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Rainbow Bridge National Monument is open year-round to the public.The heaviest visitation is during the summer. Tours may be also be available year-round. Minimum number requirements may have to be met. The Dangling Rope Ranger Station is open on an intermittent basis. It is located by the Dangling Rope Marina. There are restrooms and other facilities available in association with the Marina. Dangling Rope Marina, the closest source of first aid, water, gas, and supplies, is open year-round. Rangers are at Rainbow Bridge daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, less frequently other times of the year.

By its wondrous size, to say nothing of its majesty and mystery, Rainbow Bridge has inspired humans throughout time. From the time the bridge became known to the outside world in the early 20th century, thousands of people from around the world have visited each year. From its base to the top of the arch, it is 290 feet-nearly the height of the Statue of Liberty-and spans 275 feet across the river; the top of the arch is 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide.

Tucked among the rugged, isolated canyons at the base of Navajo Mountain, Rainbow Bridge was known for centuries by the Native Americans who lived in the area. Native Americans living in the region have long held the bridge sacred. Ancestral Puebloan residents were followed much later by Paiute and Navajo groups. Several Paiute and Navajo families, in fact, still reside nearby. These neighboring Indian tribes believe Rainbow Bridge is a sacred religious site. They travel to Rainbow Bridge to pray and make offerings near and under its lofty span. Special prayers are said before passing beneath the Bridge: neglect to say appropriate prayers might bring misfortune or hardship.

By the 1800s, Rainbow Bridge was also surely seen by wandering trappers, prospectors, and cowboys. Not until 1909, though, was its existence publicized to the outside world. Two separate exploration parties-one headed by University of Utah dean, Byron Cummings, and another by government surveyor, W.B. Douglass-began searching for the legendary span. There had apparently been friction between Cummings and Douglass in the past. Indeed, at the time when both parties were preparing expeditions to search for the bridge, Douglass was also attempting to have Cummings’ permit to excavate archeological sites revoked. John Wetherill, who was organizing the Cummings expedition, was placed in the position of being a mediator for the two groups. Eventually, they combined efforts. Paiute guides Nasja Begay and Jim Mike led the way, along with trader and explorer, John Wetherill. Men and horses endured heat, slickrock slopes, treacherous ledges, and sandstone mazes. Late in the afternoon of August 14, coming down what is now Bridge Canyon, the party saw Rainbow Bridge for the first time.

The next year, on May 30, 1910, President William Howard Taft created Rainbow Bridge National Monument to preserve this “extraordinary natural bridge, having an arch which is in form and appearance much like a rainbow, and which is of great scientific interest as an example of eccentric stream erosion.” After the initial publicity, a few more adventurous souls journeyed to Rainbow Bridge. Teddy Roosevelt and Zane Grey were among those early travelers who made the arduous trek from Oljeto or Navajo Mountain to the foot of the Rainbow. Visiting Rainbow Bridge was made easier with the availability of surplus rubber rafts after World War II, although the trip still required several days floating the Colorado River plus a 7-mile hike up-canyon. By the early 1950s, people could travel by jet boat from Lees Ferry, and then make the hike-a trip totaling three days!

What Teddy Roosevelt and his contemporaries witnessed-evidence of the significance of Rainbow Bridge to early and present day Native American cultures is difficult to discern today. Since then, much archeological evidence has been lost as Lake Powell, along with thousands of visitors, arrived. The Glen Canyon Dam was authorized in 1956. By 1963, the gates on the dam closed and rising Lake Powell began to engulf the river and its side canyons. Higher water made access to Rainbow Bridge much easier, bringing thousands of visitors each year.

In 1974, Navajo tribal members who lived in the vicinity of Rainbow Bridge filed suit in U.S. District Court against the Secretary of the Interior, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Director of the National Park Service. The suit was an attempt to preserve important Navajo religious sites that were being inundated by the rising waters of Lake Powell. The court ruled against the Navajo, saying that the need for water storage outweighed their concerns. In 1980, the Tenth District Court of Appeals ruled that to close Rainbow Bridge, a public site, for Navajo religious ceremonies would violate the U.S. Constitution which protects the religious freedom of all citizens.

