I walked across that bridge almost 30 years ago at the age of 15. Despite being in numerous high places before with similar crazy views, I learned that day waking across that bridge with a car driving across, that I’m deathly afraid of heights and I hate that bridge!

My wife and visited there a few years back and thoroughly enjoyed it. I tend to see things differently than most. Who amazed me were not the people that walked or rode over the gorge. I was impressed at the amazing people that constructed and installed this infrastructure.

I was last at the Royal Gorge in 1975. It's changed a lot since then. There were no rides, swings, or platforms at that time. Also, I have "rafted" down the Arkansas river under this bridge in the mid 1980's. Now that was an adventure.

Our young family drove across that bridge back in 1978. We still have a photograph of the "No Fishing from Bridge" sign at the middle of the bridge. No zip lines back then.

Brings back a lot of memories. While on a trip from Alabama to Washington State, my young wife and I walked across the bridge. This was 1962 and we just celebrated our 61 anniversary.

I was there as a kid and i am now 57. Just watching this video makes my palms sweat-😳😲 I remember as a kid being there and being scared to death as we walked onto the bridge. It gave me the heebee geebees.

I'm so happy you reacted the way you did! Our parents took us there in the 70's and I was terrified! My dad drove across it and my mom walked me across those creaking boards crying my eyes out! LOL

Dude! Props to you for going over the bridge and riding the "cable coffin"! I'm the kind of idiot that would do the zip line over it. A little story. My Dad worked for Southern Pacific as a ticket clerk. Our family went to Illinois from Nevada on the train, it could have been on the way back. I was all of 3 or 4 yrs old. I distinctly remember the train stopped in the Royal Gorge, I have no idea why, and I remember looking up at the bridge. Man, thanks for taking me back there! I had no clue to the history! Again, mad props to you for going over the gorge twice! Take it from me your kids will appreciate all the places you have taken them. My mom and dad did the same.

When living in Colorado we visited the Gorge. A lot has changed there now but when we visited it was windy and the bridge began to sway and there were many people on their hands and knees crossing the bridge.

That bridge is a spooky crossing, it moves and sways as you drive over it.

That was fun. I was there in 1999 and walked the bridge and rode the vertical train. That was hard enough and I appreciate your apprehension, but there was no way on earth I was riding the gondola. Thanks for taking me back.

I've ridden many of my motorcycles across that bridge, as well as walked across even in the late sixties before they added guy wires to stabilize the bridge. Still enjoy the views to this day!!

My wife and I walked across the bridge during our honeymoon. I think it was the start of my anxiety problems!

Hope there are many more videos by you. This was a real treat. Thank you.

Terror at Royal Gorge - 1972 - I was 16. Walked straight across that dang bridge, right down the middle, turned around and walked back. I was scared to death and said I wont ever do that again. 2016 - 60 years old. I walked across the blame thing again. But this time I hitched a ride back on a golf cart with my eyes closed the whole time. And I will NEVER do that again.

As a resident of Canon City I must say that this gave me some chuckles. I have been across that bridge numerous times and the air tram about 3 times, the Gorge never fails to fill me with awe. I will be going there again for the awesome sunrise service there on Easter 4/17/22.

Now I agree that a ride on the gorge rail line would be a real thrill. Great video History Traveler as usual.

Thanks for sharing this great video on the Royal Gorge. I've visited it several time. During the 30s my mother lived in Colorado Springs and had an aunt who lived in Cañon City, the nearest town to the gorge. The engineering behind the construction of the bridge is amazing.

Thanks for so much history, it’s rare I don’t learn something new.

I grew up there, have walked up the tracks under the bridge fishing several times. You find all the stuff people have dropped, lots of coins.

I stopped by Royal Gorge 4 years ago and had no idea about this history. Thanks for posting!

Hah! I love this guy. I never thought I'd meet anyone more afraid of heights than I am. At six, first trip to gorge, I almost passed out after one step on bridge because I KNEW I was going to fall through the cracks between the boards. Cable coffin, indeed.

I had a Lincoln Limo at one time and drove across the bridge with the family on a vacation. The four kids loved it. Wife, not so much.

