The Magnificent Bridge Loop In Utah That Leads You To Three Hidden Overlooks
By Catherine Armstrong|Published May 20, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
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Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Visitors to Utah head straight for the national parks, but there’s one national monument here that gets very little attention. If you want to escape the crowds, head to Natural Bridges National Monument, and take a drive on the Bridge Loop Drive to find three overlooks featuring the natural bridges here.
You'll find Natural Bridges National Park near Lake Powell. The park covers 7,636 acres and sees just 100,000 or so visitors every year. If you want to get a good look at some of Utah's most interesting geology, you'll want to pay it a visit.
The park is home to three natural bridges, and the easiest way to see them is by taking the nine-mile-long paved loop, Bridge Loop Drive. Start at the Visitor Center and make your way counter-clockwise to parking lots at each overlook.
You'll be in awe once you get to the Sipapu Bridge Overlook. The landscape stretches as far as the eye can see, and you'll have a birds-eye view of the natural bridge. Sipapu Bridge is the largest of the three in the park. It's 220 feet tall, with a span of 268 feet.
If you want to explore the bridge up close, take the Sipapu Bridge Trail. It's just 1.4 miles, round trip, but it's steep and considered a difficult trail. You'll need to navigate three wooden ladders, a steep set of metal stairs and many switchbacks.
Kachina Bridge is your next stop. The winding path to this bridge provides a charming little stroll amongst the desert flora. It will take you just 10 minutes to traverse the .13 mile-long path to reach the Kachine Bridge Viewpoint, but it's fairly steep.
Get your camera ready for the Kachina Bridge Overlook - it's absolutely stunning. This arch is 210 feet high, with a span of 220 feet. In 1992, 4,000 tons of sandstone fell from this bridge, increasing its opening.
If you're up for a bit of a challenge, take the trail to Kachina Bridge. It's just 1.42 miles round trip, but it descends 462 feet from the rim of the canyon. To reach the bridge, you'll traverse a wooden ladder, steep switchbacks, and both rock and wooden stairs.
Owachomo Natural Bridge is the last one on the loop to see. The trail to Owachomo Overlook is less than 260 feet, and it's a quick, easy journey. The paved trail is mostly flat, so it's perfect for every visitor.
The Owachomo Bridge Viewpoint showcases the smallest natural bridge in the park. Owachomo is just 106 feet tall, with a span of 180 feet. It might be small, but it's very pretty, and it's the most photographed bridge in the park.
The hike to the base of Owachomo Bridge is the easiest of the three. Just .26 miles each way, this trail is almost flat, though you'll navigate some wood and stone stairs along the way. Bring your camera to capture the beauty of this natural bridge from below.
Make your way back to the Visitor Center, and don't forget to stop in and see the interactive exhibits inside. You'll learn more about these beautiful natural bridges, and the ancient people who once called this place home.
Visit the Natural Bridges National Monument website to learn more about this special place. Have you already visited? We’d love to see your photos and read about your adventures in the comments!
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