Natural Bridges National Monument ⓘ

The NPS acknowledges, with respect, that Native people have been successful stewards of the land within the monument since time immemorial. The NPS understands that the park is located within the ancestral and traditional homeland of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Navajo Nation, Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Laguna, Pueblo of Santa Ana, Pueblo of Santa Clara, Pueblo of Zuni, San Juan Southern Paiute, Southern Ute Indian Tribe of the Southern Ute Reservation, Ute Indian Tribe of Uintah and Ouray Reservation, and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.

People repeatedly occupied and abandoned Natural Bridges during prehistoric times. They first began using this area during the Archaic period, from the year 7000 BCE (Before Common Era) to 500 CE (Common Era). Only the rock art and stone tools left by hunter-gatherer groups reveal that humans lived here then. Around 700 CE, ancestors of modern Puebloan people moved onto the mesa tops to dry farm and later left as the natural environment changed.

Three hundred years after their ancestors left, the farmers returned. They built homes of sandstone masonry or mud-packed sticks, both on the mesa tops and in alcoves in the cliffs. South facing caves provided passive solar heating and cooling. The farmers often chose sites near seep springs where water could be found.

Styles of masonry, ceramic decoration and other artifacts suggest that the people here were related to those of the Mesa Verde region to the east. Influences are clearly evident from the Kayenta region to the southwest and the Fremont culture to the north. Like these people, the inhabitants of Natural Bridges left this area for the last time around A.D. 1270.

Navajos and Paiutes lived in the area during later times, and Navajo oral tradition holds that their ancestors lived among the early Puebloans.

“The Hopi today live on or near three mesas in Northeastern Arizona. In the past they lived other places as well. Their history is a story of many migrations—the movements of clans and villages. The ancestors of the Hopi, called Hisatsinom, once inhabited many parts of the American Southwest, including the Natural Bridges area. Archeologists often refer to them as ancestral Puebloans. Throughout their migrations the Hisatsinom clans left markers (pictographs and petroglyphs) to show where they had been. Often they left artifacts from special religious societies in place and they left markings on walls to indicate that particular ceremonies had been performed before the people left. Religious society leaders gave permission for such sacred symbols to be put on the walls. These images make up much of the ‘prehistoric’ rock art now enjoyed by visitors to the Southwest.”

- Walter Hamana , Hopi Elder 1992 visit to Natural Bridges rock art sites

In 1883, prospector Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon from his base camp along the Colorado River in search of gold. What he found instead were three magnificent bridges, sculpted from stone by water. In 1904, National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges, and in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt established Natural Bridges National Monument , creating Utah's first National Park Service area.

Several names have been applied to the bridges. First named "President," "Senator" and "Congressman" by Cass Hite, the bridges were renamed "Augusta," "Caroline" and "Edwin" by later explorer groups. As the park was expanded to protect nearby Puebloan structures, the General Land Office assigned the Hopi names "Sipapu," "Kachina" and "Owachomo" to the bridges in 1909. Sipapu means "the place of emergence," an entryway by which the Hopi believe their ancestors came into this world. Kachina is named for rock art on the bridge that resembles symbols commonly used on kachina dolls. Owachomo means "rock mound," a feature atop the bridge's east abutment.

These places are critically important to all of us. Mr. Hamana and others have their roots here. Hundreds of years of their history are written on the stone walls of these canyons. We frequently see these ruins and rock art only as curiosities, but perhaps they can teach us about our history and our future.

Archeological sites are extremely fragile. They often hold spiritual significance for Native Americans. Their scientific value depends on artifacts remaining exactly where they are. All of these sites are protected by strictly enforced federal and state laws, notably the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979. These laws provide substantial fines and jail terms for site damage or the removal of even one small artifact such as a piece of pottery or part of an arrowhead.

Remember, if an artifact is taken or rock art defaced, no fine or jail term can replace or repair it. Its spiritual, scientific and educational value is lost to all of us forever.

At first glance, Natural Bridges is a quiet, empty world. Nothing seems to move. The only sound is wind moving through the canyons. If you sit and wait a while, you’ll start to hear the shushing of Cottonwood leaves moving below. The scurrying of a squirrel sends a pebble clattering down the slickrock. Stay even longer to hear the trilling cry of a canyon wren and pick out the ruby-toned buds of claret cup cactus nestled among white stone. If you return tomorrow, a thunderstorm may send a flood twisting down White Canyon. If you return next year, Owachomo Bridge may no longer be standing.

The momentary stillness of canyon country is deceptive. The same processes that formed this seemingly eternal landscape are still at work, continually changing the world of Natural Bridges.

Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, Natural Bridges was the world's first "International Dark Sky Park."

Have you ever taken a picture of a flower, or butterfly, or an unusual mushroom? You can also keep track of the biodiversity you see when you are in a national park, or where ever you go, with iNaturalist. Learn more about how you can help document the various life forms in our national parks. Explore Biodiversity Check out the Natural Bridges iNaturalist project.

