These 3 Colorado Bridges Make Most People Really Nervous

The Rocky Mountains of Colorado are quite the spectacle to behold. However, getting up into the mountains sometimes requires crossing a bridge or two that may have been around since your grandpa was a child. Some can be a little scary to cross due to both elevation and age.

Read More: Colorado's Windy Weather: Powerful Gusts & Scary Record Speeds

Today, we're taking a look at some of Colorado's scariest bridges. Our tour will include bridges from around the state, and further scrolling will reveal bridges on the National Registry of Historic Places, and some 'gone but not forgotten' bridges right here in Grand Junction.

Colorado's Royal Gorge Bridge (Cañon City)

Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge is just one of those must-see landmarks in the Centennial State, even though it may terrify some to walk across it. The bridge sits over 950 feet above the Arkansas River. Windy days can make the bridge and its wooden planks sway just a bit, which causes lots of people to find Jesus while enjoying the view.

To look straight down over the edge often proves even the bravest of visitors can be made uneasy by the height of this engineering marvel. Let’s take a closer look at facts you may not know about the Royal Gorge Bridge near Canon City.

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Colorado's Red Cliff Bridge

Following the Royal Gorge Bridge on the list of 'scariest' crossings in Colorado might be the arched cantilevered mountain bridge over Highway 24 between Minturn and Leadville. The bridge is one of only two steel arch bridges in our state and sits about 200 feet up from the ground. This is another bridge that can feel scary to cross in high winds.

Read More: A Trip Over Colorado’s Teller Divide is Equally Gorgeous + Scary.

What About Colorado's Hanging Railroad Bridge?

While the list of bridges that make people nervous in Colorado may be rather lengthy depending on who you ask, one worth mentioning is the Royal Gorge Route Railroad over the Arkansas River. This bridge is located underneath the mighty Royal Gorge Bridge and crosses just over the river from a hanging suspension bolted right into the side of a cliff. Yikes!

The hanging bridge was built for the railroad in 1879 and is only accessible by riding this scenic train which boards passengers in Canon City.