Sipapu Overlook Trail

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The Sipapu Overlook Trail is a great way to view the largest bridge in the National Monument without too much of a workout. Sipapu is also the second largest natural bridge in the US. From the parking area, take the Sipapu Trail which descends some slickrock slabs with steps cut out to ease the walk. 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 Sipapu Trail to the canyon bottom branches off to the right, but keep going straight for the Overlook Trail. Arrive at an exposed spit of rock that juts out into the canyon, look down and to your left to see Sipapu Bridge itself. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot once you've finished marveling at Mother Nature's handiwork.

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.