We drove across that bridge in 1963 when we moved from Colorado to California. What a thrill that was.

Enjoy watching your videos, nice family you got aswell! May God be with you!

We have a viaduct near my home called Kinzua Viaduct! At one point in time it was the highest in the world! Well a few years back a tornado knocked it down partly! The park service took the remaining part and put a glass floor into it and it can make your knees shake as well lol!

Sadly, thanks to the fire, you missed one of the things I enjoyed the most. The Funicular Railway was a small railway that went to the bottom of the gorge. You could go down and see the Hanging Bridge that the Rio Grande built to allow the railroad to run through the gorge. Also at the bottom, on the far side of the gorge, you can see the remains of the wooden pipe that use to supply Canyon City with water. When you showed the river and railroad while crossing in the gondola, that building and the steps where the observation area from riding the funicular to the bottom.

Impressed with this suspension bridge y'all need to walk across the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, all 5 miles

Great video! Need more videos like this so young kids can watch it and learn from it with no bad words being said.

I’m a subscriber and my goal is to watch all of your videos. I want to thank you for slow panning that doesn’t make me nauseous….and also, no annoying background music that drowns out your voice. You are so interesting to watch. One more thing… thank you for not swearing. You’re awesome. ( side note.. I’m from Penna. and we went to Gettysburg often but still have learned so much from you). Good job all around

I never knew the difference between a gorge and canyon, thank you History Underground!

Oh, this was a hard one to watch - beautiful scenery, but the heights got to me. I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time. Glad you stuck with it and did the Gondola too. :)

Another for the bucket list. That looks awesome.

I enjoyed the Royal Gorge video. A beautiful place . A bit frightening but alot of fun . 👍🤗

I absolutely love your comic commentary! Now I feel the same as you, but you gave me my laugh for the day..😀

Great video pard but scared the daylights out of me with the heights. That is awesome you take your daughter with you. An education she will never get in a classroom. These trips are the building blocks for the rest of her life. I'm mighty proud for you. Stay safe in your travels.

Wow, looks as though I have to make a trip back there. When I was there they didn't have the individual rides, or the swing. Was in the gondola, but they packed so many people in, you couldn't move around. Great place though.

Been there as a young man, my Dad wouldn’t even walk on the bridge. Took about 10 steps and said, “ nope, not for me” Needless to say we didn’t do the Gondola ride either....😃

I had a set of grandparents in Glendale, Ca when I was a kid. We made several driving trips to see them during the summers. Most of our trips were through New Mexico and Arizona, but one was through Colorado and Utah. We took the cog train up Pikes Peak and walked across Royal Gorge bridge. I still remember how small a full size railroad track looked next to the river! No gondola ride for us! This was in the early seventies. Brice Canyon in Utah looked other worldly with its rough, but beautiful terrain. We then met our grandparents in Las Vegas! Was pretty much a wasted stop as kids. My parents were old hands,they went every year and they even eloped to there when they first got married.

glanced through the comments .... hope to be the first to say... this episode of history traveler was... GORGEOUS!!

Discovered your channel recently and binged watched all. Your contentt is insightful, interesting, professionally done. Your passion is evident. THIS video had me laughing so hard! Everything that camenoutnof your mouth was unfiltered and hilarious. You do NOT like heights. Well noted😊

T H U : been there , done that !! My mum was born/raised in Colo.Spgs. visited there in late 60' w/whole family(7) ! I myself lived there summer 99-summer 04 . I MISS that beautiful state 💙

I live in Canon City! I love the gorge. There’s a lot of history here!!!

I'm so laughing at your reactions. Everytime I take out of towers there its fun watching them have your reactions.

The train ride along the river is awesome. You get a different perspective when looking from the bottom up to the top 😊.

Love your videos. Jealous, wish I could do this as history is my absolute passion. You give great presentations and accurate information on all of you subjects. Please keep up the great work.

My family went there in 1965 and it was the most terrifying bridge I've ever walked on - the boards move under your feet when a car goes over the bridge. And it's over 1,000 feet down to the roaring river below but it's so high up you can't even hear the roaring noise of the water. I froze halfway across and one of my family members had to get hold of my hand and guide me across I was so scared.

