General information about the National Monument
Natural Bridges NM is the first NM in Utah. It protects three huge natural bridges in a canyon up to 492ft deep. The bridges were all formed by spring floods, in an otherwise quite dry canyon. The canyon was inhabited by the Anazazi people until 700 years ago. The remains of their dwellings can still be visited.
Number of visitors
Best time to visit: This place is beautiful all year round.
Our visits:
So far 1 visit: November 2009
Entrance fees and opening hours
- 20$/PKW und max. 15 Insassen gültig für 7 Tage
- Covered by the Anual Pass*
- Open 24h all year round.
*The Anual Pass is so to speak the "flat rate" for all Parks managed by the National Park Service. The pass costs a one-time fee of $80 and can be purchased at the entrance to each National Park, National Monument, etc. The pass is valid for 13 months.
Sipapu Bridge
Description:
Height - 220ft
Span - 269ft
Thickness - 52ft
The name is derived from the Hopi word Sipapu. It refers to a symbolic portal from which the first human ancestor emerged.
Kachina Bridge
Description:
Height – 210ft
Span – 203ft
Thickness – 92ft
The bridge was named by surveyor William Douglas, who found petroglyphs of Kachina dancers at the foot of the bridge.
Owachomo Bridge
Description:
Height – 105ft
Span – 180ft
Thickness – 10ft
Owachomo is the Hopi word for stone mound. The bridge was named after the stone formation located at its eastern end.
Our rating: Unfortunately, we had only enough time for a short drive through the park so far. We have thereby we only drove one loop on the Park Drive and looked at the bridges from above from the viewpoints. When our way will lead us in this direction again, we would like to do a hike through the canyon to the bridges. So far, we really liked what we saw.