By 1993, a National Park Service General Management Plan, involving much public input, was adopted. It offered a long-term plan for mitigating visitor impacts and preserving the resources of Rainbow Bridge National Monument. As part of the planning process, the National Park Service consulted with the five Native American nations affiliated with Rainbow Bridge: the Navajo, Hopi, San Juan Southern Paiute, Kaibab Paiute, and White Mesa Ute. Chief among their concerns was that Rainbow Bridge-a religious and sacred place-be protected and visited in a respectful manner. Additionally, the tribes expressed concerns about visitors approaching or walking under the bridge. Today, the National Park Service simply asks that you visit this site in a manner respectful of its significance to the people who have long held Rainbow Bridge sacred. You are asked to view it from the viewing area rather than walking up to or under it.

By its wondrous size, to say nothing of its majesty and mystery, Rainbow Bridge has inspired humans throughout time. From the time the bridge became known to the outside world in the early 20th century, thousands of people from around the world have visited each year. From its base to the top of the arch, it is 290 feet-nearly the height of the Statue of Liberty-and spans 275 feet across the river; the top of the arch is 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide.

Rainbow Bridge is but one of the endlessly fascinating landforms found on the Colorado Plateau and the story of its formation is an intriguing one. Natural bridges are rare, and differ from arches in that they form when a watercourse breaks through rock. Arches are far more common across the Colorado Plateau, although both are shaped by the same erosional processes.

The rock formations which comprise Rainbow Bridge are believed by scientists to be hundreds of millions of years old, deposited in a time when the climate and terrain were very different from what they are today. The base of Rainbow Bridge is composed of Kayenta Sandstone, reddish-brown sands and mud laid down by inland seas and shifting winds. The bridge itself is composed of Navajo Sandstone. This slightly younger formation was created as wave after wave of sand dunes were deposited over an extremely dry period. These dunes were deposited to depths of up to 1000 feet (305 meters). Over time, both of these formations were buried by an additional 5000 feet (1,524 meters) of other strata. The pressures exerted by the weight of all these materials consolidated and hardened the rock of these and other formations.

When we look at Rainbow Bridge and other spectacular landforms on the Colorado Plateau, we are witnessing a landscape whose principle sculptor was water. Water was not always the infrequent visitor it is today. When the Colorado Plateau uplifted, river gradients were dramatically steepened, especially the Colorado’s. These rivers combined their forces with that of the uplift to quickly cut many deep canyons into the plateau. During this time, periods of heavy rains, called pluvial, dramatically increased the amount of water flowing across the plateau.

In addition to canyon cutting, water also played a role in other ways, including the formation of Rainbow Bridge. Much of the exposed rock on the plateau, including Rainbow Bridge, is sandstone. Sandstone is really nothing more than grains of sand, some fine, some course, bound together by water soluble materials, like calcium carbonate. Whether it’s a raindrop or a river, water dissolves this bond and washes away the grains of sand, creating a myriad of fascinating shapes and forms.

Initially, water flowing off nearby Navajo Mountain meandered across the sandstone, following a path of least resistance. A drainage known today as Bridge Canyon was carved deep into the rock. At the site of Rainbow Bridge, the Bridge Canyon stream flowed in a tight curve around a thin fin of soft sandstone that jutted into the canyon. The force of the stream eventually cut a hole through the fin. Rainbow Bridge was created when the stream altered course and flowed directly through the opening, enlarging it. This process continues to this day, imperceptibly altering the shape of the Bridge. The same erosional forces which created the bridge will, eventually, cause its demise.

