Introduction:
What? :
Navajo Bridge
is the name of twin steel arch bridges that cross the Colorado River near Page
AZ.
When Navajo
Bridge was first built in 1929 it was the only place to cross the Colorado
River for 600 miles, even today the only place you can cross the Colorado River
downstream is at Hoover Dam near Las Vegas. Going upstream, north, traveling on
highway 89 you can cross the river and head north to Utah at Page, AZ, over Glen
Canyon Dam Bridge.
When old bridge
structure was not strong enough for modern cars the newer bridge was built in
1995, the old one is still use today for pedestrian and viewing platform.
The old bridge
span 834 feet (254 m) over the canyon, with a maximum height of 467 feet
(142 m) from the river level. The new road bridge is slightly longer
spanning 909 feet.
The exact
bridge location is at the northern tip of Grand Canyon National Park that
following the Colorado canyon north in narrow area. This area of the Colorado River
is called Marble Canyon, and it span from the north at end of Glen Canyon at Lee's
Ferry to the south with the confluence with the Little Colorado River, which
marks the beginning of the Grand Canyon.
Usually, this
location is not your trip destination and people that travel here, as we did,
usually traveling to visit the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park or to
visit Vermilion Cliffs National Monument remote area.
Where? :
Marble Canyon
and Lees Ferry is located 124 miles (about 2 hours’ drive) north form
Flagstaff, Arizona or 40 miles south (45 minutes’ drive) of Page, AZ.
From Bitter
Springs that is located on US 89 turn onto US 89A, the old road, and continue
to Navajo Bridge crossing the Marble Canyon.
Google Map Link
Related Blog links:
When? :
The location is
open for visitor year-round, 24/7.
The best times
to visit here is spring and fall when it is not too hot.
Summer months
are hot with mostly clear sky, temperatures are 90-100 f at mid-day.
Late summer
months can bring monsoon storms during the afternoon. There is no problem to
travel here when it rains, this is not a slot canyon.
During winter
you will have cold temperatures (~50f mid-day) and maybe rainstorms, but you
can visit here without major issues.
Do remember
that the north rim of the Grand Canyon is covered with snow and close to
visitor during the winter months.
Also, Jacob
Lake ridge area is covered in snow during winter.
Due note 1:
Free parking on
both sides of the bridge.
Due note 2:
The Navajo
Bridge Interpretive Center is located on the west side of the bridge and
includes a visitor center and bookstore.
Due note 3:
Navajo Nation
Marketplace is located on the east side of the bridge.
Due note 4:
In the Navajo
Bridge Interpretive Center, you can find Gifts/Souvenirs/Books as well as
restrooms.
Due note 5:
Nearest large hotels
are in Page, AZ; 2 hours way south there are in Flagstaff AZ.
My thoughts:
This was only a
short stop on our way to visit the Nort Rim of the Grand Canyon, but we enjoy
it very much.
This river
canyon and the river views were impressive as well as the elegant bridge arch structures.
We did not go
to the small visitor center but after a short stop we carry with our drive
east.
The visit:
Marble Canyon
is named of its smooth colorful rocks and cliff walls in this area, nothing to
do with real marble rocks formation. The river canyon area itself is narrow
corridor part of the Grand Canyon National Par where the land on the sides may
be BLM or Endian land.
Lee's Ferry was
the only official ferry crossing the Colorado between Utah and Arizona before
the Navajo Bridge construction in 1929. Today, it is a launching point for
river rafting and Kayaking trips, up to Glen Canyon or down into the Grand
Canyon.
At the time the
Navajo Bridge was built, 1929, it was the highest steel arch bridge in the world,
and it provide a safe route across the Colorado River, connecting Arizona to
Utah.
California condors
can sometimes be seen at the Navajo Bridge site, usually at morning hours.
These birds are the largest flying land bird in North America, with a wingspan
of 9-10 feet.
When we visit
here during Sep. 2024 morning hours, we saw 4 California Condors resting on the
lower section of the bridges.
All of condors
were marked and some also carry location transmitter.
The California
Condor Story:
The Condors
were under complete extension with the last sighting of a wild condor in
Arizona occurring in 1924. By 1987, Similar things almost happen to the condor
population in California. After long captivity preservation and breeding
program population start to be recovered and Condor set to be free in
California (Pinnacle National Park), Arizona (Vermilion Cliffs), and Utah (Zion).
As of December 2020, the total population had increased to 504, with 103 in
Arizona.
If you will
drive 6 miles north of the bridge you will reach Lees Ferry location.
you can stay
there at the campground and enjoy the Colorado River access.
Cliff Dwellers
Stone House: 8.8 miles west of the bridge on highway 89A you can find a small
road stop with interesting large boulders “mushrooms” and an interesting Stone
House. A short stope on your road trip.
Additional Pictures:
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