Royal Gorge, CO
Please refer to the bottom of this page for the cost of two people.
Royal Gorge Train and Bridge
March 8, 2020
I booked this trip for Stephen’s birthday present. I told him it was a surprise and did not tell him what we were doing until we pulled up to the train depot. I let him wonder what I had planned during the two-hour drive. I booked the tour directly through royalgorgeroute.com and chose the Ales on the Rails tour.
All Aboard!
Since this was a surprise, we started with the train ride and then made our way to the bridge after. The train departed the station at noon and would wind through the gorge and alongside the river for two hours. The train was set up for different reservations based on each passenger car; Ales on the Rails tour, lunch tour, vista dome, club, and coach. The main difference was some cars had bars, some had tables, and the rest was seating. On this adventure, we would be served a flight of four beers brewed by Avery Brewing out of Boulder, CO. Each beer was paired with a small entree that was made to accompany the flavors of the beer.
The reservations made it clear to be there an hour early, we checked in 45 minutes early with no issues. Once we got there, we had to stand in line to get our tickets. After we received the tickets, we were sent outside to get get a green screen picture before we boarded the train. Depending on what reservation was booked, there are a few doors that are open to board; door three was ours. Once inside, we had to make the trek from cabin 13 to cabin 16, passing through the kitchen before we got to our cabin, the only cabin with a bar. We were sat with a great couple from Texas who were ready to drink with us.
We started the train ride with one complimentary beer from Avery while the train was entering the gorge. Thirty minutes into the train ride, our beer flight was served along with the pairing of food (I somehow managed not to take pictures of my beer or food). The flight of beer had a mixture of IPA’s and a sour. Stephen and I swapped each other for a couple of the ones we enjoyed the most. The food was decent and plentiful; the train served a pinwheel, chicken, mini bison burger, and crusted trout; so you were able to get a variety on one plate.
After we drank and ate, we headed to the open car with our new Texas friends (no pictures of them to protect their privacy). The train followed alongside the river the entire time for a great view. At one point, we stopped under the Royal Gorge Bridge and took in the beauty of the day. The train had a tour guide to explain some of the histories of what we were looking at; everything was pretty impressive, from inmates building the water pipeline that provided Canon City water in 1908 (pictured above) to camps that were set up from 1908 through 1924. The information was fun and exciting, but the view was more amazing.
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
The worlds highest suspension bridge
After the train ride, Stephen was a little tipsy, so I figured the highest suspension bridge in the world: at 956 feet above the Arkansas River, would sober him up quickly. The bridge is a 20-minute drive from where we departed the train. Since it was the beginning of March, it was still chilly and breezy outside, so the crowds were low.
We purchased the tickets that gave us access to the gondola and the bridge. The gondola was an excellent way to get to the other side and walk the bridge back, so we opted to do that to save some time and get a great view.
At 2,200 feet across and 1,200 feet high, it was enough to make our legs tremble, but it was a sight to see once we made it halfway and we could see the span of the bridge over the Arkansas River.
After the gondola ride, we were able to stand under the gondola as it descended, but the wind was quickly picking up and getting cold, so to the bridge we ventured.
The Royal Gorge Bridge is a feat, big enough for a car to drive down it; although, it is a pedestrian bridge only. Since the wind was picking up and rolling down the gorge, we could feel the bridge moving, so much that it made our minds believe we couldn’t walk, pretty trippy. Stephen is afraid of heights, so looking over the edge was daunting to him, and he only did it once.
Picture on left: Stephen balancing himself while trying not to freeze up due to the fear of heights.
Picture in middle: A view from over the bridge railing down to the Arkansas River.
Picture on the right: Stephen taking a picture of a portion of the mass amount of suspensions holding the bridge.
The Royal Gorge Train and Bridge was a quick day trip that kept us entertained. We highly recommended the train ride even if you don’t do the Ales on Rails tour. The Bridge was worth the price, and in the summer months, they have a park with more attractions that can keep you entertained all day. Royal Gorge is the type of trip that is perfect for all family members.
Thank you for checking out my post on Royal Gorge Train and Bridge. I hope you found something of interest or useful. Please use the comment section for more ideas, but please don’t be rude. As always, travel on and stay grounded.