Driving south on Highway 190, pull-off areas are abundant with unique geological formations. Today we stopped at yet another one. We drove to the Natural Bridge Canyon trailhead and found it packed. Fortunately, someone was pulling out of a parking spot just as we arrived.
The hike started the same as most Death Valley canyon hikes, along a large wash.
Walking along, we noticed a sizeable dry waterfall plunging straight down from the canyon wall. It made us pause and visualise what that would look like with water spilling over into the fast-moving river.
It wasn’t long before we reached the arch, which is pretty impressive. The span is one of those features that you don’t have to make a half day-long hike to get to. It’s effortless and very close to the parking lot.
Dozens of people were there, so we continued walking further, passing the 15-foot dry waterfalls.
The canyon narrowed, and the walls loomed either side.
We walked almost to the very end, then returned to the bridge.
We wanted to see if we could snap some photos without too many people being around.
What Caused the Bridge?
Over millennia, water and flash floods eroded the rocks forming the canyon we see today. Finding the path of least resistance, it has carved this massive rock formation.
The arch or bridge, in this case, is 35-feet think and connects one side of the canyon to the other.
Our Takeaway
Although any natural formation is spectacular, we were a little disappointed.
The trail was hectic, and it was impossible to take any photos without someone being in it. On this occasion, there was a group of girls who monopolised the arch without any consideration of others. Even after they had taken about a million selfies, did their hair and make-up, they sat in the middle larking around! Hey Ho!
It wasn’t as grand as Arches National Park but was worth the short hike.
in a nutshell
- Badwater Road – 13.5-miles south of Highway 190
- Signposted
- Pit-toilet at the trailhead
- Large parking area
- The natural bridge is 1/3-mile from the parking area
- The trail takes you up the wash of the canyon and continues after the bridge for a short distance
- Wear suitable footwear
- Take plenty of water with you
- Leave no trace. Pack it in – pack it out
location map of the natural bridge canyon trail
- For more Death Valley experiences, click the link below.
- You may like to venture to Joshua Tree National Park. Click the link to find out more.
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