Utah, San Juan County, near Blanding
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In 1883, Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon from his mining claim on the Colorado River and “discovered” three stone bridges. He brought them to the attention of area residents and the scientific community. Nowhere else had three such monolithic structures been located in such close proximity. They were described as having “spans far greater than any heretofore known to exist.” On April 16, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation creating Natural Bridges National Monument-Utah’s first National Park Service area.
At the time of the monument’s establishment, little had been known of the location and character of prehistoric ruins near the bridges. Extraordinary cliff dwelling and mesa-top ruins deserved study and protection within the new monument. In response, the park boundary was expanded.
Today, the three bridges - Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo - their names taken from the Hopi Indian culture, are among the largest natural stone bridges in the world.
As you travel Bridge View Drive, overlooks and trails provide opportunities to view and explore the geologic and archeologic features that make Natural Bridges National Monument an important part of this nation’s National Park System.
(Native Americans • Natural Features) Includes location, directions, 9 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
In 1883, Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon from his mining claim on the Colorado River and “discovered” three stone bridges. He brought them to the attention of area residents and the scientific community. Nowhere else had three such monolithic structures been located in such close proximity. They were described as having “spans far greater than any heretofore known to exist.” On April 16, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt signed the proclamation creating Natural Bridges National Monument-Utah’s first National Park Service area.At the time of the monument’s establishment, little had been known of the location and character of prehistoric ruins near the bridges. Extraordinary cliff dwelling and mesa-top ruins deserved study and protection within the new monument. In response, the park boundary was expanded.
Today, the three bridges - Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo - their names taken from the Hopi Indian culture, are among the largest natural stone bridges in the world.
As you travel Bridge View Drive, overlooks and trails provide opportunities to view and explore the geologic and archeologic features that make Natural Bridges National Monument an important part of this nation’s National Park System.
(Native Americans • Natural Features) Includes location, directions, 9 photos, GPS coordinates, map.
