Royal Gorge Route Railroad · Santa Fe Depot, Cañon City
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad's own ride from the Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City: 110 minutes along the Arkansas River at the bottom of the gorge, with granite walls rising more than 1,000 feet above the train. Pick it for the time on the rails: the whole booking is the train, and the open-air car is yours for the entire trip.
This listing is sold by the Royal Gorge Route Railroad itself, and it is the plainest kind of booking: a 110-minute train ride through the Royal Gorge and back. You board at the Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City and the train runs west along the Arkansas River toward Parkdale, about 24 miles there and back, per the railroad. It does not turn around. The railroad runs push-pull, so the engine simply leads the other way on the return.
On the rails, the gorge closes in fast. The railroad says the granite rises more than 1,000 feet above the train, and at the Hanging Bridge, an 1879 girder slung along the wall where the canyon narrows to 30 feet, the walls rise 2,600 feet above the track, per the railroad's history page. Every ticket includes the open-air car, standing room only, open to all classes for the whole journey, per the listing and the railroad. This is the spot for photos and for the sound of the river. Inside, the railroad offers breakfast, lunch or dinner with wine, local microbrews and cocktails.
Included, per the listing: the train ride, open-air car access, and the Happy Endings Caboose Cafe and the Santa Fe Depot boutique before and after your trip. Not included: dining and drinks, hotel pickup and gratuities. In the old railroad dining tradition, unrelated parties may share a table. The listing does not name a class, so check the class shown for your date when you book. One friendly tip: arrive at least 45 minutes early, as the listing asks, park free around the depot and collect your tickets at the counter inside.
Park free around the depot in Cañon City and pick up your tickets at the counter inside. Check the departure time for your date.
Coffee, crepes or ice cream at the Happy Endings Caboose Cafe, and a look round the Santa Fe Depot boutique.
The train heads west along the Arkansas River and the canyon walls close in. Head to the open-air car whenever you like.
The track runs on the 1879 girder bridge where the gorge is only 30 feet wide.
The train reverses toward town. Order a meal or a drink at your seat, at extra cost.
The ride ends where it started, a short walk from downtown Cañon City and the Arkansas River Walk.
★★★★★My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the train ride. So much beautiful scenery to see. We enjoyed our meal and had a great lady server who also answered any of our questions.
★★★★★We went for our honeymoon! Was so much fun, everyone was extremely friendly! Will definitely be back! 10/10 recommend!
★★★★★Beautiful scenery, gorgeous day for open car ride. Food and drinks were great
★★★★★Everything was great! My out of state guests were in awe and had a great time!
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110 minutes, per the listing. The railroad says its daytime trips take about 1 hour 50 minutes, about 24 miles round trip from Cañon City toward Parkdale and back.
No. The listing includes the ride and the open-air car. Dining, wine, microbrews, cocktails and soft drinks are extra, and so are gratuities.
The Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City; the listing gives the address as 401 Water St. Parking around the depot is free, and the listing asks you to arrive 45 minutes early.
It starts from $148 per person, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before for a full refund. Meals and drinks on board are extra.
Ready to book
About 110 minutes through the Royal Gorge, with the open-air car open to every passenger.
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