Several animals are crepuscular , or active at dawn and dusk. Dawn and dusk are cooler times of the day and the half-light helps animals avoid predators while still being able to see food. Some animals are crepuscular because their prey is crepuscular. Crepuscular animals include mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and many songbirds.

A few desert animals are diurnal , or active during the day. These include rock squirrels, antelope squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, snakes, and hawks. Many animals have a temperature range in which they are active, so their active times of day change with the seasons. Snakes and lizards go into a state of torpor (inactivity) during the winter, are diurnal during the late spring and early fall, and become crepuscular during the heat of summer. Many insects alter their times of activity. For example, mosquitoes may be out all night, all day, or at dawn or dusk, depending on temperature.

Humans are diurnal, but should become crepuscular while visiting the park. Not only will your chances of seeing wildlife be greater, but your hike will be more enjoyable in the cooler morning. This also helps avoid afternoon thunderstorms in the summer. If you’re nocturnal, we’re also open after dark and have internationally-recognized dark skies !

Small mammals do well in the park's hot and dry climate. Because of their size, these animals have an easier time finding shelter and require less food and water to live. Rodents are numerous, with nine species of mice and rats alone. Common small mammals are the desert cottontail, deer mouse, white-tailed antelope squirrel, chipmunk, rock squirrel, and bats.

Watch for cottontails hiding in the brushy desert scrub. Cottontails are named for the white patch of fur on their tail that resembles a cotton ball. They raise this white tail when danger is near, which serves as an alarm signal to other cottontails. These rabbits can run up to 20 mph in a zigzag pattern to escape predators! Cottontails belong to the order of mammals called rodents - a group of animals whose teeth never stop growing! Rabbits use their sharp, ever-growing teeth to nibble twigs and grasses. These furry critters keep themselves cool in the hot desert sun by radiating body heat through their large ears.

Large mammals, like mule deer and mountain lions, must roam vast territories in order to find food and water. They sometimes migrate to nearby mountains during summer. Mule deer are the most common large mammal and are often seen on the road coming into the park. Large predators, including mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, and black bears, are less commonly seen, but their tracks are often spotted.

Along with cacti and sand dunes, reptiles are icons of the desert. Reptiles are cold-blooded, regulating their body temperature with sunshine and shade rather than internally. Keeping warm in the desert requires little work during summer, so reptiles can use their energy to find food and reproduce. During cold months, reptiles hibernate. The only reptiles found in Natural Bridges are snakes and lizards. Visitors in summer months may see common sagebrush lizards, plateau lizards, side-blotched lizards, and maybe a prairie rattlesnake.

Look for these four- to six-inch lizards sunbathing on warm summer days. Like most lizards, side-blotched lizards sit are opportunist hunters, waiting for prey to wander close. These lizards are easy to identify, with brown scales and tell-tale dark blue blotches behind the front legs. They hibernate in winter, but, because of their small size, are able to warm up quickly and move around on warm days.

Amphibians may be the last thing people think of when they visit Natural Bridges. However, the area is home to a few varieties of toad and one species of salamander. These animals take advantage of intermittent springs and pools when they are available and remain dormant during drier periods. Witnessing a chorus of toads in White Canyon may be one of the most memorable experiences canyon country has to offer.

Although tiger salamanders are hard to spot, they are a fascinating part of Natural Bridges’ ecosystem. These salamanders are typically three to six inches long and have black and orange splotches like tigers. They require water for breeding and spend most of their life in burrows waiting for enough water. Young, or larval, salamanders have large heads with frilled external gills and four legs. In stock ponds, they may never fully mature and are able to reproduce in this stage. In ephemeral pools , the larvae will mature, but it can take one to three years.

Birds are the most visible animals in Natural Bridges. Even on the hottest summer day, turkey vultures, ravens, and white-throated swifts circle above the canyons. Many birds concentrate in riparian areas on the canyon floors. During spring and summer, songs from birds like yellow-breasted chats, spotted towhees, and canyon wrens may be heard. Pinyon jays, scrub jays, and black-throated gray warblers are usually seen in pinyon-juniper woodlands. American kestrels may be seen on high perches, scanning for prey.

Rock Wrens live in a world of cracks and nooks on rocky slopes and outcrops. They have a pale gray back, faintly striped breast, long tail, and long, thin bill. Rock wrens use their long bill to easily pick spiders and other insects out of narrow crevices. Both male and female rock wrens build a walkway of small, flat stones that lead to their cupped nest, located in a rock crevice or hole. They are frequently seen bobbing up and down, especially when alarmed.

Never approach or handle wildlife of any kind. Keep all food stowed, especially in campsites. Wild animals often carry deadly diseases , including Hantavirus, bubonic plague and rabies, and may become aggressive without warning. Do not approach animals to take photographs and teach children not to chase or pick up animals.