Glamptuary Review - Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE ZIPLINING, WHITE-WATER RAFTING IN THE ROYAL GORGE, A STAY IN A RIVERSIDE YURT, AND CELEBRATING 7 YEARS OF MARRIAGE - GLAMPTUARY STYLE.
Our zipline guides helped us celebrate our wedding anniversary at Royal Gorge Zipline Tours
Happy Wedding Anniversary Christina! Thanks for hangin’ around the last 7 years.
On a serious note - I couldn’t ask for a better partner in life, and our Glamptuary trips. Thanks for all your support - couldn’t do any of this without you.
Adventure has always been a part of our marriage, and at Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals - adventure is at the heart of everything you can do and see while visiting one of the many properties they own.
Colorado native Ty Seufer, who’s been leading a movement for years in central Colorado built on adventure travel and eco-friendly structures, has constructed a winning combination of glamping, adventure experiences, entertainment and a bar+grill at Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals.
Ty Seufer - Source - Royal Gorge Ranch and Resort
There are all types of adventures you can partake in for all skill levels (and risk tolerances).
Traveling with the family? No problem - as long as the kiddos are over 10 years old and adventurous. Meeting up with friends or on a romantic getaway with your partner for say…a wedding anniversary? This place is perfect.
And when you’re done challenging yourself physically with white-water rafting, ziplining, or hiking along the Arkansas River; you can stop in to the Whitewater Bar & Grill (also owned by Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals) for some great food and plenty of entertainment which includes: axe throwing, corn hole, horseshoes, a playground with climbing structures for young children, and a full-size beach volleyball court.
Location - Whitewater Bar and Grill
Our adventure began by arriving to our Riverside Yurt located about 3 minutes away from Whitewater Bar & Grill, and about 15 minutes away from Cañon City, CO.
“Purple Columbine” Yurt - Source - Book Outdoors
Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals have affectionately named each of their yurts, and the names are based off the striking colors they chose to paint the yurts in. Ours was called Purple Columbine.
Some other yurt names included Grey Granite, Yellow Sunshine, and Lime Moss. Luckily, the location they created and the experiences they designed are far superior to their abilities in naming yurts.
Royal Gorge Yurts along the Arkansas River - Source - Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals
We realized quickly upon entering our yurt that the interior design was not meant to inspire someone to stay inside. This is what I would call a high-end basecamp design. On the main floor there was a queen bed, a small table and chairs, bedside tables with lamps, a bean bag, an empty Yeti cooler, and a Keurig coffeemaker. No glasses. No coffee to make to put in said glasses. And…there was also a loft with another queen bed.
The real beauty, at least in the yurt village, lies outside the front door…
Simply put, this is basic glamping…and for a place that focuses on the experiential side of things, the yurt is actually designed very well. It’s a place to store your things, and get a good night’s rest for all the fun to be had outside.
After stowing our gear we promptly headed into town to pick up some supplies. Cañon City is conveniently located 15 minutes away and after we completed this errand…it was time to explore.
We found a great trailhead steps away from our yurt that led us down a beautiful path alongside the Arkansas River.
Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals = Location, Location, Location.
It’s gorgeous.
After taking in the view from the hike, we made our way back to our yurt to eat, sit by the fire, and enjoy the river as the sun set.
We woke up feeling refreshed and excited for our white-water rafting adventure we had planned.
The weather was gorgeous and the Arkansas River was raging due to the enormous amount of rainfall Colorado received in the month of May (4th highest on record).
We arrived at the Whitewater Bar & Grill, which also serves as headquarters for Rafting and Ziplining check-in offices. The water temps of the Arkansas River hovered at around 50 degrees…so we got geared up in wet suits, rain jackets, and all the protective gear one wants when tackling Class 4+ rapids.
After a brief (and thorough) safety meeting - we boarded our raft for a 5 hour/20 mile float down the Arkansas River. It was a mix of lazy waters and Class 4+ rapids.
I tried to take pics and video, and also be a contributing member of the boat. Paddling often took precedence over photos. I even rescued a fallen boat-mate who went overboard after getting slammed by the rapids. I won’t call out WHO fell out of the boat…but I will say it wasn’t me and it wasn’t Christina. They were sitting in front of me though…
After surviving the Arkansas River, we enjoyed an amazing lunch prepared by the very people we trusted our lives with - our rafting guides.
Royal Gorge Rafting Tours is a top notch operation. The gear was A+ and clean. The raft guides were fun and provided a great experience, while educating us about the Royal Gorge during calm waters. We felt safe and challenged during our adventure. We’d like to thank Luke for being an awesome guide (and cook).
On the bus ride back to basecamp, our boat-mate who went swimming in the river signed the bus, as is the tradition at Royal Gorge Rafting Tours.
Being on the river all day took a lot out of us. Knowing we had a Zipline Adventure in our future the following day, we went to bed early.
We awoke the next day a little sore, but happy because the fun wasn’t over. AND…it was also our 7-Year Wedding Anniversary.
From the dance floor at our wedding - 6/11/16
We definitely march to the beat of our own drum in our marriage, and celebrating our anniversary on a raft…or suspended hundreds of feet in the air…is par for the course.
After some breakfast, we headed back to the Whitewater Bar & Grill to gear up for our Zipline Adventure.
We met our guides Siobhan and Hudson, who made sure we had the proper gear and safety info. Then we traversed a Zipline Course comprised of 9 different lines, each increasing in speed and distance as we progressed.
In true wedding anniversary fashion…our last zipline was a “Dual Zipline” designed for racing. Of course, I said that regardless of who finishes first, we’ve both already won with our marriage. (Cue cheesy music).
Thanks for taking the ride with me all these years Christina!
After we turned our gear in, we headed north out of Cañon City back to Denver, CO. Our Glamptuary visit to Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals was a success from start to finish. Thanks to all of the staff and guides who helped to make our wedding anniversary special, and our Glamptuary visit memorable.
If you’re looking for an adventure-filled glamping vacation, definitely check this place out.
Safe travels everyone!
Booking: Directly on the Royal Gorge Vacation Rentals Website
Nearest Major Airport: Denver International Airport
Nearest Regional Airport: Pueblo Memorial Airport
Drive times: 1 hour from Pueblo Memorial Airport, 2 hour drive from Downtown Denver, 2.5 hour drive from Denver International Airport.
Nearest town is Cañon City, CO- 12.2 miles away (16 minute drive).
Nearest hospital - Centura St. Thomas More Hospital - 12.7 miles away (18 minute drive).
Paved road access, groomed and dirt/rock roads inside the property.
No meals are provided unless part of an adventure experience.
General Store on site - check hours of operation.
Keurig Coffee-maker and Yeti Cooler provided in yurts.
Each rental comes with patio furniture, gas grill and gas fire pit.
Full bathrooms are located in a semi-private communal bathhouse located within a 3 minute walk from the yurts.
No towels or toiletries provided.
No Wi-Fi.
Dog-friendly.
Family-friendly.
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