Although Rainbow Bridge is immediately adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, it is a separate unit of the National Park System. As such, the range of permitted activities is smaller than for the recreation area. Visitors may take the trail from the courtesy dock to the viewing area for the bridge. Visitors are asked to respect the religious significance of Rainbow Bridge to neighboring tribes and consider viewing Rainbow Bridge from the viewing area rather than walking up to or under the bridge. Traditional water-based recreation activities such as swimming, fishing, water skiing, etc. are not allowed anywhere within the monument. People may backpack to Rainbow Bridge on the Navajo Mountain trail with the appropriate permit available from the Navajo Nation.

Rainbow Bridge is accessible only by boat or by a 13 mile hike (with permit from the Navajo Nation). The public may access Rainbow Bridge by boat across Lake Powell. Trips to the bridge may be made in private, rental, or tour boats. A courtesy dock is available for short-term docking while people make the 1/2 mile (.8km) walk to the bridge. By boat, it is approximately 50 miles (80km) from Wahweap, Bullfrog, or Halls Crossing to Rainbow Bridge.

Boat tours to Rainbow Bridge are available from the park’s concessionaire, Aramark. Since the Wahweap and Bullfrog marinas are about 50 miles on the lake from Rainbow Bridge, the tour takes all day. For boat tour information and reservations call 1-800-528-6154.

You may also backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands. Rainbow Bridge National Monument can be reached by way of two hiking trails whose trailheads are located in the vicinity of Navajo Mountain. The two trails are located on Navajo Tribal Lands and terminate at Rainbow Bridge National Monument. The trails traverse rough canyon country and are not recommended for the beginning, casual or careless hiker. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required. You may write to: Navajo Nation, Parks and Recreation Department, Box 9000, Window Rock, Arizona 86515.

Would you like to learn how to take better photographs? Rainbow Bridge is one of the finest photographic subjects you will ever encounter. Since the first photograph of Rainbow Bridge was snapped by Stuart M. Young on August 14, 1909, photography continues to be an integral part of the monument’s colorful history. You may have the opportunity to learn professional photography techniques and tips from Park Ranger Jonathan Parker. These one-hour tours will utilize Rainbow Bridge as a photographic subject to teach visitors the fundamental skills to improve their photographic techniques. Participants will walk away from the tour with a finer understanding of photographic composition, lighting, and camera operation. You will also have the opportunity to experience and learn about the natural history of the area in the company of a Park Ranger. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and can receive professional feedback on their photographs. This program is designed for beginning to intermediate photographers.

Summers are extremely hot with little, if any, shade. Winters are moderately cold with night time lows often below freezing. Spring weather is highly variable with extended periods of strong winds. Fall is generally mild. Temperatures range from 110°F (43°C) in June & July to O°F (-18°C) in December & January. Although precipitation is generally less than 6 inches (15cm) annually, both heavy rains and flash flooding can occur.

Current Park Weather

Summers are extremely hot with little, if any, shade. Lightweight, light colored clothing is recommend in summer, including a hat. Layers of clothing are best other times of year. The walk to Rainbow Bridge is just over a mile, one-way. NOTE: as water levels change, so does the length of the trail. Prepare for hot weather. Take plenty of water (at least two liters.) Wear sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Good walking shoes are recommended for this hike.

The desert can be a harsh and unforgiving environment, especially if you are not accustomed to it. Make sure to drink plenty of water, at least a gallon per person per day (soda, alcohol, coffee and tea don’t count). Also make sure you eat during the day to help electrolyte replacement. Curtail strenuous activities during the hottest parts of the day.

Appreciate Rainbow Bridge for its geologic wonder and for its profound significance to the various Indian tribes who revere it. Please treat Rainbow Bridge and the surrounding canyons with respect. Stay on the trail to refrain from trampling plants and land around Rainbow Bridge. Approach and visit Rainbow Bridge as you would a church. Please respect the beliefs of the Indians for Rainbow Bridge. The true significance of Rainbow Bridge extends beyond the obvious. It is indeed a bridge–a bridge between cultures.

