Payson to Phoenix: Arizona – Point of Interest: Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

After sleeping the night in Payson it wasn’t a very far drive to get to the next hotel in Phoenix, so we decided to follow a local restaurant owner’s suggestion to check out the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is known as the world’s largest natural travertine bridge. (Travertine = a limestone rock usually found around mineral springs or limestone caves. It has a fiberous/concentric white/cream/rust colour appearance). It is 183 feet high and has a 400 foot tunnel along the widest part of the bridge. There is a trail at the top of the bridge where you can see the view of the bridge’s tunnel from the observational points.

I decided to brave the hike to the bottom of the bridge and back around to the visitor’s centre. The first initial hike to the waterfall was very short from the car park, but quite steep with stairs going to the waterfall. At the bottom of the trail it was quite slippy but very peaceful with the water falling down the mountain.

The hike down to the bottom of the bridge was a challenge though! The first section of the trail was easy enough on well maintained paths, but getting down to the ravine there was lots of rock scrambling. For someone with short legs (5 ft 1 short…) there was a lot of what felt like rock climbing in some sections of the trail, as tall as me, to twice my height in one place. The hike was by no means far but it was certainly challenging. I’d recommend having at least an average fitness to handle most hikes, or if you have short legs having someone give you a hand up or down helps a stack. From the bottom of the bridge, the cool water falling down the bridge is seriously refreshing after a hike in the heat! No swimming is allowed though.

Besides the hiking trails available, there is a picnic area and the park has quite a few display boards available giving information about the geology, plants and animals of the park.

When visiting the park, be sure to bring enough water! During summer it gets properly hot on the hike.