Natural Bridges National Monument
Massive sandstone natural bridges span White Canyon, carved by water that periodically runs through it. Kachina Bridge spans 204ft, 210ft. above the canyon. Owachomo Bridge is 180ft. long and 104ft. high. Sipapu Bridge (the 13th largest in the world) spans 255ft and is 220ft. tall. Owachomo is at risk of falling, since it is only 9ft thick at its center and this area is prone to earthquakes.
For sightseers, a one-way loop road takes you around the park to various outlooks where you can view the meandering canyon and the three main bridges in the park. Off in the distance, the red sandstone hills of the Organ Rock Shale (the rock formation Monument Valley is eroded from) contrast with the tan Cedar Mesa Sandstone (from which the arches are eroded), giving you a glimpse into the geological history of the region. There are short, relatively easy, hikes that take you to better views of the bridges, but the best way to experience this park is to hike down into the canyon and under the bridges. In the winter, this area does receive snow, so keep an eye on local weather and if you plan on hiking bring appropriate footwear and crampons. We were here during the government shutdown of 2018 and the paths were icy and dangerous, so we opted out of hiking into the canyon. I cannot say whether or not the paths are cleared by rangers during normal operations.
MOKI DUGWAY
For the adventurous driver, be sure to drive Moki Dugway, a series of switchbacks cut into the steep face of the escarpment. The road is dirt, but is well maintained. Just about any standard length vehicle should be appropriate under dry weather conditions however, longer vehicles with wide turning radii will have difficulty getting around the sharp bends in the road. Guardrails are not popular in this part of the country, so be cautious, as the views are hard to resist gawking at. Around ¾ of the way up the road there is a pull-off for you to enjoy the view of the valley below. If you are observant enough you can spot the carcasses of vehicles that took the expedited route down. I spotted some sort of trailer and a yellow pickup truck. Also, the road is only one lane, so keep an eye out for vehicles coming the other way and wider parts of the road where you can pass each other.
Moki Dugway
