Sipapu Bridge Trail Guide
There's three bridges in Natural Bridges National Monument, and you're able to hike to all of them, including the largest: Sipapu Bridge. This short but steep trail takes you down into the canyon, literally beneath the bridge itself, providing views of colorful cliff faces, ancient ruins, and more along the way.
When to Visit
​
Natural Bridges National Monument does not close, but if you're looking for the time with the best weather and least amount of people, late spring and fall are probably your best bet. Summers in this desert park are hot, while winters are cold, and can bring snow--the trail to Sipapu Bridge will likely be icy and slippery in colder months. While it does see a decent amount of foot traffic in the late spring and early summer, Natural Bridges is relatively remote, and is no where near as crowded as any of Utah's Mighty Five parks.
How to Get There
​
Find Natural Bridges within the Bears Ears region of San Juan County, in southeastern Utah--nearest the towns of Bluff and Mexican Hat. Utah State Route 95 runs directly into the park, at which point you'll hop on the nine-mile-long Bridge View Drive, the one-way road through the park. The Sipapu Bridge trail is about 1/4th of the way down the road from the beginning of Bridge View Drive, just past the Sipapu Bridge Viewpoint--it is marked by sign and you'll find a parking lot for it as well.
Sipapu Bridge Trail
​
Time: 1 - 2 hours.
Distance: 1.4 miles roundtrip.
1.4 miles isn't that long, but the trail to the bottom of Sipapu Bridge is pretty much up or down, with only a little bit of level ground mixed in. Begin the trail from the parking lot, as some very minor switchbacks eventually bring you parallel with the cliffside to a long set of metal stairs--take them, because how else are you going to get down? Shortly after the stairs the first of several wooden ladders greets you--they're plenty sturdy, but might not be suitable for all. You get your first good look at the vibrant cliffside on your left here though: pink with black stripes running through it.
Continue the trail as it runs along the cliff wall, sloping downwards in places, and down a second set of stairs. Keep your eye peeled for a small pueblo ruin on your left--while you're able to get quite close for a look, hikers are not allowed inside of it.
The pueblo ruin built into the cliff's overhang.
About Me
Hi there, I'm Dan: videographer, travel-addict, and beer-lover. I left corporate life behind to start my own video business and travel the world. Want to know more about me and Dan Treks?
Top Posts
Yosemite's most popular and perilous hike: Half Dome
​
​
​
Boost your creativity through travel
​
​
​
​
National Park Guides
Videos
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
From here you should see a sign indicating the rest of the trail down to the bridge, or to an overlook. Detour straight if you want a glimpse of Sipapu Bridge from the cliff's edge, otherwise, follow the sign and trail downwards, as a series of switchbacks begins taking you closer--you'll begin glimpsing the bridge more and more from here. Eventually you'll reach a bowl area, where two more wooden ladders, and handrails help you navigate the steeper portions and smooth rock as you inch closer to the bottom.
The railings and ladders down to the very bottom.
Navigate this part cautiously, and once you've made it to the bottom of the last ladder, that's pretty much it! The trail slopes down through some high grass and shrubs, and you're pretty much under the bridge at this point. This part of the trail connects with the longer Full Loop Trail, but for everyone else, take your time down here in the shade of the park's largest bridge, before heading back up the way you came.
The underside of Sipapu Bridge.
There's two other bridges in the park, and for more information on seeing and hiking to those, click here. Natural Bridges is located in an area full of amazing scenery and hidden gems; if that sounds like it might be up your alley, click here for things to do and see in the area around Mexican Hat, Utah.
Muley Point is just down the road from Natural Bridges near the town of Mexican Hat,
and you probably didn't even know it.