Visit our Rainbow Bridge Photo Gallery
“How do I get to Rainbow Bridge?” This was a question we answered many times as volunteers with the National Park Service at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. There are two ways you can get to Rainbow Bridge while you are visiting Lake Powell.
- Most people journey the 50 miles up lake to Rainbow Bridge by boat, either your own or a tour boat. If you go on your own be sure you have a map of the lake. You can purchase one at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center at Glen Canyon Dam. If you wish to go on the tour boat it is an all day trip leaving from the Wahweap Marina at Lake Powell Resort 5 miles north of the dam. It is an approximate 3 hour cruise to Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world. You will have an hour and a half to hike the 2 1/2 mile round trip from the floating dock to view the bridge, an incredible site at 290 feet high with a span of 275 feet. Many Native Americans consider Rainbow Bridge to be sacred and ask that you are respectful and do not approach too closely.
- The other way to get to Rainbow Bridge is to follow in the footsteps of the early explorers and hike the 28 mile round trip from the Navajo Mountain Trading Post to Rainbow Bridge. A permit is required from the Navajo Tribe. You must carry food and water for the two day trek out and the two day trek back plus carry out what you pack in. An alternative is to hike out and make arrangements for a ride on the tour boat back to Wahweap Marina. Note: Please see my posts archived in the Glen Canyon section of this blog and visit our website for photos and more suggestions of things to do while you are visiting the Lake Powell area.
