A Wonder of the World

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But you cannot see it.
Rainbow Bridge National Monument is a natural bridge, but so inaccessible that only hikers and boaters have been able to view it.
Tucked away, among rugged, isolated canyons, at the base of the Navajo Mountains in Utah.
Rainbow Bridge was known for centuries to the Native Americans who lived around that area. They held the bridge sacred, and still do today.
Not until 1909 was the existence publicized to the outside world, by white men who traveled that way on the Colorado River. Teddy Roosevelt and Zane Grey were some of the first visitors to the area. Getting there was a growling trek, taking several days of floating on the Colorado River. That was the easy part. Next was a 7-mile hike up a rugged and rocky canyon to get there.
By early 1950 with all of the talk about this new and beautiful national wonder, people were traveling there by jet boat. It was certainly faster but the remaining hike still took 3 days.
When Glenn Canyon Dam was made and the backwater, or Lake Powell, filled up it made Rainbow Bridge National Monument more accessible.
Boaters can now get there by taking a 50 mile ride on the beautiful and scenic Lake Powell. The hike has now been shortened to ½ mile on a moderate trail. The only other way to see this natural wonder is a 14 mile hike.
Founded as a National Monument, this wonder of the world is a natural bridge of sandstone. Carved out by years of erosion. Higher than the nations capital building, about the same size as the Statute of Liberty. It is the largest natural bridge in the world. It stands 290 feet tall and a span of 275 feet across. It is 42 feet thick.
Today most people rent a boat or take a tour from the boat docks at Wahweep, Bullfrog, or Halls Crossing. For those more adventurous there is the hiking trail.
If you are hiking to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, a permit is required to cross Indian land.


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