Natural Bridges National Monument
P.O. Box 1
Lake Powell, UT 84533-0101
(435)692-1234
Prospector Cass Hite came across these perforated rock walls, called natural bridges, when he was exploring White Canyon from his Colorado River placer gold camp in 1883. The nation was then newly eager to discover and protect its natural wonders. In 1904 The National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges, and in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the National Monument. The area was isolated, and until roads were built and then improved, access was difficult.
Size: 7,636 acres.
Ecosystem: High desert pinyon-juniper forest on the plateau; desert riparian along the river.
Features: Three natural sandstone bridges spanning a desert canyon. Several Anasazi ruins are set among cliffs.
Activities: Hiking, Camping, Scenic Driving, Archaeology, Geology
This canyon country is generally arid, but it supports a diversity of plant cover and wildlife. From atop the plateau, where the visitor center and loop road are, you sense this arid character directly. At this elevation the pinyon-juniper forest dominates. Desert shrubs and grasses dominate lower areas. Down in the canyon bottoms, however, where the streams have an influence, you will encounter cottonwood trees and willows. Along the cliffs are Douglas-fir, oak, and maple.
Hiking
As you descend into a canyon you may get glimpses of hanging gardens on shelves in the canyon. The many shelves or benches in the canyon walls result from the different rates of erosion of the different layers of rock. The layers of mudstone and siltstone erode faster than the sandstone, promoting collapse, break up, and removal of the harder sandstone. This creates a stairstep effect of alternate cliffs and benches from mesa top to canyon floor.
You will most likely see only such wildlife as small birds, rodents, and an occasional lizard. Larger animals live here too, such as bobcats, coyotes, and mule deer. Their senses are acute and unless you surprise them, they will detect your presence first and evade you.
Spending a short time in the visitor center before you see the rest of the park can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of this area. In the visitor center are free museum exhibits and a color slide program that present the history of the natural bridges area and sample the park's wildlife and plants. A ranger here can answer your questions, tell you about activities, and help you select trails you might enjoy hiking.
You can walk down into the canyons by the trails near all three bridge overlooks. For a longer trek take a trail between bridges through one of the canyons.
Round trip distance from the trailhead parking areas:
Sipapu Bridge
1.2 mi/1.9 km
500 ft/152 m descent
Strenuous
Stairs, handrails, ladders
1 hour
| Horsecollar Ruin
.6 ml/1 km
Little elevation change
Easy
1/2 hour
| Kachina Bridge
1.5 mi/2.4 km
400 ft/122 m descent
Moderately strenuous
Steep slickrock handrails
1 hour
| Owachomo Bridge
.4 mi/.64 km
180 ft/55m descent
Easy
Uneven terrain
20 minutes
|
Loop trails (round trip distance from parking areas):
Sipapu Bridge
Kachina Bridge
Owachomo Bridge
| | Sipapu Bridge
0
5.6 ml/9 km
8.6 mi/13.8 km
| | Kachina Bridge
5.6 ml/9 km
0
5.4 mi/8.7 km
| | Owachomo Bridge
8.6 mi/13.8 km
5.4 mi/8.7 km
0
|
Camping
The thirteen site campground is open year round on a first come, first served basis. Individual sites will accommodate up to nine persons with a limit of one vehicle per site. There is a twenty-one foot combined length limit for RVs and vehicles with trailers. All sites have a fire grill, tent pad and picnic table; water is available at the visitor center. Firewood gathering is prohibited, campers should bring their own wood or charcoal. Campfire programs may be offered during the summer season. Campers with multiple vehicles, RVs exceeding the length limit, or who arrive late, may use overflow camping outside of the monument.
The camping fee is $5 per night.
Pets are allowed in the campground, but must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets are not allowed on designated trails or in the backcountry.
Mountain Bikes
Mountain bikes are welcome only on paved roads in the monument. Bicycles are classified as vehicles and must abide by vehicle regulations. They are not allowed on trails or off established roads.
Move on to:
Archaeology
Geology
Practicalities
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