Rainbow Bridge has deep religious and spiritual
significance to area Native American tribes. It is called "Nonnezoshi"
by the Navajo people, or the "rainbow turned to stone." Special
prayers are offered before passing beneath the bridge and failure to do so is
believed to bring misfortune. In 1995, the Nation Park Service began requesting
that visitors refrain from passing under the monument in an effort to respect
the longstanding beliefs of the Native American people.
By far the most popular destination on Lake
Powell, Rainbow Bridge stands approximately 290 feet high, or a dozen stories
high, creating an
awe-inspiring sight. It is made of Navajo Sandstone at the top and Kayenta
Sandstone at the base and was formed when the drainage in the stream bed broke
through to the other side of a meander creating an ever widening hole in the
ancient cliff face. In 1910, the geological significance of the monument caught
the attention of the public and the site was named a national monument by
President William Taft. The largest natural bridge on earth, Rainbow Bridge is
one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
The bridge can be reached only by boat, horseback
or on foot. Boat and air tours are offered daily throughout
most of the summer season. Visitors in private and rental boats may also use the
courtesy dock at the monument, and then walk less than a mile along improved
trail to the viewing area. A portion of the trail to the first viewing area is
accessible to most wheel chairs.
Most people travel by water to Rainbow Bridge, some 50 miles from Wahweap,
Bullfrog or Halls Crossing on Lake Powell. From the dock landing in Bridge
Canyon, Rainbow Bridge is about a half-mile walk along a moderate trail.
Visitors can also reach Rainbow Bridge by a 14-mile hiking trail from Navajo
Mountain Trading Post or a 13-mile trail from abandoned Rainbow Lodge.
Welcome
to Page-Lake Powell
