Natural Bridges National Monument was the first designated site established in Utah by the National Park Service. It preserves and protects the terrain surrounding Owachomo, Sipapu and Kachina natural bridges. This site lies in the desert of southeastern Utah far from any supplies and services.
History & Culture
The Natural Bridges National Monument area was repeatedly occupied and abandoned in prehistory, first being used during the Archaic period 2700 to 2500 years ago. Around 700 B. C., Puebloans moved onto the mesa tops and began dry farming, but the area was later abandoned until about 1110 A. D., when immigrants moved here from across the San Juan River and built single-family houses throughout the best watered areas. In the 1200′s, farmers from Mesa Verde migrated here, but by 1300, all the ancestral Puebloans migrated south. In 1883, prospector Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon from his base camp on the Colorado River. Instead of gold, he discovered three magnificent natural bridges water had sculpted from stone. National Geographic magazine later publicized the area. In 1909, President Theodore Roosevelt designated the area a national monument.
Nature & Science
Natural Bridges are formed where deeply entrenched streams undercut and break through fins of rock that separate their meander loops. Once the stream has broken through creating the natural bridge, it then takes the more direct route. Arches, on the other hand, are formed by frost and seeping water erosion. At Natural Bridges National Monument, entrenched meanders of White and Armstrong creeks cut deeply into the Cedar Mesa sandstone, a pale, cross-bedded, windblown sandstone of Permian age. The three natural bridges in the Monument illustrate three stages of bridge development.
Kachina Bridge represents the early stage, thick and massive, with a relatively small passage. Sipapu Bridge is thinner and the stream below it is no longer wearing away its abutments. Owachomo Bridge, in the late stage of development, is slender and becoming frail. All of these bridges will continue to erode and eventually fall, while others continue to form due to the same processes.
Attractions
The biggest attraction at Natural Bridges National Monument is the natural beauty of the desert terrain in which it lies. There are few developed facilities at this park. A small visitor center lies along State Road 275. It contains a sales area with books, maps, posters and postcards and an exhibit area which explains the geology, natural and cultural history of the region. An audiovisual program is periodically shown throughout each day at the visitor center and rangers are available to answer questions. Water is available at this site as are restrooms. A 13-site campground is maintained by the park service near the visitor center. It is open on a first come, first served basis. Individuals should arrive early to reserve a campsite.
Other facilities within the park include a nine mile scenic drive and several overlooks. Short trails lead to each bridge and Horsecollar Ruin. A longer loop trail leads to a viewpoint of each bridge. Bikes are permitted on the scenic drive, but not on trails in the monument.
Recreation
Visitors to Natural Bridges can enjoy hiking, camping, viewing exhibits, photography and scenic driving. The scenic loop drive along the rim of White Canyon is open year-round. Overlooks of each bridge are accessible for individuals using wheelchairs. Informal interpretive programs may be given on the patio of the visitor center during peak season.
Getting There
Natural Bridges National Monument lies in the southeastern corner of Utah east of Lake Powell. The site is accessible from Blanding via State Highway 95. Bring all supplies necessary for your adventure as there are none available in the immediate area.
Traveler Facts
Contact Information
Natural Bridges National Monument
P. O. Box 1
Lake Powell, UT 84533-0101
Phone: 435-692-1234
Weather/Climate
Southeastern Utah is the high desert. Summer highs reach 85 to 95 degrees F, with lows near 50 to 60 degrees. Thunderstorms often occur during summer afternoons. During autumn highs reach 60 to 75 degrees F, with lows dipping to 40 to 50 degrees. This time of year is mild and snow can be expected late in the season.
Winter highs usually reach 40 to 50 degrees F during the day with lows near 0 to 30 degrees at night and snow likely. Spring is a pleasant time to visit the desert with highs ranging from 50 to 70 degrees F and lows dipping to 20 – 40 degrees. Snow is possible anytime until May. Most of the precipitation in this area falls in the spring. Winter snows also can contribute significantly to precipitation amounts.
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