Three massive natural bridges of stone -- the largest and most impressive collection of such formations in the world -- can be found at the Natural Bridges National Monument in southeastern Utah. The oldest is Owachomo, a 106-foot-high bridge that is only nine feet thick across the top. Though it is no longer being eroded by water, it is susceptible to cracking.

The Sipapu Bridge ("place of emergence" in Hopi), is the largest bridge in both height (220 feet) and span (268 feet). The youngest of the three is Kachina Bridge, named for the symbols that are carved on the bridge and also found on kachina dolls. This bulky bridge is 210 feet high and 93 feet thick. Floodwaters in White Canyon are still eroding and enlarging Kachina.

Natural Bridges National Monument
ŠNational Park Service
Rivers carved natural bridges into the rock at the National Monument in Utah.

Water is the force that forms natural bridges (natural arches are formed by other erosional processes). When a river forms a great loop, almost circling back on itself, it can create a thin rock wall in which a natural bridge can form. Running water scrapes away at opposite sides of the thin wall. Eventually, the river breaks through the wall and takes the new, shorter course under the bridge. The river continues to wear down the rock, slowly enlarging the opening.

In addition to the bridges, the monument contains fascinating plant and animal life, as well as prehistoric ruins.

Natural Bridges National Monument Information

Address: End of Hwy 275 (35 miles west of Blanding, UT)
Telephone: 435/692-1234
Hours of Operation: Open daily, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
Admission: $3 per person or $6 per vehicle

 

Learn about these other national monuments:

­Agate Fossil Beds National MonumentColorado National MonumentGeorge Washington Birthplace National MonumentNatural Bridges National MonumentScotts Bluff National Monument
Alibates Flint Quarries National MonumentDevils Postpile National Monument George Washington Carver National MonumentOcmulgee National MonumentSunset Crater Volcano National Monument
Aniakchak National Monument and PreserveDinosaur National MonumentGila Cliff Dwellings National MonumentOregon Caves National MonumentTimpanogos Cave National Monument
Booker T. Washington National MonumentEffigy Mounds National MonumentGrand Portage National MonumentOrgan Pipe Cactus National MonumentTonto National Monument
Buck Island Reef National MonumentEl Malpais National MonumentHohokam Pima National MonumentPetroglyph National MonumentTuzigoot National Monument
Cape Krusenstern National Monument El Morro National MonumentHomestead National MonumentPinnacles National MonumentWalnut Canyon National Monument
Capulin Volcano National MonumentFlorissant Fossil Beds National MonumentHovenweep National MonumentPipe Spring National MonumentWupatki National Monument
Casa Grande Ruins National MonumentFort Frederica National MonumentJewel Cave National MonumentPipestone National Monument
Castle Clinton National MonumentFort Matanzas National MonumentJohn Day Fossil Beds National MonumentPoverty Point National Monument
Cedar Breaks National MonumentFort Stanwix National MonumentLava Beds National MonumentRainbow Bridge National Monument
Chiricahua National MonumentFossil Butte National MonumentMontezuma Castle National MonumentRussell Cave National Monument

To learn more about national national monuments, memorials, and historic sites, and other travel destinations in North America, visit:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Eric Peterson is a Denver-based freelance writer who has contributed to numerous guidebooks about the Western United States.