Nature & Science

At first glance, Natural Bridges is a quiet, empty world. Nothing seems to move. The only sound is wind moving through the canyons. If you sit and wait a while, you’ll start to hear the shushing of Cottonwood leaves moving below. The scurrying of a squirrel sends a pebble clattering down the slickrock. Stay even longer to hear the trilling cry of a canyon wren and pick out the ruby-toned buds of claret cup cactus nestled among white stone. If you return tomorrow, a thunderstorm may send a flood twisting down White Canyon. If you return next year, Owachomo Bridge may no longer be standing.

The momentary stillness of canyon country is deceptive. The same processes that formed this seemingly eternal landscape are still at work, continually changing the world of Natural Bridges.

 

Learn about Nature

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  Geology

  How did the bridges form?

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  Plants

  Learn about the variety of plants that grow in Natural Bridges

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  Animals

  Learn about the different animals that call Natural Bridges home.

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  Discover the Dark

  Home to some of the darkest skies in the country, Natural Bridges was the world's first "International Dark Sky Park."

 

Collared lizard

NPS/Andrew Kuhn

Explore Biodiversity

Have you ever taken a picture of a flower, or butterfly, or an unusual mushroom? You can also keep track of the biodiversity you see when you are in a national park, or where ever you go, with iNaturalist. Learn more about how you can help document the various life forms in our national parks. Explore Biodiversity
Check out the Natural Bridges iNaturalist project.