At an elevation of 8,627 feet above sea level, I stopped by Bryce Natural Bridge at Bryce National Park in Utah on my way back to the entrance of the park, which is also the exit. Although the name tends to be misleading, Bryce Natural Bridge is one of several natural arches in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Bryce Natural Bridge at Bryce National Park in Utah
Bryce Natural Bridge is sculpted from some of the reddest rock of the Claron Formation — which is rich in iron oxide minerals — and therefore poses a stark contrast to the dark green of the trees of the Ponderosa forest that peeks through the arch from the canyon below. The layer of light snow added another level of depth to the aforementioned contrast.
“Bridges form through the erosion of rock by streams or rivers”, according to the official Internet web site of Bryce Canyon National Park. “This window or arch formed from a combination of processes. Frost wedging, the expanding of cracks in rock as water turns to ice, weakened the rock. Dissolution, the chemical dissolving of rock by rainwater, chewed away at the top and sides of this wall of rock. Finally gravity pulled loose the weakened pockets of rock at the center creating the hole you see. Thus, Bryce Canyon’s ‘bridges’, including Natural Bridge, are spectacular examples of arches that, like the hoodoos, are constantly at risk of destruction as the forces of erosion continue to wear the rock away.”
A small stand of Quaking Aspen trees are located in the southern corner of the parking lot. “Historic photographs suggest that aspen were much more common throughout the southern portion of the park prior to intense fire suppression efforts of the past 75 years. Aspen are easily shaded out by spruce and Douglas Fir. You will notice several areas of burned trees as you drive through the park. This is evidence of our prescribed fire program. By returning small and safe fires to the ecosystem we can slowly restore a natural mix of forest types, providing better habitat for a greater diversity of animals. Also near the parking lot you might find Markagunt Penstemon.”
Final Boarding Call
Visitors must drive approximately 11.4 miles from the entrance to get to Bryce Natural Bridge.
Give yourself at least ten minutes to enjoy the beauty of Bryce Natural Bridge, which has its own viewpoint along the main road of Bryce National Park.
Bryce Canyon National Park celebrates 100 years of existence in 2023; and it is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Bryce Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 640201
Bryce, Utah 84764
435-834-5322
Credit cards are accepted.
All Weekly Passes are valid for seven days.
Weekly passes are non-transferable and are valid for seven consecutive days — including the date of purchase. Weekly passes may be upgraded to annual passes within seven days of purchase.
- Private Vehicle: $35.00. Admits private, non-commercial vehicle with a maximum capacity of 15 passengers and all occupants.
- Motorcycle: $30.00. Admits one non-commercial motorcycle.
- Per Person: $20.00. Admits one individual with no car. This weekly pass is typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge.
- Non-Commercial Organized Groups. Organized groups such as Scouts, Rotary, Clubs, Youth Groups, Churches, Reunions, etc. that do not qualify for an Academic Fee Waiver are charged as follows:
- $35.00 Admits private, non-commercial vehicle with a maximum capacity of 15 passengers.
- $20.00 per person for non-commercial vehicles with a minimum capacity of 16 passengers. Fees will not exceed the commercial fee for the same-sized vehicle. Youth 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge. Individuals or families with any valid Annual or Lifetime pass may use their pass for entry at the per person rate. The pass and photographic identification must be present upon entry.
Please refer to the National Parks of Utah and Colorado: Itinerary and Master Guide article — which is still a work in progress — for links to other articles at The Gate With Brian Cohen which pertain to the national parks of Utah and Colorado.
All photographs ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
