Natural Bridges National Monument Overview

Prospector Cass Hite came across these perforated rock walls, called natural bridges, when he was exploring White Canyon from his Colorado River placer gold camp in 1883. The nation was then newly eager to discover and protect its natural wonders. In 1904 National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges, and in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the National Monument. The area was isolated, and until roads were built and then improved, access was difficult.

This canyon country is generally arid, but it supports a diversity of plant cover and wildlife. From atop the plateau, where the visitor center and loop road are, you sense this arid character directly. At this elevation the pinyon-juniper forest dominates. Desert shrubs and grasses dominate lower areas. Down in the canyon bottoms, however, where the streams have an influence, you will encounter cottonwood trees and willows. Along the cliffs are Douglas-fir, oak, and maple.

Hiking
As you descend into a canyon you may get glimpses of hanging gardens on shelves in the canyon. The many shelves or benches in the canyon walls result from the different rates of erosion of the different layers of rock. The layers of mudstone and siltstone erode faster than the sandstone, promoting collapse, break up, and removal of the harder sandstone. This creates a stairstep effect of alternate cliffs and benches from mesa top to canyon floor.

More on hiking in Natural Bridges National Monument

Mountain Biking
Mountain bikes are welcome only on paved roads in the monument. Bicycles are classified as vehicles and must abide by vehicle regulations. They are not allowed on trails or off established roads.