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Natural Bridges protects some of the finest examples of ancient stone
architecture in the southwest. Located on a tree-covered mesa cut by deep
sandstone canyons, three natural bridges formed where meandering streams
eroded the canyon walls. The bridges are named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu.
At 6,500 feet above sea level, Natural Bridges is home to a variety of plants
and animals. Plants range from the fragile cryptobiotic soil crusts to remnant
stands of Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine. Natural Bridges was established
in 1908, making it the oldest National Park Service site in Utah.
Natural Bridges National Monument, the first National Park Service unit
established in Utah, encompasses 7,636.49 acres. The pinyon and juniper
covered mesa is bisected by deep canyons, exposing the Permian Age Cedar
Mesa sandstone. Where meandering streams cut through sandstone walls, three
large natural bridges formed. Sipapu and Kachina Bridges are the world's
second and third largest natural bridges. Owachomo, while smaller, is only
nine feet thick. |
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