One of the Largest Natural Bridges in the World, Rainbow Bridge, Is a Stunning Destination Near the Arizona-Utah Border

Some of Arizona's best attractions... aren't actually in Arizona at all. Just south of the border with Utah lies one of the largest natural bridges on earth, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and its grandeur definitely needs to be experienced to be fully understood. It's the world's largest natural bridge in Arizona that's not even in Arizona (whew!).

There's so much to do on the pristine Lake Powell and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area as a whole: boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming, among other activities.

One attraction, hidden deep within Forbidding Canyon, is easily one of the most underrated places on the Arizona-Utah border.

One of the world's largest-known natural bridges, and the single largest in the country, this staggering monument attracts nearly 85,000 visitors from all over the globe annually.

Spanning 234 feet, Rainbow Bridge is considered sacred to a number of local Native American tribes.

Comprised of sandstone deposited by wind as dunes, the bridge began forming about 200 million years ago.

Extreme fluctuations in climate, from sea to desert reminiscent of the Sahara, created layers of stone with differing levels of hardness.

Due to its cultural significance, the National Park Service asks visitors to explore in a respectful manner. After all, its existence has only been known to the outside world for just over 100 years.

Two other similar structures, Kolob Arch and Landscape Arch (pictured below), are both longer than Rainbow Bridge. Since they're arches rather than bridges, the Rainbow Bridge still retains its claim to fame. Xianren Bridge in China has the largest span worldwide.

You'll find Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, just north of the Arizona-Utah border.

Most visitors arrive by boat, but the monument is also accessible via a 14-mile hiking trail through Navajo Nation lands (a permit is required).

Rainbow Bridge may be operating with reduced hours or other temporary restrictions, so visit the National Park Service website to learn more. Have you ever visited Rainbow Bridge National Monument? If so, tell us all about your experience! Check out our previous article to learn about another breathtaking natural wonder in Arizona.

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