Natural Bridges National Monument
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| Natural Bridges National Monument | |
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| IUCN Category III (Natural Monument) | |
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[[Image:US_Locator_Blank.svg lat_direction = N|288px|]]
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| Area: | 7,637 acres (31 km²) |
| Established: | April 16, 1908 |
| Total Visitation: | 97,999 (in 2002) |
| Governing body: | U.S. National Park Service |
Natural Bridges National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located in southeast Utah, in the western United States. It features the second and third largest natural bridges in the world.
The elevation ranges from 1,700 to 2,000 m (5,500 feet to 6,500 feet). At higher elevations pinyon-juniper forests grow, giving way to shrubs and grasses at lower elevations. In the canyons, where there is more water, there are willow and cottonwood trees.
Natural bridges are formed through erosion by moving water. The remaining rock spans the canyon like a bridge, hence the name. The three bridges in the park are named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu, which are all Hopi names.
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[edit] Attractions
The main attractions are Bridge View Drive which winds along the park and goes by all three bridges, and hiking down to the base of the bridges. There is also a campground and picnic areas within the park. Electricity in the park comes entirely from a large solar array near the visitors center. According to Backpacker magazine, Natural Bridges National Monument has the least light pollution in the continental United States.
| Bridge | Height | Span | Width | Thickness |
| Owachomo | 32 m (106 feet) | 55 m (180 feet) | 8 m (27 feet) | 3 m (9 feet) |
| Sipapu | 67 m (220 feet) | 82 m (268 feet) | 9 m (31 feet) | 16 m (53 feet) |
| Kachina | 64 m (210 feet) | 62 m (204 feet) | 13 m (44 feet) | 28 m (93 feet) |
[edit] Biology
- Animals include: birds, rabbits, lizards, bobcats, coyotes, bears, mule dear, mountain lions.
- Plants include: willow, cottonwood, douglas fir, ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper, grasses, shrubs.
[edit] History
In 1904 the National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges and the area was designated a National Monument April 16, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. It is Utah's first National Monument.
[edit] See also
- Arches National Park
- Dark Canyon Wilderness
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
- Manti-La Sal National Forest
[edit] External links
| Parks of Utah | |
|---|---|
| National Parks | Arches National Park • Bryce Canyon National Park • Canyonlands National Park • Capitol Reef National Park • Zion National Park |
| National Monuments | Cedar Breaks National Monument • Dinosaur National Monument • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument • Hovenweep National Monument • Natural Bridges National Monument • Rainbow Bridge National Monument • Timpanogos Cave National Monument |
| State Parks Northern Region |
Antelope Island State Park • Bear Lake • Camp Floyd State Park • Deer Creek State Park • East Canyon State Park • Great Salt Lake State Park • Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail • Jordanelle State Park • Hyrum Lake State Park • Red Fleet State Park • Rockport State Park • Starvation State Park • Steinaker State Park • Utah Lake • Wasatch Mountain • Willard Bay State Park |
| State Parks Central Region |
Fremont Indian State Park • Goblin Valley State Park • Green River State Park • Huntington State Park • Millsite State Park • Palisade State Park • Scofield State Park • Territorial Statehouse • Yuba Lake State Park |
| State Parks Southern Region |
Anasazi Indian State Park • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park • Dead Horse Point State Park • Edge Of the Cedars State Park • Escalante State Park • Goosenecks State Park • Gunlock State Park • Iron Mission State Park • Kodachrome Basin State Park • Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument • Otter Creek State Park • Piute State Park • Quail Creek State Park • Sand Hollow State Park • Snow Canyon State Park |
| Municipal parks | Ft. Buenaventura • Lost Creek Reservoir • Jordan River Parkway • Minersville Reservoir • Veterans Memorial Park • This Is The Place Heritage Park |
