Florence makes an easy base for the Royal Gorge. The drive from downtown Florence to the Royal Gorge Bridge is about 35 minutes (roughly 21 miles) west on US-50 through Cañon City, and you are back in time for dinner on Main Street.
The Royal Gorge Experience
The Royal Gorge is one of Colorado's most spectacular natural landmarks - a 1,000-foot-deep canyon carved by the Arkansas River over millions of years. The canyon is narrower than the Grand Canyon but arguably more dramatic: sheer granite walls that drop straight to the rushing river below, with the world-famous Royal Gorge Bridge spanning the gap 956 feet overhead.
Rafting the Royal Gorge Section
The Royal Gorge section of the Arkansas River is Colorado's premier whitewater experience. Class III-V rapids through the tightest, deepest section of the canyon make this run a bucket-list experience.
Royal Gorge Rafting offers half-day and full-day trips through the gorge. Trips run from May through September. Book in advance - summer dates sell out weeks ahead.
Ziplining Over the Gorge
If rafting isn't your style, **[Royal Gorge Zipline Tours](https://royalgorgeziplinetours.com)** offers a different kind of thrill: zip lines that span the canyon, giving you a bird's-eye view of the gorge and river far below. The Classic course takes about two hours and is accessible to most fitness levels.
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park
The Royal Gorge Bridge & Park is a separate attraction on the canyon's south rim - a full entertainment complex built around the iconic suspension bridge. While it's more commercial than a backcountry adventure, the views from the bridge are unmatched, and the new Via Ferrata route lets the adventurous descend into the canyon itself.