THING TO DO

Natural Bridge Trail

Gray stone rock arches over a creek drainage.
Natural Bridge near Bridge Bay Marina.

NPS/Diane Renkin

The natural bridge is a 51 foot (18 m) cliff of rhyolite rock cut through by Bridge Creek. The hiking trail meanders through the forest for .7 of a mile (1.2 km). It then joins a service road and continues to the right (west) for .4 of a mile (0.6 km) to the Natural Bridge. The short but steep switchback trail to the top of the bridge starts in front of the interpretive exhibit. To protect this fragile resource, the top of the bridge is closed to hiking and biking. Past the natural bridge, the trail crosses a creek then continues along the cliff before rejoining the road. Exercise caution along the creek bed for wet and slippery rocks.

Safety notes: Trail closed until early summer while bears feed on spawning trout in Bridge Creek. Inquire at the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center for opening date and other closures. The bike trail to Natural Bridge begins just south of the marina off the Grand Loop Road.

Trailheads: Bridge Bay Marina parking lot near the campground entrance road.

Details
This is a 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
This trail is located in the central part of the park, with two trailheads located in and around the Bridge Bay Marina.

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Last updated: June 29, 2018