What to See at Natural Bridges National Monument

Three stone bridges, one dark sky, and a loop drive you can do in an afternoon.

By Chris Hayworth, Nestward

Natural Bridges is small, remote, and easy to underrate on a map. But three of the largest natural bridges in the world sit along one 9-mile loop in southeast Utah, and the night sky here is the darkest you'll find in any national park unit. Plan for a half day if you just want the views, a full day if you want to walk under the bridges.

The three bridges: Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo

The whole park is built around three bridges, named for the Ancestral Puebloans who lived here. They're carved by water (rare in this dry country), and each one has its own personality:

• Sipapu: the biggest and most dramatic, second-largest natural bridge in the world. The viewpoint walk is short; the hike down to its base is the steepest in the park, with stairs and ladders.
• Kachina: the youngest and bulkiest of the three, with a thick span and ancient rock art and handprints visible near its base.
• Owachomo: the oldest, thinnest, and most graceful. It's also the easiest to reach on foot, which makes it the best pick for the night-sky photo above.

From the overlooks they look almost flat against the canyon wall. From below, the scale finally lands. That's the argument for getting out of the car at least once.

If you only have an hour: the viewpoints

The one-way Bridge View Drive strings all three overlooks together. Each has a short paved or graded walk from the parking area:

• Walk to the Sipapu Bridge Viewpoint: quick, flat, and the most jaw-dropping view from the rim.
• Walk to the Kachina Bridge Viewpoint: a short stroll to look down on the massive span.
• Walk to the Owachomo Bridge Viewpoint: the easiest of the three, good for tired legs and small kids.

Do all three viewpoints plus the visitor center and you've seen the headline act in well under two hours. The loop is one-way, so you commit once you start driving it.

If you have a half day: the hikes

Walking under a bridge is a different experience entirely. The maintained routes are:

• Hike to Sipapu Bridge: short but very steep, with stairs and three wooden ladders. Big payoff, real effort. Not for anyone shaky on ladders.
• Hike to Kachina Bridge: also steep, with rock art and an alcove dwelling to spot near the bottom.
• Hike to Owachomo Bridge: the gentle one, roughly a half mile round trip, and the most family-friendly way to stand beneath a span.
• Hike to the Horse Collar Ruin Overlook: a flatter walk to a well-preserved Ancestral Puebloan dwelling tucked under the canyon rim.

Ambitious hikers can connect Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo into a longer canyon-bottom loop. Carry far more water than feels necessary. There's none on the trails, and summer heat here is genuinely dangerous.

The dark sky and Horsecollar Ruin

Natural Bridges was named the world's first International Dark Sky Park in 2007, and it earns it. There's no town glow for miles. On a clear, moonless night the Milky Way is bright enough to cast a faint shadow. Rangers run occasional stargazing programs as part of Stargazing Events in Southeast Utah, but you don't need a program. Just step outside the campground and look up. Bring a red flashlight and let your eyes adjust for 20 minutes.

For history, the Horse Collar Ruin Overlook looks down on a remarkably intact granary and dwelling, named for the distinctive shape of its doorways. It's a quiet reminder that people lived in this canyon for centuries.

Knowing before you go

Natural Bridges is about 45 minutes west of Blanding, Utah, at the end of UT-275, remote, with no gas, food, or lodging at the monument. The entrance fee is $20 per vehicle, good for seven days, and the park is open 24 hours year-round. Spring (April–May) and fall (mid-September–October) are the sweet spots; summer regularly tops 100°F and winter nights drop near zero. There's a small first-come, first-served campground, but no hookups and no overflow. Arrive early or have a backup plan in Blanding.