Royal Gorge

Last I knew the bridge was closed due to fire

You must pay $$$ to get into the park to do or see anything. You can see a distant view of the bridge from a couple of locations on Hwy 50. You can also ride a train from Canon City to the Gorge and back, with or without dinner. That takes a couple of hours or so and $$$.

Keep Colorado green....bring money!

I think the locals call it the Royal Gouge

We were there last summer. I think the admission gate is before the bridge. You can probably visit the gift shop in the visitor center without having to pay admission. Probably not worth the trip if you won't be spending anymore than an hour or so there. The fire was several years ago, and just about everything has been rebuilt.

Admission fee is $27/22 adult/child. And you must pay to go to the bridge.

Only thing about any towing issue I remember on that route was Poncha Pass just south of Poncha Springs. And that was an easy one pulling my 35’ 5er behind a diesel. Your F150 may be revving a little but I don’t think you will have a problem.

The bridge fire was in 2013 and it re-opened in 2015. More recently, some T-Rex feature they had caught fire but I don't think it effected much.

I took my wife and daughter there while on leave from Iraq in 2005 but my daughter was 1 at the time. We plan to go there again in July but know it's expensive for what it is.

They gave military discount to both my husband and me. He was the only veteran. Helped a little.

Here's the ticket price information and what they include:

http://royalgorgebridge.com/about-the-park/ticket-prices/

One thing.... you need a ticket to walk the bridge.

Last time I went it was free. Even got a picture of the No Fishing from Bridge sign in the middle of the bridge. Of course it was 1975 and again in 1978 that I was there.

Bridge question has been answered, here's route question response.

The drive you have planned is a wonderful drive. CO 17 up the San Luis Valley is very straight, but interesting (IMO), as one gets to see the transition from high desert to mountain valley very subtly.

Up and over Poncha Pass, not a difficult pass at all; a bit curvy on the way down the north side of the pass, but it's a good 3 lane road. US 50 from Salida runs along the Arkansas River, and there's a goodly amount of twisties there, but it's not difficult at all, just take your time as you would with any type of canyon driving. Once you get out in the flats and the intersection with CO 115, it's smooth sailing all the way to the Springs, very scenic drive. Interesting sidebar - a LOT of the land on the east side of CO 115 is part of Fort Carson Military Base. It's a huge facility.