Directions

Most visitors arrive to Rainbow Bridge via a boat ride

NPS

Getting to the Monument

Rainbow Bridge is only accessible by boat on Lake Powell or by land over a 14+ mile trail from the Navajo Nation. See the map to understand the monument's remote location.

By Boat

Trips to Rainbow Bridge may be made across Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area using private, rental, or tour boats. From Wahweap, Antelope Point, and Dangling Rope, travel north. From Bullfrog and Halls Crossing, travel south.
Proceed to the mouth of Forbidding Canyon (buoy 49), where a floating sign on the right marks the canyon entrance. Follow the canyon about 2 miles (4 km) to another sign that points the way left through a narrow passage. Proceed with caution! Beyond the wakeless buoys, go slowly so that no wakes, or waves, are made. At current lake levels, the dock at Rainbow Bridge does not reach land. Beach your boat and walk through muck to the trail at your own risk. There is a roughly 2 mile (3.2 km) walk to the bridge.

By Hike

You may backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required.

 

The floating restrooms at the dock are the only facilities in the monument.

NPS

At the Monument

Most visitors would arrive via boat to the park courtesy dock, available for short-term docking. At current lake levels, the dock at Rainbow Bridge does not reach land. Beach your boat and walk through muck to the trail at your own risk.