When you enter the depot, on your left will be the ticket windows, where you will pick up your physical boarding passes.
**PLEASE NOTE: You must pick up your physical boarding passes prior to departure.**
We recommend arriving an hour early to allow time to pick up your tickets.
The Royal Gorge Region is just 2 hours south of Denver and 45 minutes southwest of Colorado Springs. Home to a number of world-class activities and attractions, including the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and the Royal Bridge & Park, it is one of Colorado’s top destinations for travelers from around the world.
The rushing Arkansas River cuts through the 1,200-foot Royal Gorge, making for stunning views you’ll find no where else in the world. Thanks to three million years of mother nature’s handiwork, this beautifully carved sheer rock-wall canyon is as deep as the Eiffel Tower is tall.
The Royal Gorge is known as the banana belt of Colorado, so it’s no surprise that farming, ranching and grape-growing thrive here, as well as year-round recreation and all-around Rocky Mountain adventuring. Colorado’s best white water rafting, hiking, biking, climbing and camping are on offer virtually all year in our Rocky Mountain town.
The Historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad is located in west Cañon City at the Santa Fe Depot. Take Royal Gorge Blvd. (HWY 50) to the west end of town and turn south on 3rd. Street.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad is located one block south of Highway 50 & 3rd Street. Turn south at the traffic light at 3rd Street, cross the tracks and turn left towards the Santa Fe Depot. There is free parking by the Depot. Print the map below to get to the Royal Gorge boarding area.
The Royal Gorge Bridge is just 12 miles from the Royal Gorge Route.
Driving from Denver to the Royal Gorge:
The trip will take approximately two hours depending on traffic. Take Interstate 25 south to Exit 135 – South Academy Blvd. Turn right (west) and take South Academy for approximately 2 miles. Take a left on the ramp to CO Highway 115 South. Continue to follow CO-115 South for approximately 43-miles to Hwy 50. Merge onto US-50 westbound (at this point, you are approximately 11 miles from the Depot). Follow Highway 50 all the way through Cañon City to 3rd Street. Turn South on 3rd Street (at the traffic light) and this will bring you to the Santa Fe Depot.
Driving from Colorado Springs to the Royal Gorge:
The trip will take approximately one hour depending on traffic. Take CO-115 South for approximately 43-miles to Hwy 50. Merge onto US-50 westbound (at this point, you are approximately 11 miles from the Depot). Follow Highway 50 all the way through Cañon City to 3rd Street. Turn South on 3rd Street (at the traffic light) and this will bring you to the Santa Fe Depot.
Driving from Colorado Springs to the Royal Gorge:
Follow Highway 50 East to Cañon City. From Pueblo, follow Highway 50 West to Cañon City.
Approximate Mileage From Cañon City & the Royal Gorge Region:
Only one bottle of water per passenger is allowed.
Yes! There are several!
We accept cash and physical credit or debit cards. Tap-to-pay is unavailable due to limited connectivity along the Royal Gorge.
The total ride is approximately 2 hours for the daytime departures. Specialty trains may be shorter or longer, depending on the event.
Yes! The train stops at the halfway point and at the historic Hanging Bridge, where Theodore Roosevelt famously noted that the beauty of the Royal Gorge “bankrupts the English language.” Any additional stops along the route are brief operational pauses, giving you the perfect chance to step onto the open-air car for some gorgeous photos!
The seating assignments are computer generated automatically by our ticketing system. However, the open-air cars are available to all passengers throughout the entire ride.
No, you are more than welcome to enjoy the view from the open-air car and then order your meal at your leisure!
Our staff ride on every railcar to support your safety and comfort throughout your journey. For everyone’s safety, please follow these guidelines while aboard:
Stay at Royal Gorge Route Inns. Our inns keep you close to the historic Santa Fe Depot in Cañon City, so getting to your train is easy and stress-free.
Onboard Dining at 403 Grill
Our 403 Grill is a casual affair, offering a full menu of scratch-made sandwiches, salads and burgers, as well as vegetarian and gluten-free dishes. A full bar featuring specialty cocktails, outstanding wines and microbrews is open throughout each journey. With the exception of water bottles or food and beverages purchased at the Santa Fe Depot, no food or drink may be brought aboard the train.
Know Before Boarding
Our staff will be present on each railcar to support your safety and comfort throughout your journey. For everyone’s safety, guests must adhere to the following at all times while aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad:
Pet Policy
Animals are not allowed on the train. We are a licensed restaurant and only certified, licensed service dogs will be allowed to board the train. Emotional support animals of any type are not allowed on the train.
Dress for the Journey
We suggest casual to dressy, depending on your occasion. The Royal Gorge Route Railroad offers many photographic vistas, so many of our guests dress for memorable photos to commemorate the journey. For safety reasons, in all classes of service, please select comfortable shoes that remain on your feet throughout the trip.
Vista Dome, Deluxe and Coach
8:15 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
11:00 AM
Vista Dome, Deluxe and Coach
11:30 AM
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
2:30 PM
Vista Dome, Deluxe and Coach
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
3:30 PM
5:30 PM
Vista Dome, Deluxe and Coach
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
9:30 PM
Hop aboard the Royal Gorge Route Railroad and experience a one-of-a-kind adventure through the Royal Gorge and Colorado Rockies. Departing daily from the Santa Fe Depot in Canon City.
