Natural Bridges National Monument, the first National Park Service unit established in Utah, encompasses 7,636.49 acres. The pinyon and juniper covered mesa is bisected by deep canyons, exposing the Permian Age Cedar Mesa sandstone. Where meandering streams cut through sandstone walls, three large natural bridges formed. Sipapu and Kachina Bridges are the world's second and third largest natural bridges. Owachomo, while smaller, is only nine feet thick.
General Information
Rates & Fees
- $6.00 per vehicle and $3.00 per individual.
- Golden Eagle, Age, and Access passes accepted and available.
- Annual passes for Natural Bridges, Canyonlands, and Arches are accepted and available for $15.00.
Seasons / Hours
The Monument is open every day of the year. The visitor center closes for major holidays during winter months. The nine mile scenic drive is open every day from early morning until about 30 minutes past sunset.
Visitor Center
- Hours: Summer: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Early spring and late fall: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Winter: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
- Rest rooms and water are available 24 hours a day. Water is not available elsewhere in the Monument.
Facilities/Features
Programs & Events
Visitor center has exhibits, an audiovisual program, books, maps and videos for sale. Rangers are on duty to answer questions and collect entry fees. Informal interpretive programs may be given on the patio during peak season.
Ranger Nature Tours
Spring, summer and fall, evening ranger programs may be presented in the campground amphitheater, one or more nights each week with varying schedules and topics. Guided walks and visitor center patio talks may be offered. During winter due to limited staffing and visitation, no special programs are presented. A six minute slide program is shown at the visitor center throughout the year.
- A Junior Ranger Program is available, with an eight page "Kids Newspaper" full of stories, puzzles, games, and activities. Badges are awarded to children who finish the required number of activities for their age group.
Food/Supplies
None are available at the Monument. Gasoline, groceries and lodging is available 20 miles west at Fry Canyon, 40 miles east at Blanding and 40 miles south in Mexican Hat.
Accessibility
The visitor center and rest rooms are accessible to all persons. The campground has no designated site for disabled persons, but it 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.
Rules, Regulations, Precautions
It is the visitor's responsibility to know and obey park rules. Regulations are designed for visitors' protection and to protect natural resources.
- Hiking is restricted to trails, wash bottoms and slickrock areas.
- Pets and bikes are not permitted on any trail or off-road area.
- Wood collecting for campfires is prohibited.
- Walking or climbing on the bridges is prohibited.
Precautions
- Hike with someone else and / or let someone know your intended route and estimated time of return.
- Carry a map.
- Thunderstorms may occur throughout the year. They are especially common in July and August. Lightning is a hazard at overlooks and on high exposed slickrock. Flash floods occur in the canyon bottoms. Watch the weather and be prepared to avoid these areas.
- Always carry water. One gallon per person per day is recommended.
- Summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and use sunscreen on exposed skin.
- Winter can bring snow and sub-zero temperatures. Watch for ice on rocks and trails. Wear wool or synthetic fibers in multiple layers to allow easy temperature regulation and avoid sweating. Avoid alcohol and caffeine and bring plenty of water. Stay dry.
- Do not climb on the bridges. It is dangerous and illegal.
- The Cedar Mesa Sandstone is weak and breaks easily. Technical rock climbing is prohibited. Any climbing or scrambling is dangerous.
- Plan to be out of the canyon by dark. Overnight camping in the Monument is allowed only in the campground.
- Hikers sometimes make a wrong turn under Kachina bridge and head down White Canyon out of the Monument. Watch the trail markers carefully in that area.
