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Colorado Attractions|Sights & Landmarks

This Terrifying Bridge In Colorado Will Make Your Stomach Drop

By Annie | Published March 04, 2016

If you are a Colorado native, there is a good chance that you have crossed a legendary bridge that is considered by some to be one of the 5 scariest in the country. (Or if you haven’t crossed it, I think it’s safe to say that you have at least heard of it.) Here is more about the iconic bridge and just why it is so gut wrenching:

Built in 1929, the 1,260 foot long, 18 foot wide bridge was built within a six month period as an intended tourist attraction. The 1,292 planked wonder can hold numerous pedestrians at a time, but prohibits oversize vehicles (such as RVs and trucks) at all times.

Warning: This bridge is NOT for the faint of heart, as up until 2003, the Royal Gorge was considered to be the highest suspension bridge in the world. (It was beat out by China's Beipanjiang River Bridge, which stands at a whopping 1,201 feet high.)

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Throughout the years, the Royal Gorge Bridge has seen a number of renovations and up-keeping, most famously in the early 1980's when $2.8M was put in for new cable anchors, suspension rods and paint.

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Sadly, this magnificent structure has seen its fair share of hard times, including a devastating wildfire in 2013 that burned several of the bridges planks, in addition to destroying 48 of the park's 52 buildings. (Pictured is an ISS image showing some of the Bridge's burn damage.)

If walking across what is essentially an open air, 100-story building just isn't your thing, don't worry; the surrounding Park offers a variety of things to do including a zipline, children's area, and rides on the acclaimed Royal Gorge Route Railroad.

Are you brave enough to walk this iconic bridge?

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