The Sky Coaster over the gorge, was breathtaking. Me and 2 buddies did that stunt and lived to tell about it.

That swing is a blast! I wouldn’t do it again though 😂

Big Macs have way too much bread, I order mine without the middle bun. The Royal Gorge is a magical place, I would buy a season ticket when I lived in Pueblo and visit quite often.

I live in Colorado with a short driving trip to the Royal Gorge...and am STILL amazed at the view and at times squeemish.

This is a fabulous experience. Train ride down below is wonderful also. Everyone should see this ! Great video. Thanks.

I had to be one of the poor souls zip lining across😂 it ended up be super fun and the view was amazing!

I grew up in Fremont County CO. I miss that place very much

Thats about an hour from where I love...there's a lot of really interesting history here in Colorado, many ghost towns to explore, mines, and beautiful spots. There were even a few German POW camps.

Good job! And not one word of profanity did I hear. Bravo!

Rode on the gondola, tram then, years ago when someone hit the emergency stop. Had to wait for it to stop swinging before they could restart it.

I'm with you JD! I am not fond of heights. When I was a kid, I had no problem going on that zip line or that swing or looking over the bridge rail. That was when I was foolish! 🥴😆

I’ve been a river raft guide down the gorge for many years, you can still see the fighting positions built in stone along the river!

Great video. I have been to the royal gorge a few times and loved it every time. I take it the wind wasn’t blowing when you crossed the bridge. I think you would maybe say say the truck going across wasn’t so bad if it had been. I’m not afraid of heights like that but it is a bit un-nerving when the bridge sways in the wind. I have a suggestion for you, go across the state to Montrose and go to the Black Canyon. It is as spectacular as the royal gorge and you can drive down to the bottom if you want. I used 1st gear all the way down so that I didn’t have to ride the brake the whole time. That was something else but worth it. Take care and safe travels. Love your videos and just discovered you yesterday.

I remember being with a group of tourists and some of them began to cross the bridge and then chickened out. I’m not afraid of heights and loved it!

Ive saved this to my Fav's b/c I love this channel and you, bro .. 🙏💜😧

LOL 😆😆😆 I feel the same way you do on the bridge and that's seeing it through the lense of the camera.

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad may have lost the Royal Gorge Route to the Denver & Rio Grande, but they won Raton Pass.

@8:22 I can feel my own heart stop, and I am sitting on a safe chair.

My family visited there when I was a teenager. We took a ride down into the gorge, and the first thing my father said as we were descending was "What if the cable breaks"!

Haha you make me laugh. Having fun. Love your girls reaction.

I went there in the 60s when there was nothing but just the bridge. The road into it was gravel with just a small gravel parking lot. I think there was maybe 2 or 3 other cars there. The bridge itself was about half as wide as it is now. Just a foot bridge really with only single towers at each end. It was rebuilt I believe in the early 80s to what it is today. Now it's a huge tourist attraction with multiple attractions. I went back in 2000 and didn't even recognize anything about the way it was in the 60s. It is a must see attraction.

Those are people, actual people...I laughed so hard I almost cried! If you haven’t done so, you should visit the Rio Grande Gorge near Taos, NM. There is a bridge you can cross and a road that descends to the bottom. Well worth the trip.

I live about an hour away from the bridge. Whole place has gone through its changes over the years. What’s fun to do as well is take the train under the bridge along the river. So if you ever get a chance do the train. It’s definitely a different kind of view of the bridge.

I was there in vacation with family when I was 8 or 9 years old. (1968-69). I was to scared to walk across the bridge so my uncle had to sit with me. Once I felt that bridge move, it was all over. 😂

I've been to the Royal Gorge twice, you could see through the bridge underneath your feet while walking across the bridge, there was no wooden floor but just a metal crate floor during that time when I went there. The bridge starts moving when a vehicle is going across the bridge and feels like the bridge is gonna flip over. Not for the faint of heart but surely a good experience👍🇺🇸..

I actually visited here back in July with my wife and some friends. Absolute beautiful place.

