Directions

Most visitors arrive to Rainbow Bridge via a boat ride

NPS

Getting to the Monument

Rainbow Bridge is only accessible by boat on Lake Powell or by land over a 14+ mile trail from the Navajo Nation. There are no roads to Rainbow Bridge. See the map to understand the monument's remote location.

By Boat

Trips to Rainbow Bridge may be made across Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area using private, rental, or tour boats. From Wahweap, Antelope Point, and Dangling Rope, travel north. From Bullfrog and Halls Crossing, travel south.
Proceed to the mouth of Forbidding Canyon (buoy 49), where a floating sign on the right marks the canyon entrance. Follow the canyon about 2 miles (4 km) to another sign that points the way left through a narrow passage. Proceed with caution! Beyond the wakeless buoys, go slowly so that no wakes, or waves, are made.

By Hike

You may backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required.
Pack out what you bring in. There are no facilites or trash receptacles along the trail to Rainbow Bridge in any direction. Leave this land better than you found it - take all trash you make back with you.

 

The floating restrooms at the dock are the only facilities in the monument.

NPS

At the Monument

Most visitors would arrive via boat to the park courtesy dock, available for short-term docking. Floating docks, walkways, and restrooms have been re-anchored at the back of the canyon providing access to the Rainbow Bridge trail. Visitors will enjoy an approximately 1.2-mile hike to the national monument.

Pack out what you bring in. There are no facilites or trash receptacles along the trail to Rainbow Bridge in any direction. Leave this land better than you found it - take all trash you make back with you.

 

Trail to Rainbow Bridge

Begins at Courtesy Boat Dock and ends at Observation Area

Approximately 1 mile (1.6 km) one way depending on lake level
Restrooms available at Courtesy Boat Dock

Hikers can continue on trail around east side of bridge which ends at boundary fence. On the other side of the bridge are plaques honoring the Pauite guides who led white explorers to Rainbow Bridge. Echo Camp, a historic rest area for long-distance hikers, is just on the other side of the fence.

Hiking beyond Echo Camp requires an advance permit from Navajo Nation Parks & Recreation.