An area first discovered by prospector Cass Hite, Utah's Natural Bridges National Monument was established just a few years before the creation of the National Parks Service. Catching the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt, the park was established to protect three very large natural bridges and countless Ancestral Puebloan artifacts. The General Land Office renamed the park's three bridges with Hopi Indian names, Owachomo, Sipapu and Kachina. These natural sandstone bridges, created by ancient active streams, span distances of 180 to 268 feet. Natural bridges are usually formed differently than natural arches. While bridges are formed by running water, arch structures are created by a slow process of seeping moisture, frost wedging and wind-blown sand.
   The one-way Bridge View Drive circles the park with pull-outs for each bridge overlook and the Horsecollar Ruins. Down in the canyons, where moisture-loving cottonwoods and willows grow today, Puebloans once utilized the moist soils throughout the area. By 1300 a long dry period forced most of the inhabitants southward, leaving behind their cliff dwellings, tools and rock art. For the avid explorer unmaintained trails, following Armstrong and White canyons, connect all three bridges and cover about 12 miles. It is asked of all hikers not to enter the dwellings, mark on cliff walls or touch the ancient rock art. This fragile evidence, including petroglyphs, pottery and stone tools, provide hints of early habitation during the archaic period from 7000 BCE to 500 CE.
   The main picture here shows the 180 foot span of Owachomo Natural Bridge, the oldest of the three natural bridges. Thinning to only nine feet thick at its midpoint, Owachomo is the last bridge site on the park's loop road. An access trail leads out to this bridge, as with the others, and a short hike will lead park-goers down to a close-up view of Owachomo Bridge.
   For those who enjoy the night sky, Natural Bridges National Monument was honored with the world's first International Dark Sky Park designation. About an hour's drive from the city of Blanding, this park is fairly remote and camping options are spartan. So, enjoying the night sky isn't as simple as stepping out of your RV, but the rewards for those who stay are huge. First time skywatchers are truly amazed at the massive amount of stars in the sky.

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