Natural Bridges (Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, OR)

Natural Bridges, Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, January 2021 As if the secret beaches, spectacular cliffside vistas, and crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean were not enough, Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor on the southern Oregon coast also boasts a number of natural bridges—iconic archways carved by the sea. The Natural Bridges viewpoint—at …

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Natural Bridge (Death Valley National Park, CA)

California’s Death Valley National Park sports many natural archways, but there is none more prominent than the natural bridge in Natural Bridge Canyon, which slices through the Black Mountains south of Furnace Creek and Artists’ Drive. The natural bridge is easily accessible by way of a short trail, with roughly 80 feet in elevation gain. …

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North Dome Trail, inc. Indian Rock (Yosemite National Park, CA)

Most visitors seeking views of Yosemite Valley from above will drive out to the end of the Glacier Point Road for a fantastic, but crowded, vista. Those looking for a greater challenge with arguably greater payoff, however, should consider the all-day hike out to North Dome (7,542’), which has maybe the best vantage point of …

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Natural Arch Trail (Babcock State Park, WV)

In addition to sporting picturesque cascades, majestic views, and a serene lake, Babcock State Park in south-central West Virginia also contains a small natural arch, a rarity in the area. Here weathering in the Nuttall Sandstone gives way to a shady and moss-covered span that is both easy to climb and pass through. The hike …

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Sky Bridge Loop Trail (Red River Gorge Geological Area, KY)

Kentucky’s Red River Gorge Geological Area in Daniel Boone National Forest boasts more than 150 natural arches—the largest collection east of the Mississippi. Among the easiest to access is Sky Bridge, a peculiarly-shaped aperture resembling something of a mix between a blocky anvil and a brontosaurus. It’s a short (1/4 mile) walk to the top …

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Rock Bridge Trail (Red River Gorge Geological Area, KY)

Kentucky is not a state known for its hiking opportunities, per sé. But a trip through Kentucky’s Appalachians may surprise you with its natural beauty. Perhaps chief among the must-sees is the Red River Geological Area, a beautiful tract of land administered by Daniel Boone National Forest, situated around an hour east of Lexington. Judging …

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Mesa Arch Trail (Canyonlands National Park, UT)

Pictures of iconic Mesa Arch, often photographed in the early morning glow, frequently grace the pages of calendars and coffee table books. There is something about the arch, maybe the most popular destination in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park, which catches the eye. Perhaps it is the setting—the rare instance in which a natural arch is …

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Utah Highway 279 from Moab

Moab, Utah—the now iconic hangout for hikers, bikers, climbers, and alas, jeep enthusiasts—is situated amid a sea of slickrock and flanked by the Colorado River, the blissful sculptor of many of the American Southwest’s grandest canyons. While millions flock to Moab’s Arches or Canyonlands National Parks each year, lesser-known Highway 279 follows one of the …

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