Sipapu Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views

Sipapu Bridge is the second largest natural bridge in the US. From the parking area, the trail descends some slickrock slabs with steps cut out to ease the journey. Traverse west along the wide rock bench, keeping back from the edge. This is a neat spot to peer across the canyon rim. After a series of steel stairs, you must climb down a short log ladder to get over a cliff band.

Continue along the cliff under a shady stretch of trail that is overhung by sheer rock. Up ahead you can see people traveling along a nearly level and very picturesque walkway of rock. These unique features of the trail make it memorable even for frequent desert visitors. The main Sipapu Trail to the canyon bottom branches off to the right, but if you want a quick detour, you can go straight for the Sipapu Overlook Trail.

Back on the main Sipapu Trail, switchback steeply down through desert vegetation pausing to look around at the canyon walls looming all around. Back on slickrock, use the handrails to scoot down two friction spots, gripping with the soles of your shoes. Two more wooden ladders and steps carved into the rock aid the descent through steep areas. Finally, you arrive on the canyon floor where the sandy wash and seasonal White Canyon Creek lay. Explore around this area, making your way under the arch and reveling in the brilliant reds and oranges of the striped rock walls. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot once you've finished marveling at Mother Nature's handiwork. Pause to take breaks on the arduous ascent, and, as always, bring adequate water and sun protection.

As the park's brochures and info boards explain, natural bridges are created differently than arches. Bridges are formed by and span streams of flowing water. Arches are formed by weather-powered erosion or pounding waves.

Gamble oak, junipers, cottonwood, buffaloberry.