Rainbow Bridge National Monument - Utah / MOUNTAIN ZONE NATIONAL PARKS DIRECTORY

Rainbow Bridge National Monument - Utah

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Rainbow Bridge is the world's largest natural bridge. The span has undoubtedly inspired people throughout time--from the neighboring American Indian tribes who consider Rainbow Bridge sacred, to the 300,000 people from around the world who visit it each year. Please visit Rainbow Bridge in a spirit that honors and respects the cultures to whom it is sacred.

While Rainbow Bridge is a separate unit of the National Park Service, it is proximate to and administered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Location Information
Operating Hours/Seasons
Reservations/Permits/Fees
Climate, Recommended: Clothing
Facilities and Opportunities: (including trails, camping, concessions)
Recommended Activities
Visitation
Special Events Programs
Adjacent Visitor Attractions
Additional Information

Location Information

Location:
San Juan County, UT, immediately adjacent to Navajo Mountain and the Navajo Reservation.

Address:
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
P.O. Box 1507
Page, AZ 86040

Telephone:
(520) 608-6404
24 Hour Emergency (800) 582-4351

Directions:
Public access to Rainbow Bridge is by boat across Lake Powell. Trips to the bridge may be made in private, rental, and tour boats. A courtesy dock is available for short-term docking while people make the 1/2 mile (.8km) walk to the bridge. By boat, it is approximately 50 miles (80km) from Wahweap, Bullfrog, or Halls Crossing to Rainbow Bridge.

Some people backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required. You may write to: Navajo Nation, Parks and Recreation Department, Box 308, Window Rock, Arizona 86515.

Transportation:
If you do not have your own boat you may rent one from ARAMARK, the Glen Canyon NRA concessioner, or take one of the boat tours from Wahweap, Bullfrog, or Halls Crossing Marinas to the bridge.

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Operating Hours/Seasons

Dangling Rope Marina, the closest source of first aid, water, gas, and supplies, is open year-round. A ranger station there is staffed intermittently year-round. Rangers are at Rainbow Bridge daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, less frequently other times of the year.

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Reservations/Permits/Fees

Fees, Costs, Rates:
There is no entrance fee to Rainbow Bridge, but fees are charged to enter Glen Canyon NRA. Commercial fees/rates are available upon request to ARAMARK (1-800-528-6154).

Reservations/Permits:
Special Use Permits are required for special activities or organizations wishing to utilize the area for official functions. A Film Permit is required for any commercial filming activities. For further information call (520) 608-6200. A hiking permit must be obtained from the Navajo Nation in order to backpack around Navajo Mountain to Rainbow Bridge. Call (520) 871-6647 or 4941 for further information.

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Climate, Recommended Clothing

Summers are extremely hot with little, if any, shade. Winters are moderately cold with night time lows often below freezing. Spring weather is highly variable with extended periods of strong winds. Fall is generally mild. Temperatures range from 110ェ (43イ) in June & July to Oェ (-18イ) in December & January. Although precipitation is generally less than 6 inches (15cm) annually, both heavy rains and flash flooding can occur. Recommend lightweight, light colored clothing in summer, including a hat. Layers of clothing are best other times of year.

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Facilities and Opportunities

Visitor Center/Exhibits:
There is a small ranger station at Dangling Rope Marina, approximately 10 miles (16km) south of Rainbow Bridge. Dangling Rope is accessible only by water. This ranger station is staffed by park personnel on an intermittent basis. There is also bulletin board information at Dangling Rope and outdoor exhibits at Rainbow Bridge.

Trails/Roadways:
There are no roadways. There is a short 1/2 mile (.8km) trail from the Rainbow Bridge courtesy dock to Rainbow Bridge (trail length varies due to fluctuating lake levels). Travel off-trail is not permitted in order to revegetate trampled areas.

Programs/Activities:
Rangers are stationed at Rainbow Bridge from Memorial Day through September to answer questions and present programs on the natural and cultural history of Rainbow Bridge.

Lodging & Camping Facilities:
There are NO lodging or camping facilities at or near Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Lodging and camping facilities are available at some of the marinas within Glen Canyon National Park. Lake shore camping from boats is available within Glen Canyon NRA, but not within Rainbow Bridge National Monument boundaries.

Food/Supplies:
Basic supplies can be obtained at Dangling Rope Marina, approximately 10 miles (16km) south of Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell. Accessible only by water, Dangling Rope has boat gas, limited groceries, water, boat pumpout, and rest rooms. The courtesy dock at Rainbow Bridge has rest rooms only.

Other Concessions:
The park's concessioner, ARAMARK, provides boat tours to Rainbow Bridge on a daily basis from May through September and intermittently other times of the year. Both half-day and full-day tours are available at Wahweap. Full-day tours only from Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. For further information, contact ARAMARK at (800) 528-6154.

Accessibility:
Wheelchairs have access to the docks and facilities at Dangling Rope. They also have access along the courtesy dock at Rainbow Bridge to exhibits and a view of Rainbow Bridge. Assistance is required to go further along the paved trail.

Special Needs:
Park medics are generally in the Dangling Rope/Rainbow Bridge area. Emergency medical evacuation by helicopter may be available. The nearest medical facilities are in Page, AZ, approximately 40 miles (64km) south. Transportation would be by boat or aircraft.

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Recommended Activities/Park Use

Although Rainbow Bridge is immediately adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, it is a separate unit of the National Park System. Rainbow Bridge was declared a National Monument in 1910 and, as such, the range of permitted activities is smaller than for the recreation area. Visitors may take the trail from the courtesy dock to the viewing area for the bridge.

We ask that visitors respect the religious significance of Rainbow Bridge to neighboring tribes and consider viewing Rainbow Bridge from the viewing area rather than walking up to or under the bridge. Traditional water-based recreation activities such as swimming, fishing, water skiing, etc. are not allowed anywhere within the monument.

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Visitation

300,000 per year. Highest May through September; lowest in January.

Basic Visit Recommendations:
Visitors should plan on a minimum of four hours to boat to the bridge, hike to the viewing area and return to their original destination. A minimum of six hours if they leave from the Hite area of Lake Powell. Boat tours are 1/2 day (Wahweap only) and full day (8 hours).

Visitor Impacts:
Because of the sacred nature of Rainbow Bridge and because American Indians still come to this spot to pray and make offerings, we ask that visitors respect these long-standing beliefs. We request your voluntary compliance in not walking up to or under Rainbow Bridge. In addition, off-trail travel may harm plant life and cause irreparable erosion of fragile desert soils.

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Special Events Programs

There are no recurring special events. To check on other special programs, call (520) 608-6404.

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Adjacent Visitor Attractions

Rainbow Bridge National Monument is immediately adjacent to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

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Additional Information

For additional information, write: Rainbow Bridge National Monument, P.O. Box 1507, Page, AZ 86040. Or call (520) 608-6404. For additional concession information, call (800) 528-6154.

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