90 Years of Wow: The Royal Gorge Bridge and Its Fame

The Royal Gorge Bridge has been stopping people in their tracks for 90 years. Suspended 956 feet above the Arkansas River, it held the title of world's highest suspension bridge for decades and remains one of Colorado's most visited landmarks.

Built in 1929 during six months of construction, the bridge was an engineering marvel of its era. Workers suspended above the canyon floor assembled the structure that would become a symbol of human ambition and Colorado's dramatic landscape. The bridge came through the 2013 Royal Gorge fire, which destroyed most of the park's buildings, and the park was rebuilt and reopened.

For residents of Royal Gorge Ranch & Resort, the bridge is more than a tourist attraction — it is a neighbor. Point Alta Vista, one of our five eco areas, offers direct views of the bridge and the canyon it spans. The historic railroad scenic outlook that gives the area its name was one of the first places travelers could appreciate the gorge from above.

The bridge brings visitors to the region every year, supporting a tourism economy that benefits every business in Canon City and the surrounding area. As the newest community in the Royal Gorge region, the Ranch & Resort adds residential depth to what has been primarily a visitor destination.

Ninety years of wow. And from our ridgeline, the view is better than ever.