Natural Bridge Canyon

The presence or absence of water is one of the most important factors that shape the landscape in Death Valley National Park. Although flash floods are not a common occurrence here, over the years they have impacted the way canyons in the Amargosa and Panamint Mountains are formed. A perfect example of this can be seen on a hike through the Natural Bridge Canyon Trail. The main attraction along this hike is a 50-foot-tall bridge that has been naturally created by the erosion in the canyon walls.

The Natural Bridge Canyon Trail is a 2.3-mile there-and-back hike through the Amargosa Mountain foothills, and it is one of the few designated trails in Death Valley National Park. Because of this designation and its close proximity to Furnace Creek, this trail is one of the more popular hikes in the park. Reaching the bridge is a short 15-minute hike from the parking lot. However, there are plenty of other geologic formations that are worth exploring beyond the this point. A dry waterfall and some interesting stress fractures in the canyon walls are other points of interest along the way, and you will also find a few side canyons if you want to extend you hike.

The trail follows the canyon washout, so the ground is uneven in some areas. Hiking is fairly easy to manage, however, and there are no major obstacles. The canyon and trail will narrow until its end. Death Valley National Park is a free hike area, so you can continue to explore from here or just head back the way you came. Early morning or late afternoon is the best time to hike this trail as the sun is not directly overhead.