Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridges protects some of the finest examples of ancient stone architecture in the southwest. Located on a tree-covered mesa cut by deep sandstone canyons, three natural bridges formed where meandering streams eroded the canyon walls. The bridges are named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu. At 6,500 feet above sea level, Natural Bridges is home to a variety of plants and animals. Plants range from the fragile cryptobiotic soil crusts to remnant stands of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. Natural Bridges was established in 1908, making it the oldest National Park Service site in Utah.
History & Culture
Repeatedly occupied and abandoned during prehistoric times, Natural Bridges was first used during the Archaic period, from 7000 B.C. to A.D. 500. Only the rock art and stone tools left by hunter-gatherer groups reveal that humans lived here then. Around A.D. 700, ancestors of modern Puebloan people moved into the area to farm but later left as the environment changed. more**
Driving Directions
Plane - Commercial airlines serve Cortez, CO, Grand Junction, CO, Salt Lake City, UT as well as other cities in the southwest.
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.
For Visitors...
The thing to do at Natural Bridges National Monument is hiking. Visitors taking a southeast Utah vacation can find camping spots here. There's a picnic area.Find other southeast Utah area lakes and vacation ideas or return to the home page.