Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

About Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has been in the making for thousands of years and is tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by pine forests. The bridge is a 400 foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point and is considered the largest natural travertine bridge in the world.

Many different bird species visit the park and you will be asked for a bird list when you pay at the entrance, as well as a bird guide.

The park is also home to deer, rabbits and spears, and in 1877 it was documented that A prospector stumbled across the bridge as he was pursued by the Apaches. Gowan hid in one of several caves that adorn its interior, but you can leave the caves to explore the tunnels and the green valley below them.

In 1898, his nephew David Gowan Goodfellow was persuaded to bring his family out of Scotland and settle permanently in the country. After weeks of heavy travel from Flagstaff, the Goodfellows reached the edge of the mountain and dug 500 feet up the slope into the valley. Then he claimed to be a squatter, and they let their belongings in with a rope.

The Tonto Natural Bridge Visitor Centre offers information and a gift shop, but please note that there is no toilet in the building. Swimming is not allowed on the natural bridge, but you can swim downstream to Pine Creek.

Please note that there are no lifeguards in use, so you swim at your own risk, but please note that there is a lifeguard.

There are many unprotected picnic tables in the park, but please bring water to drink while hiking. Some of the trails are steep and challenging, so you should take drinking water with you when hiking, as well as bottles and snacks.

The Waterfall Trail is about 300 feet long and runs along Waterfalls Cave, and the Gowan Trail, which leads to a viewing platform at the bottom of the stream, is only a few feet higher than the other paths on the main trail of the park.

The Anna Mae Trail is about 500 meters long and leads to the Pine Creek Trail at the natural bridge. The path is steep and bumpy, but it is one of the most beautiful paths in the park and a great place to hike.