In summer, the trails are hot and dry; in winter, elevations make them subject to severe cold and high winds. Portions of both trails are subject to flash flooding during thunderstorms. Flash Floods are the artists who carve the intricate curves of slot canyons. They are also the assassins of anyone who may be in their paths. Do not enter a slot canyon if rain has been forecast. Even if the skies above you are clear, a storm hundreds of miles away may have triggered a flash flood in your area.

Few trail signs exist. The trails are mostly marked with small stone cairns. These can be washed away during flash floods, so carry the appropriate 7.5’ quad maps. Neither trail is maintained. Be prepared! Search, rescue and evacuation can be time-consuming and expensive. Neither the National Park Service nor the Navajo Nation is responsible for search and rescue operations that may need to be carried out on this trail system.

It is important to note that both trails lay almost entirely upon Navajo Tribal Lands. Utmost respect must be paid to homes, hogans, sweat lodges, and archeological sites along the way. It is preferred that vehicles not be left at the trailheads. Do not harass horses or livestock. Practice Leave No Trace backcountry ethics at all times: pack out all trash, build fires in established fire rings only, do not bury human waste near water sources, and most importantly, stay on the established trail.

It is prohibited for any person to jump or dive off of rock cliffs, ledges, or man-made structures (excluding vessels).The NPS does not advocate or promote the activity of cliff jumping or diving regardless of the height from the water surface. For the purpose of this restriction cliff, ledge, or man-made structure is defined to mean any formation of rock or soil, or structure, or combination thereof having a height of 15’ or more from the surface of the water.

The National Park Service continues to stress the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) and boats. This is an odorless, tasteless gas, which can kill you. The gas replaces the oxygen in your lungs and if you do not receive oxygen soon, the damage may be fatal. While past emphasis has been on houseboats, studies show that all boats can collect dangerous levels of CO. Anytime generators and/or engines are running, CO is produced. Do not allow passengers to congregate around engines or the backs of boats when engines or generators are running. This is especially important when you may enclose the boat for warmth. For some boats, which vent CO out the back, this deadly gas can collect under the swim step and spaces under the boat. The CO remains there long after engines and generators have been shut down. Don’t play or swim under the swim step or under the boat. Use carbon monoxide detectors. Always be aware of the dangers of CO around your boat.

Pets are not allowed on the docks at Rainbow Bridge or on the trail to the bridge.

There is no fee to view this monument.

There is no camping allowed in the monument, but there is in Glen Canyon.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is 1 mile away. Bryce Canyon National Park is 220 miles away. Capitol Reef National Park is 102 miles away. Grand Canyon National Park is 240 miles away. Canyonlands National Park is 180 miles away. Zion National Park is 120 miles away. Other nearby places to visit are Arches National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Navajo Indian Reservation, Havasupai Indian Reservation, Kaibab Indian Reservation, Hopi Indian Reservation, Ute Mountain Indian Reservation, Canyon Rims B.L.M. Recreational Area, Kaibab National Forest, Dixie National Forest, Manti-La Sal National Forest, and Fishlake National Forest.

Rainbow Bridge is accessible only by boat or by a 13 mile hike (with permit from the Navajo Nation). The public may access Rainbow Bridge by boat across Lake Powell. Trips to the bridge may be made in private, rental, or tour boats. A courtesy dock is available for short-term docking while people make the 1/2 mile (.8km) walk to the bridge. By boat, it is approximately 50 miles (80km) from Wahweap, Bullfrog, or Halls Crossing to Rainbow Bridge. You may also backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required. You may write to: Navajo Nation, Parks and Recreation Department, Box 9000, Window Rock, Arizona 86515.

Rainbow Bridge National Monument, PO Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040-1507

Visitor Information 928-608-6404

Headquarters 928-608-6200

Emergency 800-582-4351

By Fax 928-608-6283

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