The Rainbow Bridge was designated a National Monument in 1910. Located in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, you get to this giant arch two ways: by a backcountry trek of 50 miles, or by a National Park Service boat from Lake Powell’s Wahweap boat launch. I chose the latter.
The Monument connects us with many Native American cultures. Hopi, Kaibab Paiute, Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, Ute Mountain Ute, and Zuni people have words/history about this place — “shrine,” “sacred place,” “bent rock,” and a divine “rock rainbow to cross the canyon,” (which is how it got its name.) This place dazzles today’s travelers, too, when you see it and realize you could fit a 25-story building underneath it!
When you decide to visit by boat, book ahead on the Monument’s website. The boat ride I took was fast and scenic (as you saw in my “Glen Canyon – Lake Powell” video a couple of posts ago.) There and back took a good part of the morning and afternoon, but they served a box lunch and narration of the surrounding landscapes kept things lively and interesting. {Note: boat trips may be cancelled by high winds.}
If you enjoy the American Southwest’s Canyon Country, you will be pleased by Rainbow Bridge. It ranks up there as one of my favorite arches in the world.