Royal Gorge, Granite canyon on Arkansas River in Colorado, US.

Royal Gorge is a canyon of the Arkansas River west of Cañon City, Colorado, cut through granite between Fremont Peak and YMCA Mountain. It reaches 1,250 feet deep and narrows to 50 feet at the river, widening to 300 feet at the rim. A ledge runs along the left wall above the dark blue-green water.

The Arkansas River carved through granite over millions of years to form this deep chasm. Native peoples inhabited the region long before European settlement.

The Royal Gorge Whitewater Festival brings together kayakers and paddleboarders each July for competitions along the rushing Arkansas River waters.

The area is easily reached from Canon City and offers several ways to explore it. Visitors can hike, paddle the river, or take the scenic railroad to see the landscape.

The Royal Gorge Bridge, completed in 1929, stands 955 feet (291 m) above the Arkansas River and held the record as the world's highest bridge until 2001. It is owned by the City of Cañon City and leased to a Dallas-based company since 1947. The bridge survived the June 2013 wildfire with only scorched planks, while 48 of 52 park buildings were destroyed.