Rainbow Bridge National Monument preserves one of the world’s largest natural arches, a massive stone span in southern Utah near Navajo Mountain that is significant both geologically and culturally. Long known to Native peoples as a sacred place, it was associated with Ancient Pueblo, Paiute, and Navajo communities, and remains important to affiliated tribes today. Its wider fame began in 1909 when Paiute guides led explorers to the bridge, and it became a national monument in 1910. Formed as water eroded Navajo Sandstone in a steep canyon, the site later became easier to reach by boat after Lake Powell rose, intensifying tensions between tourism and Native religious concerns.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain