Natural Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument has some of the finest ancient stone architecture in the southwest. The monument is located in southeast Utah on a pinyon-juniper covered mesa bisected by deep canyons of Cedar Mesa Sandstone. Where meandering streams cut through the canyon walls, three natural bridges were formed - Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu.

At an elevation of 6,500 feet above sea level, the Monument is home to stands of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. Natural Bridges NP was established in 1908, making it the oldest National Park Service site in Utah.

Most visitors spend at least two to three hours exploring Natural Bridges. Plan on stopping at the visitor center and touring the scenic drive, with stops at each overlook to view the bridges. Several short hikes allow closer inspection of these remarkable formations, as well as Horsecollar Ruin.

The 8.6-mile loop trail provides visitors with more time the opportunity to experience the beauty of White Canyon while hiking to all three bridges.

While many park features are visible from overlooks along the scenic drive, the true beauty of Natural Bridges lies just a short walk away from the pavement. Moderate hiking trails lead from overlooks to the base of each natural bridge. All are less than 1.5 miles round-trip, with the trail to Owachomo being the shortest and easiest (.5 mile round-trip). All of the trails have uneven stone steps. The trails to Kachina and Sipapu require climbing steep sections of rock with handrails and ladders.

The Loop Hikes

A primitive trail system connects all three bridges and allows visitors to spend most of a day exploring White Canyon. The full loop (to visit every bridge) is roughly 8.5 miles long and requires 5 or 6 hours to complete. Hiking between only two of the three bridges reduces the mileage to about 5.5 miles and the time needed to about 3 or 4 hours.

The loop hikes are considered strenuous since they require ascents and descents of up to 500 vertical feet and elevations range from 6,000 to 6,500 feet above sea level. During winter, trails can be hazardous due to accumulations of ice and snow, especially the sections entering/exiting the canyon at Sipapu and Kachina Bridges.

Operating Hours, Seasons
Natural Bridges is open year-round. The scenic drive is open every day from early morning until about 30 minutes past sunset.

Getting There

Car - The entrance to Natural Bridges is at the end of Highway 275, which is roughly 35 miles west of Blanding on Highway 95. Driving time is roughly 45 minutes.

Bus - Commerical bus and van shuttles service nearby towns. There is no bus service to the monument itself.

Public Transportation - There is no public transportation to Natural Bridges.

Weather & Climate

Summer highs may exceed 100 Degrees Fahrenheit, with lows in the 60's. Fall and Spring temperatures are milder, with highs in the 70's and 80's. Winter temperatures range from highs in the 40's and 50's to lows well below freezing. Snow is usually light to moderate.

Accessibility

The visitor center and restrooms are accessible to all persons. The campground has no designated site for disabled persons but has several sites and one rest room accessible. The three bridge overlook trails are accessible via a concrete sidewalk, however the sidewalk to the Kachina Bridge viewpoint may not be accessible with a standard wheelchair due to its slope.

Getting Around
Visitors usually tour the scenic drive by car or bicycle.

Entrance Fee (subject to change)
Use your National Parks Pass or Golden Pass (Age, Eagle and Access) for park entry!

Individual
$3..........7 Days

Vehicle
$6..........7 Days

Waivers
Entrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose of their visit is educational rather than recreational.

Local Passport

Southeast Utah Group
$25....................Annual
Good for entrance to Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges.

Natural Bridges Visitor Center
Open All Year 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Phone (435)692-1234

Location - The turnoff to Natural Bridges is on Highway 95, 35 miles west of Blanding or 93 miles east of Hanksville. Highway 275 ends at the monument boundary.

Closures - Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25th, and January 1st.

Available Facilities - Restrooms, drinking water.

The 13-site campground is open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Sites include grills and picnic tables, and will accommodate vehicles up to 26 feet long. The fee is $10 per night. There is no site for large groups. The campground usually fills by early afternoon from early March through late October. Visitor center staff can give directions to nearby alternate camping areas.