Why the Jeep Tour Should Come First
Yes, the Royal Gorge Jeep tour is one of the best things you can do here with kids, and if you take the 8:30 AM departure, your family has the whole afternoon still ahead of you. Colorado Jeep Tours runs guide-led, off-road tours from Cañon City twice daily, and the morning slot is what makes a full day possible: tour first, then the bridge park, then whatever else your group has energy for. Most families fit two or three experiences into a single day without feeling rushed.
Why the Jeep Tour Works So Well for Kids
The Royal Gorge Half Day runs 3.5 hours in open-air Jeeps with airbag suspension — smooth enough for young kids, exciting enough that older ones stay engaged the whole time. The guides know how to read a group: they slow down for the right details, and with kids in the Jeep, those details tend to be the dinosaur tracks pressed into the bedrock on the return route, the canyon geology explained in a way kids actually follow, the view from Fremont Peak stretching from Pikes Peak to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
The tour also crosses the Royal Gorge Bridge, 1,260 feet long and suspended 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River. Colorado Jeep Tours is the only outside concessionaire permitted to drive across it – there is no other way to experience the bridge from a Jeep.
Guests who book directly at coloradojeeptours.com receive a complimentary Royal Gorge Bridge and Park ticket with their tour, currently valued at $39.95.
What to Do After the Tour: The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
With your included ticket, the afternoon opens up. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park sits at the canyon rim and includes the bridge walkway, a gondola ride over the gorge, the Visitor Center, a theater, and several hiking trails with canyon views. Families who take the morning tour typically have a full hour or two at the park before moving on to whatever else is on the day. The gondola ride is a particular favorite with younger kids, especially after the Jeep tour has already shown them the gorge from the rim.
Add-Ons That Pair Well With a Family Day
Colorado Jeep Tours offers packages that combine the guided tour with other Royal Gorge experiences:
Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River puts families at river level in the same canyon the Jeep tour introduced from above: a completely different perspective on the same landscape, and one of the most memorable things older kids consistently mention.
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad departs from Cañon City and travels along the river through the gorge. Families who take it after the Jeep tour often say the guide’s earlier context made the train ride significantly richer for their kids.
The morning Jeep tour is the piece that makes everything else in the day land. Book the Royal Gorge Half Day or call 719.275.6339 to reserve your spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Royal Gorge Jeep tour good for young kids? Yes. Open-air Jeeps with airbag suspension accommodate most ages and abilities, including young children. Dogs are welcome too. No hiking is required at any point on the tour.
How long is the Royal Gorge Jeep tour? The Royal Gorge Half Day runs 3.5 hours. The Full Day option combining Royal Gorge and Red Canyon runs 7.5 hours with lunch.
Do I need to book in advance for a family group? Yes. Tours depart twice daily and fill quickly in summer. Booking direct at coloradojeeptours.com also includes the complimentary Bridge and Park ticket.
Is the Royal Gorge a good day trip from Colorado Springs with kids? Yes. Cañon City is approximately 45 minutes from Colorado Springs, making it one of the most accessible full-day family adventures in the region. The morning Jeep tour at 8:30am puts families back in the afternoon with plenty of time to visit the bridge park and add a second activity.
Is the Royal Gorge Bridge ticket included with the Jeep tour? It is included with a direct booking through coloradojeeptours.com, currently valued at $39.95.
What should kids wear on the Jeep tour? Comfortable layers work well as mornings in the canyon can be cool even in summer. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Sunscreen and a hat are useful for the open-air sections.