Natural Bridges National Monument
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Natural Bridges National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located in the southeast of Utah, in the western United States. It features the second and third largest natural bridges in the world.
The elevation ranges from 1,700 to 2,000 m (5,500 feet to 6,500 feet). At higher elevations pinyon-juniper forests grow, giving way to shrubs and grasses at lower elevations. In the canyons, where there is more water, there are willow and cottonwood trees.
Natural bridges are formed through erosion by moving water. The remaining rock spans the canyon like a bridge, hence the name. The three bridges in the park are named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu, which are all Hopi names.
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Attractions
The main attractions are Bridge View Drive which winds along the park and goes by all three bridges, and hiking down to the base of the bridges. There is also a campground and picnic areas within the park. Electricity in the park comes entirely from a large solar array near the visitors center. According to Backpacker magazine, Natural Bridges National Monument has the least light pollution in the continental United States.
Image:Sipapu bridge.752.jpg
Image:Owachomo bridge.jpg
| Bridge | Height | Span | Width | Thickness |
| Owachomo | 32 m (106 feet) | 55 m (180 feet) | 8 m (27 feet) | 3 m (9 feet) |
| Sipapu | 67 m (220 feet) | 82 m (268 feet) | 9 m (31 feet) | 16 m (53 feet) |
| Kachina | 64 m (210 feet) | 62 m (204 feet) | 13 m (44 feet) | 28 m (93 feet) |
Biology
- Animals include: birds, rabbits, lizards, bobcats, coyotes, bears, mule dear, mountain lions.
- Plants include: willow, cottonwood, douglas fir, ponderosa pine, pinyon pine, juniper, grasses, shrubs.
History
In 1904 the National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges and the area was designated a National Monument April 16, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. It is Utah's first National Monument.