Back in the late 1970's, my husband and I went to the Royal Gorge. Just a few minutes after we left, a girl jumped off the bridge. Had we waited about 10 minutes, we would have seen it. 😕

Great video - I trekked across it last year and I know exactly what your stomach was doing each time you looked over at the gorge lol. All I could think of if that there were only wooden boards between me and straght down. My grandfather actually worked on the railroad during the depression and cut hair on the side for extra money. Thanks for your videos :)

You have a lot more courage than i did. I didn't get nut maybe 25-20 feet out on the bridge. Just couldn't do the height. Bravo to you!

lots of freight moved on that RR from Provo UT through Price and along I-70 in western Co up along the Arkansas River to Eagle River. Up the Eagle River over Tennessee Pass by Leadville Co and follows the Arkansas River on down . Lots of RR history about the line. Good vid....the last time we made the Swinging Bridge it was closed to vehicle traffic because of high winds. I've walked the bridge before but it was swaying to bad for me.

I walked across it and was so proud of myself for making it across and back. The gaps are there to allow for expansion and contraction. I couldn’t go to the edge without feeling extremely queasy, though.

I hope you rode the Royal Gorge Train. That is fun! I did that with several of my friends couple years ago. They have an open car where you can go and stand and look at the canyon walls and the river. It’s just amazing and beautiful and the train is fun to ride.❤

I know a Canon City resident who after yrs of living there still hasn't visited Royal Gorge Bridge and Park; evidently heights scare him.

Been there a few times but it's been a few years. Do they still have the cog train that goes down? I don't thing they had the open seat ski-lift type rides or the giant swings when we were last there.

When I lived in Colorado in the 50s-60s, we visited here in the early 60s. it was the bridge and the ride to the bottom as the only things there then. I see the wooden road still wobbles as cars come along, and recall the bridge swaying in the wind in the middle bit. A train came along and echoed all along the gorge. The railroads wanted this route back then as the shortest, quickest route from the Rockies to out east in this region to save having to build a railroad around it. Down the road at Canon City, we took a tour of the state prison too.

I just watched this and I am cracking up! I went there as a teenager and loved it. However, I have not visited as an adult. I may have the same reaction as you!

GOOD JOB!! A long time ago i used to work with this guy. He had a buddy that lived out of state. His buddy REALLY wanted to go to Royal Gorge for vacation. They worked to both take there vacations at the same time. So they do all the planning. They get there. And The guy jumps. I don’t know where or how but he jumped. He made such a big deal about how bad he wanted to see the Gorge so he could jump. I mean how selfish this guy was. He could have driven himself there and done it. But yeah. The guy i worked with he came back I would definitely say he had PTSD.

I will be visiting Colorado later this year (2023), Must visit this place!! Alan. U.K.

When I was a kid, on a show called "That's Incredible!", I saw the inventors of bungee jumping jump off that bridge. One came within a hundred feet of the water.

Amazing video...

Walked and drove the bridge all 5 times I’ve visited !

Hi. Great program. Congratulations. The Spanish conquistadors were there long before!

More history then the History Channel thanks.

Thank you love this esp.

I got serious vertigo watching this :-D Great video.

“That’s not incredible that’s just stupid!” Lol 😂

Short story, myself and another deputy were transporting a prisoner from Glenwood Springs to Canyon City State Penitentiary, we drove him across that wood bridge before we turned him over. The other deputy was driving and don't know who was more afraid me or that prisoner. Also this was about 1981 and I don't remember anything else there but the bridge.

Dude you have No since of adventure. I remember when you could take the tramway to the bottom of the gorge by the railroad tracks and look up and what was really cool was when it rained come through.

My stomach is churning watching this like it was in August 1993 when my husband and I were there. I am afraid heights but he wasn’t. So glad we did it but no desire to do it again.

I echo every sentiment dude!!

Not sure if they're still there, but there used to be two signs; one said it was 956 feet down to the river.. the other said "No Fishing"

Went there as a kid in the 1960s. The place was beautiful and the bridge was scary fun. However, the place has now been trashed with a bunch of tourist gimmicks. It has all the charm of a cheap roadside attraction. I don't think I will ever return.

Cable coffin love it !