Death Valley – Natural Bridge Trail

Introduction:

What? :

The Natural Bridge Trail in Death Valley provides a great hiking experience in a relatively easy and not long hike.

The 1 mile round-trip (about 45 min visit) trail starts from the parking lot, enters the canyon and after a short walk you will reach the natural arch that spans over the canyon. The view of the tall red rock walls and the large arch is dramatic

The hiking effort to the arch is modest enough for families and novice hikers.

You can extend this hike behind the arch, keep walking in the canyon, climb over a few dry waterfalls until the one you can’t overcome or find a side trail that climbs out of the canyon.

As always in Death Valley, Just remember: stay safe in extreme desert temperatures, choose the right time of day, and wear good shoes.

Where? : 

The trailhead is located at the end of Natural Bridge Road—an unpaved but generally well-maintained gravel road, about 13.5 miles (22 km) south of CA‑190 via Badwater Road. there is a clear sign at the turnout.

This is a dirt road but well maintained and most vehicles, including sedans, can manage it, just drive slowly up the road.

Google Map Link

When? :

The park is open year-round.

The recommended time to visit here is late fall, winter and early spring, summer is just too hot.

Winter early morning and night can be cold, and temperatures may be below freezing so come prepared.

Other Death Valley Blogs:

• Death Valley
• Death Valley Road Trip
• Mojave Desert – Highway 127 from Death Valley to Baker
• Beatty Nevada and Rhyolite Ghost Town
• Death Valley – Titus Canyon Drive
• Death Valley – Ibex Dunes and Saratoga Springs
• Death Valley – Striped Butte Valley 4x4 Drive
• Death Valley – Sidewinder Canyon
• Death Valley – Badwater
• Death Valley – Artist's Palette Drive
• Death Valley – Hiking Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch
• Death Valley – Zabriskie Point
• Death Valley – Dante’s View
• Death Valley – Salt springs sunset visit
• Death Valley – Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes
• Death Valley – Ubehebe Crater
• Death Valley – Racetrack Playa
• Death Valley – Saline Valley, Salt Lake
• Death Valley – Saline Valley, Warm Springs

Due note 1: 

This hike is inside the Death Valley National Park so there is a fee of $25 to enter the park (pay at the visitor center or kiosk).

Due note 2: 

There are restrooms at the parking lot.

No water source in the parking lot.

Although this is a relatively short and easy hike, take enough water with you !

Due note 3: 

The dirt road leading to the parking lot trailhead is open to all vehicles but it is not recommended to RVs.

Due note 4: 

When visiting or hiking at the Death Valley during winter months use several layers of clothing. You can start your day with cold temperatures during sunrise to a very hot midday.

Due note 5: 

This is not a long or challenging hike and can be done by everyone. This is not a recommended hike during the hot summer months.

Due note 6: 

The trail floor is rocky so sturdy shoes with good ankle support are recommended.

Due note 7: 

Limited to no cellar reception in the park.

Due note 8: 

There is some minimal shade in the canyon but as anywhere in Death Valley use Sunscreen even in winter months.

Due note 9: 

Pets are not allowed on any trail in Death Valley National Park, even if carried. Do not leave your animal in your vehicle. You may walk your pet on dirt roads.

My thoughts:

I really like this hike.
It is a great combination of short and easy hike up to the arch and you can extend it and have some fun by walking up the canyon and climbing over dry waterfalls.

You will probably not be the only one here but it is usually not a very crowded trail and the narrowing red rock canyon walls and the large overhanging arch is impressive.

The Hike:

The hiking trail starts from the parking lot at the end of the road.

After a short walk up the trail turn left and enter the wide canyon, from here there is no official path but you can’t get lost; just follow the canyon wash upstream.

After about 0.4 mile from the parking lot you will see the arch spanning over the canyon.

The impressive arch formed by thousands of years of flash flood erosion that created the canyon. At some point the water flow managed to penetrate the rock where the arch stood and today the canyon is flowing below.

You can climb to the left side of the arch, be careful on the fist wall climbing, and see the old canyon path. Here you need to overcome a few waterfalls and at the end you will reach the arch level, over viewing the canyon.

A short walk after the arch you will see a tall dry waterfall curved into the rock.

Soon after you will need to climb over a dry waterfall, it is not too steep and can be done.

The canyon gets narrower and you will need to clear a few more minor obstacles.

The canyon eventually ends at a dry waterfall that is impassable to overcome.

From here you need to walk down or you can look for a side trail climbing out of the canyon, this will be on the left side when you are going up the canyon.

The trail climbs above the canyon and ends after not a long distance.

Additional Pictures: