Hickman Natural Bridge Trail

Starting at 5350' in elevation, the hike to Hickman natural bridge is one of the best hikes in Capitol Reef National Park for families with small children. The hike is just under two miles round trip and doesn't include any steep or exposed sections.

You'll begin your hike next to the Fremont River, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs. The path is well defined and cairns make it easy to follow. This area is rich in desert vegetation, which makes for interesting photography when contrasted against the sand and rock formations. While on this hike, keep a sharp eye out for petroglyphs and other signs of the ancient Native Americans that used to live in the area. To the right side of the trail at about .6 miles, there is a hole in the side of the cliff that was used for grain storage in the distant years of the past. If you're tall enough, you can even get a look inside to see the remains of anything that was once there.

As you continue your hike, the landscape opens up more and you can catch amazing views of the rest of Capitol Reef. This area can be particularly well photographed if you use a wide angle lens to capture as much of the landscape as possible.

At .92 miles you will arrive at Hickman natural bridge. The impressive land formation spans 130' and rises 125' above the trail. This spot is especially impressive at sunrise when the warmer light enhances the color of the sandstone.

The trail loops around the backside of the bridge and then continues back on the same path. The trip takes approximately one hour to complete, plus or minus twenty minutes depending on the fitness of the hiker.After experiencing Hickman natural bridge, hikers can explore many more trails, find petroglyphs or pitch a tent at the Fruita campground to stay for the night.