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TONTO NATURAL BRIDGE
near Payson
Location: just 10 miles north of Payson, off Highway 87
Address: Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, P.O. Box 1245, Payson,
Arizona 85547, phone (928) 476-4202
Distance: 90 miles from Phoenix
Opening hours: in the summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day) from 8 am to 7 pm,
in April, Sept. and Oct. from 8 am to 6 pm, in the winter (Nov. - March) from
9 am to 5 pm (Christmas Day closed)
Fees: Entrance fees apply, call the park for current fee information
Direction:
From Phoenix: get to Fountain Hills, from there you go north on Highway 87,
up to 10 miles north of Payson, there follow the sign 'Tonto Natural Bridge
State Park' and make a left (= go west), follow the short paved road to the end
(last part very steep)
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park. Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded
by a forest of pine trees, Tonto Natural Bridge has been thousands of years
in the making. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in
the world. The bridge is 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that
measures 150 feet at its widest point.
The history. The discovery of the small and beautiful valley between
Pine and Payson was documented in 1877 by David Gowan, a prospector who
stumbled across the bridge as he was chased by Apaches. Gowan hid for two nights
and three days in one of several caves that dot the inside of the bridge.
On the third day, he left the cave to explore the tunnel and discover the
green valley surrounding it.
The visit. Stop at the entrance of the park and visit the gift shop in the
historic lodge (overnight stay possible). Here you can get any information
you might need to visit the park and can see pictures of the discoverer
and the bridge, interesting travertine pieces and much more.
The park provides three parking areas. The first is located at the trailheads
to the 'Waterfall Trail' and the 'Pine Creek Trail'. The second parking lot
is the biggest, followed by the bridge parking lot (the closest to the bridge
and the 'Gowan Loop Trail'). There are also several rest rooms and picnic
ramadas in the park.
You can go to four great viewpoints around the bridge. All of them are at parking
lot level and three are accessable by wheelchairs (not #4) and/or you can
explore the creek bottom using the trails.
The trails. There are three trails to choose from (I went all three):
- Waterfall Trail
- Gowan Loop Trail
- Pine Creek Trail
Note: There are no pets and glass containers allowed on the trails. All trails
descend into the canyon and are steep and strenuous. Hiking shoes are
recommended for the Pine Creek and the Gowan Loop Trail. Do not leave the trails
and follow the signs and arrows. For personal safety and to protect the
natural resource, please do not climb under the waterfall, on the mossy rocks,
high cliffs, or in caves, and no swimming or wading under the natural bridge.
The Waterfall Trail. Starts at the first parking area, is about
300 feet long and ends at the waterfall cave (same way back, allow 20 - 30 minutes).
This is the easiest and shortest trail in the park. Some parts of the trail
can be wet and slippery!
Gowan Loop Trail. This trail is about 1500 feet long (allow 1 hour) and
starts at the bridge parking lot. Follow the signs to the viewpoints #3 and #4,
then the trail descends (steep) to the creek bottom and leads to the
observation deck. From there you have the best view at the Tonto Natural Bridge.
To finish the Gowan Loop Trail you have to cross the creek (long wooden
foot-bridge) and hike up the trail on the other side back
to the top of the natural bridge and to the parking lot.
The Pine Creek Trail. This beautiful trail is about 1/2 mile long (mostly
undeveloped, allow 60 - 80 minutes) and leads to the Pine Creek natural area
and through the 'tunnel'. It is not a loop! You can start this trail from
the first parking area going down the creek or at the observation deck
(from the Gowan Loop Trail) close to the Tonto Natural Bridge. This trail can
be difficult for some - there are some spots you have to "climb" over bolders.
(I recommend to start this trail from the observation deck)
Source: my experience at the park and the 'Tonto Natural Bridge State Park' flyer
All photos: © by gbintheworld.com
Links to websites and infos about the
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park and Payson (links open in a new window):
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park official website of the Arizona State Parks, with a park map
E
Rim Country Chamber of Commerce official website
E
Payson official website of Payson
E
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