Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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FEES & REGULATIONS
Entry to the monument is $6 per vehicle or $3 per person
on foot, bicycle, or motorcycle. Regulations are similar to those in most areas adminis-
tered by the National Park Service, with an emphasis on protecting the natural resources.
Be especially careful not to damage any of the fragile archaeological sites in the monu-
ment; climbing on the natural bridges is prohibited. Overnight backpacking is not per-
mitted within the monument, and vehicles may not be left unattended overnight.
Because parking at the overlooks and trail heads is limited, anyone towing trailers or extra
vehicles is asked to leave them at the visitor center parking lot. Pets must be leashed and
are not allowed on trails or in buildings.
RANGER PROGRAMS
Guided hikes and walks, evening campground programs, and
talks at the visitor-center patio are presented from spring through fall. Schedules are
posted at the visitor center.
SEEING THE HIGHLIGHTS
Natural Bridges National Monument probably won't be your major vacation destination,
but you can easily spend a half- or full-day here (or possibly even 2 days). For those who
want to take a quick look and move on to the other, larger national park lands in south-
ern Utah, stop at the visitor center for a brief introduction, and then take the 9-mile
(one-way) loop drive to the various natural bridge overlooks. Those with the time and
the inclination might also take an easy hike down to Owachomo Bridge; it's a half-hour
walk.
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OUTDOOR PURSUITS
Hiking is the number-one activity here. From the trail heads, you can hike separately to
each of the bridges, or start at one and do a loop hike to all three. Be prepared for sum-
mer afternoon thunderstorms, which can cause flash flooding. Although the possibility
of encountering a rattlesnake is very small, you should still watch carefully. During the
hot summers, all hikers should wear hats and other protective clothing, use sunscreen,
and carry a gallon of water per person for all but the shortest walks.
The easiest hike—more of a walk—leads to
Owachomo Bridge
(.4 mile round-trip),
with an elevation gain of 180 feet. Look toward the eastern horizon to see the twin buttes
named Bear's Ears. Allow a half-hour.
The Sipapu and Kachina Bridge trails are both considered moderately strenuous—
allocate about 1 hour for each. On the trek to
Sipapu Bridge,
you'll have a 500-foot
elevation change, climbing two flights of stairs with three ladders and handrails on a 1.2-
mile round-trip trail. This is the steepest trail in the park, and you'll have a splendid view
of the bridge about halfway down. The hike takes about 1 hour.
The 1.4-mile round-trip hike to massive
Kachina Bridge
has a 400-foot elevation
change, descending steep slickrock with handrails. Under the bridge, you'll notice a pile
of rocks that fell in June 1992, slightly enlarging the bridge opening. Allow about 1
hour.
Those planning to hike the
loop to all three bridges
can start at any of the trail
heads, although rangers recommend starting at Owachomo. The round-trip, including
your walk back across the mesa, is 8.6 miles. Although the trails from the rim to the
canyon bottom can be steep, the walk along the bottom is easy.
For a view of an Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwelling take the short
Horsecollar Ruin
Overlook Trail.
This easy, mostly level walk meanders across a mesa to the edge of the
canyon where there is an overlook. The ruin gets its name from the oddly shaped doors
