstructed views up 1,000-foot-tall canyon walls.