Natural Bridge

Bryce Canyon National Park


Natural Bridge is an extremely popular stop, and with good reason: a stunning span of eroded, red-hued limestone juts from the edge of the overlook. Though called a bridge, it’s technically an arch. A bridge forms when running water, such as a stream, causes the erosion. In this case, freezing and thawing of water inside cracks and crevices, combined with gravity, shattered rock to create the window. Even if you’re tight on time, squeeze this stop onto your agenda.

There is a parking lot here, as well as a viewpoint to see Natural Bridge from above at Scenic Drive Mile 12.5.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bryce Canyon National Park attractions

1. Agua Canyon Viewpoint

0.93 MILES

One of the best stops at the southern end of the park, the Agua Canyon viewpoint overlooks two large formations of precariously balanced, top-heavy…

2. Farview Point

1.12 MILES

A grand view of the tree-studded rises and benches, giant plateaus, blue-hued mesas and buttes that extend from the skirts of Bryce into the Grand…

3. Ponderosa Canyon

1.91 MILES

Ponderosa Canyon offers long vistas over giant ponderosa pines and a small amphitheater of hoodoos and burnt-orange cliffs, which are especially…

4. Black Birch Canyon Overlook

3.07 MILES

Just north of Mile 16, at 8750ft, the small Black Birch Canyon overlook demonstrates just how precipitously the cliffs drop from the road. It also offers…

5. Rainbow Point

4.08 MILES

On a clear day you can see more than 100 miles from this overlook at the southernmost end of Bryce Canyon Scenic Dr. The viewpoint provides jaw-dropping…

6. Yovimpa Point

4.36 MILES

Accessed by a paved path from the same parking lot as Rainbow Point, Yovimpa Point is one of the park’s windiest spots. The southwest-facing view reveals…

7. Swamp Canyon

4.63 MILES

The overlook at Swamp Canyon sits in a forested dip between two ridge lines that extend into the canyon as fins, dropping to hoodoo formations. From the…

8. Paria View

6.66 MILES

Three miles north of Swamp Canyon, signs point to the Paria View viewpoint, which lies 2 miles off the main road. This is the place to come for sunsets…