A Tourist Icon Built in Record Time

A Tourist Icon Built in Record Time

Usa, north-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Just outside Cañon City, Colorado, you'll find the legendary Royal Gorge Bridge, a true marvel of engineering and a total feast for the eyes. Back in 1929, they threw this thing up in just seven months – can you believe it? For over 70 years, it was the "World's Highest Bridge"!

Forget your typical commute; this bridge was built purely for thrills. These days, it's the star attraction of the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, packed with rides and heart-stopping attractions.

Now, let's talk views. Standing on this bridge is an experience. You're staring straight down into one of Colorado's deepest canyons, and the classic wood-plank deck gives you a front-row seat to the dizzying drop. Below, the Arkansas River snakes through the gorge, and the trains look like tiny toys chugging along the canyon floor.

This bridge has seen it all, from daring bungee jumps to aerial stunts. It's even survived some serious weather – fierce mountain gusts and even a raging wildfire. But don't worry, it's still standing strong!

Heads up: if you're afraid of heights, this might test your limits. And be prepared for those Colorado winds, especially in the spring and early summer. You'll be walking only, as the bridge is pedestrian-only. Park at the entrance, and get ready for an unforgettable walk!

Getting here is easy. From Cañon City, just hop on U.S. 50. Coming from Colorado Springs? Take Highway 115 to Florence and then U.S. 50 West. Or, for a longer, more scenic route, go through Woodland Park on Highway 67 to U.S. 50.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Usa
Continent
north-america
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in north-america

The wild road to Arenal Volcano National Parkmoderate

The wild road to Arenal Volcano National Park

🌍 Costa Rica

Okay, picture this: you're in Costa Rica, Alajuela Province to be exact, heading towards the legendary Arenal Volcano National Park Visitor Center. The road? Pure magic. Starting from Ruta Nacional Secundaria 142, you're in for a smooth, paved ride. Forget bumpy dirt tracks! This is a breezy 3.4 km (just over 2 miles) that climbs up to 634m (around 2,080ft). And trust me, the views are worth every meter. As you wind your way up, keep your eyes peeled – you're smack-dab in Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal. That means insane vistas of the Arenal Volcano itself. Seriously, this thing is iconic. Towering 1633 meters above sea level, this perfectly cone-shaped stratovolcano dominates the landscape. Get your camera ready, because you'll be snapping pics the whole way!

Kaiser Pass is a classic road trip in Sierra National Forestmoderate

Kaiser Pass is a classic road trip in Sierra National Forest

🇺🇸 Usa

Kaiser Pass is a super high mountain pass nestled in Fresno County, California, clocking in at a whopping 9,196 feet! It's definitely one of the highest roads you'll find in the Golden State. The road itself, aptly named Kaiser Pass Road, is a fully paved adventure that winds for about 22.4 miles from CA-168 (near Huntington Lake) all the way to Florence Lake. Now, a word of caution: if you're not a fan of narrow mountain roads where backing up for oncoming traffic is the norm, this might not be your cup of tea. It's a winding, sometimes one-lane (ish) road, so take it slow and easy. There are pull-over spots, but be prepared to do a little maneuvering. Big rigs and trailers? Probably best to skip this one. The road gets steep, with grades hitting 12% in some spots. For a good chunk of the drive, it feels like you're on a goat path: narrow, steep, twisty, exposed, and riddled with potholes. The first five miles are smooth sailing on a two-lane highway, but the last 12 miles get pretty narrow and curvy. You'll be cruising at around 20 MPH, tops. There are only 3 areas that are cliffy. Perched high in the Sierras, the road is usually closed during the winter months, typically open from late May to mid-November. If you're heading up during shoulder seasons, be prepared for anything – winter driving conditions might call for chains or cables, and the weather can change on a dime. Located in the Sierra National Forest, the views are incredible. Set aside about 1.5 hours to drive it without stopping. Also, keep in mind this is bear country, so store your food properly and definitely don't feed the wildlife. And don't forget your mosquito repellent!

A chairlift access road to June Mountain in Californiamoderate

A chairlift access road to June Mountain in California

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the Eastern Sierra Nevada, southeast of Yosemite, and you stumble upon June Mountain. We're talking serious elevation here – 10,144 feet! This isn't your typical paved road; it's a rugged, unpaved access road (think 4x4 territory only) that winds its way up to the chairlifts. Summer is definitely your best bet for tackling this adventure, and daylight is your friend. Trust me, you don't want to try this at night. The scenery? Absolutely epic. But a word to the wise: keep an eye on the weather. Things can change quickly up here.

Where is Emerald Bay Road?hard

Where is Emerald Bay Road?

🇺🇸 Usa

Emerald Bay Road is a must-do scenic drive hugging the western shore of Lake Tahoe in California. Get ready for some thrills because this road can be a bit of a nail-biter, clinging to steep cliffs with, at times, no guardrails! Located on the eastern edge of California, near the Nevada border, this fully paved section of Highway 89 is not for the faint of heart. Imagine yourself perched on a mountain ridge with massive drop-offs on either side. It's a little scary, sure, but the views are SO worth it. Trust me, you'll be high above not one, but two dazzling mountain lakes! This incredible stretch of road is just under 30km (18.6 miles) long, winding from Lake Valley to Tahoma in the Sierra Nevada's Carson Range. The highest point is Inspiration Point, sitting pretty at 2,084m (6,837ft) above sea level, a full 600 feet above Lake Tahoe. From up there, you'll get the picture-perfect panorama of Emerald Bay, boats bobbing on the water, Vikingsholm, and Fanette Island. Tip: parking can get tricky in the summer, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, so plan accordingly! Emerald Bay Road does throw in some steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 9%. There’s a particularly memorable quarter-mile stretch where you're riding a ridge separating Emerald Bay from Cascade Lake, with a stomach-dropping 600-foot plunge on both sides – sans guardrails! So, if you're not a fan of heights or the wind is howling, maybe save this one for a calmer day. It’s breathtaking, but definitely precipitous!