Hike to All Three Bridges

Natural Bridges National Monument

Related campgrounds: Natural Bridges, Hovenweep

Despite being a National Monument, this park was a complete unknown to us until research started taking place for an upcoming trip to Utah. How this park never landed on our radar until now is a mystery but we want to make sure that it is on yours. Natural Bridges National Monument is a treasure and one of the most unique areas that we've explored to date. Located in southeast Utah, just south of Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument is a group of three rock bridges formed millions of years ago. Sand, silt and mud layered over time by an ancient sea. Colliding plates pushed the layers upward to create the Colorado Plateau. Eventually the Colorado River would carve canyons into the rock and streams from this carved away to create these magnificent bridges. The three arches of the park - Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo - represent different stages of erosion. Kachina Bridge is thicker than the delicately thin arch of Owachomo. This is nature and time on full display. When visiting, one has a number of options to observe and take in the majesty of these bridges. There are overlooks at each bridge for those short on time or not physically abled to hike down the canyon to get closer. For those wanting to hike, there are individual trails from each overlook down under the bridge as well as a 9.8 mile (15.8 km) full loop trail that passes all three natural bridges and two shorter loop trails that connect the Sipapu Bridge to Kachina Bridge (5.7 mi/9.2 km) or Kachina Bridge to Owachomo Bridge (6.5 mi/10.5 km). If visiting, there is an available campground featuring 13 first-come first-serve sites that feature tent pads and can accomodate RVs up to 26 feet in length. Sites have no water or electrical hookups.