Over the Royal Gorge

Despite very wet, cold and windy weather, we tried to do some sight seeing while in Colorado Springs. One of the "must do" places in the area is Royal Gorge, and the Royal Gorge Bridge that crosses the Arkansas River, near Canon City.

The bridge is part of a privately owned and operated park that offers many ways to see the Gorge, including zip-lining and the Sky Coaster, neither of which we opted to experience. 

No, that's neither Rick or Lenore up there on the zip-line

We chose the gondola, which while not death defying, did offer some great views.

One of the most interesting things about this park is that it was completely destroyed by a wildfire in 2013. The fire actually jumped the gorge and burned everything on both sides, yet left the bridge intact. Only some of the wooden boards that form the road over the bridge were burned. 

Since the fire, the company has rebuilt the Visitor's Center and a few other buildings, the gondola, the zip-line and the Sky Coaster.  The Grand Re-Opening was May 8, 2015.  We were there just a few days before and there was lots of activity getting everything ready.

Teeny tiny gondolas near the top of the gorge

Looking back at the Visitor's Center from the gondola

The price of admission is about as steep as the walls of the gorge, but includes as many walks across the bridge and rides on the gondola as you want. There is a film about the fire and a small museum of related artifacts.  

Royal Gorge Bridge cable

 The Visitor's Center has a really lovely cafe with great views from its balcony. There's even cozy seating around a fireplace on the deck if the wind chills you too much.

Visitor's Center

It is a truly dramatic gorge and worth a visit. Canon City is an interesting historic and tourist town as well. It's also a very scenic drive from Colorado Springs. We even got a little sunshine along the way.

View across the bridge from the Visitor's Center