There are currently 419 sites that comprise the National Park System. A mere 62 of those are designated as national parks and receive the lion’s share of attention, funding, and visitors. Books have been written about each, and there’s no shortage of information about them online. But what about the other 357 sites?

Known by a surprising number of designations – from national monument to  national battlefield to national lakeshore – the vast majority of the National Park Service’s protected areas aren’t actually “national parks.”

The Roarbots’ series of NPS Adventures takes a big-picture view of one of these sites and highlights some of the best activities it has to offer. This almost always includes activities and suggestions we can recommend from personal experience. And pictures. There are lots and lots of pictures. Glad to have you aboard!

Welcome to Rainbow Bridge National Monument!

Stats

• Rainbow Bridge National Monument
• Location: Utah
• Established: 1910
• Admission: Free (but access to the site is via relatively expensive private boat, which also requires a $30 admission fee to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area)
• Social Sites: Facebook, Instagram (Rainbow Bridge is managed by the folks at Glen Canyon NRA)

Geologically, the history of Rainbow Bridge can be traced back 30 million years. Magma in Earth’s crust uplifted Navajo Mountain, which eventually created rivers, which began to carve canyons, which slowly eroded the sandstone to create bridges and arches.

Historically, although Native Americans knew about Rainbow Bridge (and saw it as a sacred religious site) for a long time, it wasn’t until 1909 that white explorers Byron Cummings and William Douglass intentionally set out to “discover” the mythical bridge. Less than a year later, President Taft designated Rainbow Bridge a national monument.

Keep in mind that in 1909, this was true isolation. Lake Powell wouldn’t start forming until 1963 (with the completion of Glen Canyon Dam), and it wouldn’t be until 1980 that the lake reached its present height. Still, despite the hardships faced by the Cummings/Douglass expedition, they hardly “discovered” it. And Taft’s “protection” of the bridge only meant it would become a magnet for scores of tourists.

Indeed, even though several Native American tribes saw (and continue to see) the bridge as an incredibly holy site and required special prayers before walking beneath the bridge (through the arch), visitors to Rainbow Bridge were allowed to do exactly that for decades. It wasn’t until 1995 that the National Park Service worked with neighboring tribes and began asking visitors to “consider” not walking up to or under the bridge.

(Click on all pictures to embiggen.)

Getting There/Lake Powell

Even though Rainbow Bridge is adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, it’s a separate NPS unit unto itself.

The most popular (and most convenient) way to reach Rainbow Bridge is via boat. Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas (operated by Aramark) is the only NPS concessioner authorized to take passengers to the site, which means, unfortunately, it’s not exactly cheap. At the time of writing, the cost is $126 per adult and $80 for children 3-12. (That’s in addition to the $30 Glen Canyon entrance fee collected before you can even park at Wahweap. The good news is that fee is covered by your National Parks Pass, if you have one.)

Unless you have access to your own boat, this is your only choice. And if you’re a family, this can get really spendy really quickly.

Nevertheless, if you choose this route, you won’t regret it. The boat trip is less a “water taxi” to Rainbow Bridge and more of a daylong tour. It’s an 8-hour (ish) roundtrip journey across about 100 miles of stunning Lake Powell. The boat stops at Rainbow Bridge (obvs) and remote Dangling Rope Marina (for a quick potty and snack break), and it also travels through Padre Bay, the largest bay on Lake Powell.

I should note that the boat is stocked with water, coffee, and lemonade, but there is no food or other provisions for sale. The stop at Dangling Rope Marina (on the return trip to Wahweap) is your chance to get ice cream, food, and whatnot.

Getting There/Navajo Mountain

If you’re looking for an alternative to the Lake Powell route – and you have considerably more time, energy, and experience – there are two difficult trails that approach Rainbow Bridge overland from the south. Both trails are over Navajo Tribal Lands, skirt Navajo Mountain, and require advance backcountry permits from the Navajo Nation.

Note that this is rugged, isolated country. The trails traverse rough canyons, aren’t maintained, and have few signs. They aren’t for the casual or inexperienced backpacker. The NPS has compiled basic trail guides for the north trail (17.5 miles) and south trail (16 miles), both of which can be reached from Page, Arizona.

Since both trails are about 17 miles one way, you’ll have to camp somewhere on the route. However, camping is prohibited within the boundaries of Rainbow Bridge NM, so you’ll need to know your location and camp on Navajo land. Plan on 2 days minimum.

Around Rainbow Bridge

There’s a quick and easy 1-mile “hike” from the boat dock that goes deeper into Bridge Canyon and up to Rainbow Bridge. Much of that trail is boardwalk and relatively level, and there are two shade shelters and several information signs along the way.

This canyon has been used by various native people – as a home, migration route, and spiritual site – for at least 10,000 years. Both the canyon and bridge are profoundly important to no less than six Native American cultures.

Once you’ve arrived at Rainbow Bridge, it’s hard to find a bad angle of the bridge itself. Standing in its shadow, you’ll forget the financial and/or physical toll it took to get there. It’ll all be worth it.

The trail continues around to the other side of the bridge, which is pretty much a no-brainer if you’ve made it this far. However, going much farther up the canyon takes you onto Navajo Tribal Lands and requires a permit. Also, hiking off the clearly designated path is a no-no (i.e., no scrambling down to the base of the bridge and looking straight up at it, no running back and forth through the archway).

Basically, there’s not a whole lot to “do” other than look at Rainbow Bridge from various angles. But honestly, that’s all you really need.

Junior Ranger

Like most NPS sites, Rainbow Bridge has a park-centric Junior Ranger program. Rangers are stationed at a shaded spot near the base of the bridge and have the booklets on hand for kids to complete. The booklets are “reversible” with activities for Glen Canyon NRA on the flip side.

If you’re not making the trek out here, kids can also request, complete, and get a Rainbow Bridge Junior Ranger badge at Glen Canyon visitor centers. However, if you’re a passport stamp collector, the rangers at Rainbow Bridge have a unique stamp that you can only get there.