Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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NATURAL BRIDGES NATIONAL MONUMENT
60 miles NW of Bluff, 360 miles south of Salt Lake City
Utah's first National Park Service area—and the world's first “International Dark Sky
Park”—Natural Bridges was designated primarily to show off and protect its three out-
standing natural rock bridges, carved by streams and other forms of erosion beginning
some 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. You can see the bridges from roadside viewpoints, take
individual hikes to each one, or hike a loop trail that connects all three.
Giant
Sipapu Bridge
is considered a “mature” bridge. It's 220 feet high, with a span
of 268 feet, and is believed to be the second-largest natural bridge in the world, after
Rainbow Bridge in nearby Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
Owachomo Bridge,
which appears to be on the brink of collapse (then again, it could stand for centuries), is
the smallest of the three at 106 feet high, with a span of 180 feet.
Kachina Bridge,
210
feet high, with a span of 204 feet, is the thickest of the monument's bridges, at 93 feet.
All three bridges were given Hopi names: Sipapu means the “gateway to the spirit world”
in Hopi legend; Owachomo is Hopi for “rock mound,” so called for a rounded sandstone
formation atop one side of the bridge; and Kachina was given its name because rock art
on the bridge resembles decorations found on traditional Hopi kachina dolls.
The monument also offers a short walk to an overlook where you can see a prehistoric
cliff dwelling.
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ESSENTIALS
Natural Bridges National Monument is about 40 miles west of Blanding, 60 miles north-
west of Bluff, 43 miles north of Mexican Hat, and about 50 miles east of Glen Canyon
National Recreation Area's Hite or Halls Crossing marinas.
GETTING THERE
The national monument is located in southeast Utah, off scenic
Utah 95 via Utah 275. From Monument Valley, follow US 163 north to Utah 261 (just
past Mexican Hat); at Utah 95, go west to Utah 275 and the Monument. Beware,
though—Utah 261, although a very pretty drive, has 3 miles with 10% grades and
numerous steep switchbacks. It's not recommended for motor homes, those towing trail-
ers, or anyone who's afraid of heights. The less adventurous and RV-bound should stick
to approaching from the east, via Utah 95.
Take note:
Make sure you have enough fuel for the trip to Natural Bridges; the closest
gas stations are at least 40 miles away, in Mexican Hat or Blanding. In fact, there are no
services of any kind within 40 miles of the monument.
INFORMATION/VISITOR CENTER
For a park brochure and other information,
contact
Natural Bridges National Monument,
HC 60 Box 1, Lake Powell, UT 84533
(
&
435/692-1234;
www.nps.gov/nabr).
A
visitor center
at the park entrance is open daily from 8am to 5pm with some sea-
sonal variations, and closed New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It has exhib-
its and a video program on bridge formation, the human history of the area, and the
monument's plants and wildlife. Rangers are available to advise you about hiking trails
and scheduled activities. The visitor center is the only place in the monument where you
can get drinking water.
