Royal Gorge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Gorge |
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 Royal Gorge
Location in Colorado
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| Length | 6 miles (9.7 km) |
| Width | 50 feet (15 m) (base) 300 feet (91 m) (top) |
| Depth | 1,250 feet (380 m) |
| Geology | |
| Type | canyon |
| Geography | |
| Rivers | Arkansas River |
The Royal Gorge is a deep, narrow canyon in Colorado. It is carved by the Arkansas River west of Cañon City. This amazing natural wonder is sometimes called the "Grand Canyon of the Arkansas River."
The canyon starts about 2 mi (3.2 km) west of Cañon City. It stretches for about 6 mi (9.7 km) in a west-northwesterly direction. The Royal Gorge is one of the deepest canyons in Colorado. It reaches a maximum depth of 1,250 ft (380 m).
The gorge is also very narrow. At its bottom, it is only about 50 ft (15 m) wide. At the top, it widens to about 300 ft (91 m). The river has cut this path through hard granite rock. This rock lies beneath Fremont Peak and YMCA Mountain. These mountains rise above the canyon's north and south edges.
Contents
How the Royal Gorge Was Formed
The Arkansas River was already flowing when the Rocky Mountains began to rise. This happened about 3 million years ago. At that time, the Arkansas River was just a small stream.
As the mountains slowly pushed up from the plains, the river kept flowing. It wore away at the stone it crossed. Scientists believe the mountains grew about one foot every 2,500 years. Over thousands of years, this small stream became a powerful river.
It cut a very deep channel through the tough granite rock. This long, direct erosion through hard rock gave the gorge its unique shape. It looks different from wider canyons like the Grand Canyon.
Early Visitors and Settlers
Long before Europeans arrived, Native American tribes used the Royal Gorge. The Ute people often spent winters there. The canyon offered protection from strong winds and had a milder climate.
Other tribes, like the Comanche, Kiowa, Sioux, and Cheyenne, also visited. They used the gorge to reach mountain meadows for buffalo hunting.
In the 17th century, Spanish explorers might have seen the gorge. Fur traders also traveled through the area. The first recorded European visit was in 1806. Zebulon Pike led an expedition that explored the gorge. His group even built a simple shelter there. They rode horses over the frozen Arkansas River.
The Railroad Race
Nearby Cañon City was founded in 1860. People hoped to find valuable minerals there. In 1877, silver and lead were discovered near Leadville. This led to a rush to build a railroad to the mining areas.
The Royal Gorge was a difficult spot for railroads. It was too narrow for two different companies to build tracks side-by-side. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad both wanted access.
This led to the "Royal Gorge Railroad War." For two years, the companies had small conflicts. The U.S. government stepped in to stop the fighting. They created a deal called the "Treaty of Boston." The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad finished its line. They then allowed the Santa Fe company to use it.
In the 1890s, the Royal Gorge became a route for transcontinental trains. Up to four trains passed through daily. Later, other routes through the mountains became popular. Passenger train service through the gorge stopped in 1967. Today, a special sightseeing train still runs through the canyon.
The Royal Gorge Today
On May 7, 1879, the first special train trip went through the Royal Gorge. This happened after many legal battles between the railroad companies.
Today, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers fun train rides. These trains travel 11 miles (18 km) through the canyon. They go from Cañon City to a historic caretaker's house.
In 1906, a local newspaper editor named Guy U. Hardy worked to create Royal Gorge Park. He helped the land become part of Cañon City.
In 1929, Cañon City built the Royal Gorge Bridge. This bridge is 955 feet (291 m) above the river. It was the highest bridge in the world from 1929 until 2001. The bridge is the main attraction of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. This park has rides and fun activities on both sides of the gorge. The city owns the land and bridge. A company called the Royal Gorge Bridge Company manages the park.
Wildfire and Rebuilding
On June 11, 2013, a wildfire started near the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park. The fire sadly destroyed 48 of the 52 buildings in the park. The bridge itself was only slightly damaged. Some scorched wooden planks needed to be replaced.
The park was rebuilt and reopened on August 30, 2014. It continues to be a popular place for visitors.
Fun Activities at the Gorge
During the summer, rafting is a very popular activity in the Royal Gorge. People come from all over the world to experience the Class IV rapids of the Arkansas River. They also enjoy the beautiful canyon views.
Some famous rapids in the gorge include Sunshine Falls, Sledgehammer, and Boateater. The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area manages river activities. You need to pay a daily fee to launch rafts upstream. Many companies offer guided rafting trips through the gorge. On summer weekends, hundreds of rafts can be seen on the river.
Other activities like BASE jumping, bungee jumping, and rock climbing are usually not allowed. However, during special events, bridge jumps have sometimes been permitted.
The cost to enter the park has changed over the years. In 2023, it was USD$32 for adults. For children aged 3 to 11, it was USD$27.
Images for kids
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Gorge and bridge from the south rim
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A train on the Hanging Bridge
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Looking east from the bridge
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Gorge and bridge from the north rim
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