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Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow in Stone

Rainbow Bridge spans 275 feet across the canyon and is 290 feet high, but the deep canyon dwarfs it. To put it in perspective, the dome of the U.S. Capitol would fit under the bridge. But numbers alone do not do Rainbow Bridge justice. Its graceful shape is indeed reminiscent of a rainbow. The Navajo, and several other Southwestern tribes, regard the bridge and its surroundings as an especially sacred site, and the name comes from a Navajo legend that tells of a rainbow frozen forever in stone. Please visit the bridge respectfully.

At 7.9 miles, the trail turns abruptly right (northeast) and climbs up a narrow slot canyon to Redbud Pass, drops into Redbud Creek, and then turns left, downstream. You’ll find more campsites along Redbud Creek and seasonal water in the creek and in Rainbow Bridge Canyon. At 10.1 miles the trail enters Rainbow Bridge Canyon and meets the little-traveled north side trail from Navajo Mountain Trading Post. This trail offers an alternate route to Rainbow Bridge from a different trailhead.