It was a 2-hour drive from Moab to Natural Bridges National Monument. We arrived near sunset and regretted not having more time to spend there. It was so refreshingly quiet.
Natural Bridges was made a National Monument in 1908 and was Utah's first entry into the National Parks system.
There is a campground that is first-come, first-served but unfortunately all 13 sites were already taken. There is a 26-foot limit. It's $15 per site and each site has a grill, picnic table and tent pad. Pit toilets are available but no shower and no hookups.
Entry to the park is $20 for 7 days or use your America the Beautiful pass.
The Bridge View Drive is a one-way, 9-mile paved loop to visit all 3 bridges.
The first parking lot affords a view of Sipapu Bridge.
At the 2nd parking lot, you can take a 1.5 mile roundtrip hike to the bridge or take the unmaintained loop trail to all 3 bridges. The loop is 9.8 miles long and takes 5-6 hours.
Sipapu Bridge is 220 feet high, 268 feet long, 31 feet wide and has a thickness of 53 feet.
Park at the 3rd parking lot and take a 0.6 mile roundtrip trail to see the Horsecollar Ruins.
Horsecollar Ruins Overlook
Bring binoculars so you can see the ruins of a Puebloan cliff dwelling. Horsecollar Ruins got its name from the shape of the doors to the granaries (on the far right).
Continue the drive to see Kachina Bridge. It's a 1.5 mile roundtrip hike to the base of the bridge from the parking lot. Kachina Bridge is 210 feet high, 204 feet long, 44 feet wide and 93 feet thick.
The last bridge is Owachomo Bridge. It's a short 0.5 mile roundtrip hike from the parking lot to the base of the bridge. Owachomo Bridge is 106 feet high, 180 feet long, 27 feet wide and 9 feet thick.
2020 10 13
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