State: Utah
Location: Natural Bridges National Monument
Length, Round Trip: 1.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Best Season: April to November
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Moderate
Moose grazing in Utah
Trail Information
Kachina is a massive bridge and is considered the “youngest” of the three because of the thickness of its span. The relatively small size of its opening and its orientation make it difficult to see from the overlook. Kachina is “the middle bridge.” Spanning the canyon equidistant from both Owachomo and Sipapu bridges. It is larger than Owachomo but smaller than Sipapu. Proving that canyons are dynamic rather than static, approximately 4,000 tons of sandstone fell from the inside of the Kachina bridge opening in June, 1992, enlarging the opening as it has doubtless been enlarged time and time again.
The short Kachina Bridge Trail descends from the parking area along the rim drive to the base of Kachina bridge. The trail has uneven stone steps, switchbacks and steep sections of slickrock (sandstone) with handrails.
Directions
From the Visitor Center:
Drive west along Bridge View Drive to the Kachina Bridge viewpoint and trailhead.
