Cañon City, CO
Photo by mark byzewski, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
About Royal Gorge Route Railroad
A 1950s‑era domeliner departs daily from the Cañon City Santa Fe Depot and travels a two‑hour excursion through the Royal Gorge, following the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Tennessee Pass Subdivision. The train weaves along the Arkansas River, revealing the steep‑walled canyon’s 1,000‑foot depth and six‑mile length while showcasing the scenery of the former Leadville mining corridor.
At a Glance
Verified daily- Type
- Heritage railroad & tourist attraction
- Location
- Cañon City, CO
- Rating
- 4.4 ★ 9,392 Google reviews
Upcoming Events
No ticketed events are currently listed for Royal Gorge Route Railroad. Many heritage operators publish schedules seasonally or run on regular open hours instead of dated events.
Check the operator’s website for current hours and special runs, or subscribe to event alerts and we’ll email you when something is scheduled.
Plan Your Visit
- Parking
- Free lot · street parking
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance · accessible restroom · accessible parking
- Hours
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMTuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMWednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMThursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PMFriday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PMSaturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PMSunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Find the Depot
The Trains
The Royal Gorge Route Railroad operates a 1950s‑era domeliner train that departs from the Cañon City Santa Fe Depot and travels through the Royal Gorge on the former Denver and Rio Grande Western Tennessee Pass Subdivision main line. The excursion follows the historic corridor between Cañon City and the gorge’s western portal, covering the section of track that once carried the D&RG Western narrow‑gauge line. No additional locomotive numbers, car designations, or gauge measurements appear in the available sources.
History
See full history
The railroad’s origins begin on April 19 1878, when a construction crew assembled by the Santa Fe’s proxy Cañon City and San Juan Railroad started grading a line just west of Cañon City at the mouth of the Royal Gorge. A lease of the Denver and Rio Grande (D&RG) tracks, equipment, buildings and employees to the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway took effect on December 13 1878, giving the Santa Fe access to Denver and prompting a costly dispute. The United States Supreme Court awarded primary construction rights to the D&RG on April 21 1879, and a local injunction on June 10 1879 restrained the Santa Fe from operating on Rio Grande track, intensifying the conflict. The prolonged litigation ended with the “Treaty of Boston” signed on March 27 1880, which restored the D&RG’s ownership of the gorge line after the two railroads settled out of court.
Around the Depot
Colorado makes it easy to ride more than one line around the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. The Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad lies about 22 mi off, the Pikes Peak Cog Railway roughly 33 mi away, and the Pueblo Railway Museum about 36 mi out.
Getting There & Staying Nearby
Optional trip extras from our travel partners.
Rent a Car
Most heritage railroads sit well off the interstate. Picking up a rental at the nearest airport is usually the easiest way in.
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Tours & Activities near Cañon City
Tours
Guided tours, day trips, and things to do around the area, bookable in advance through Viator.
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