What is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, is just a two-hour drive from the North Phoenix Valley, making it a very doable day trip.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, located in Rim Country just north of Payson, is home to four hiking trails with varying degrees of length and difficulty, as well as paved paths at the highest points to take in the view and put the scale of the bridge into perspective.
If you’re looking to spend a couple of hours at the park, Waterfall Trail is a short and easy 300-foot-long trail that dead ends at waterfall cave―a spot which lends itself to the perfect photo opportunity and a quick little place to cool off on a hot day.
After you’ve gotten a glimpse of the park’s natural beauty on the short trail, you’ll want to get to the spot where you can enjoy the view from underneath the Natural Bridge.
Gowan Trail will lead you there. Rated difficult in intensity, the trail is steep and rough and can be slippery in some spots. Adventurous kids and adults will love the tunnel path to the creek’s bottom but be forewarned their feet (and possibly yours) will likely get wet.
Waterproof covered-toe hiking sandals are highly recommended for a little parkour rock skipping to reach the lower observation deck. Once you get there, you will be rewarded with some of the most jaw-dropping views through the arch of this geological wonder, waterfall and surrounding vegetation. You’ll likely get a little wet from the run-off depending on where you break to enjoy the views, but most hikers didn’t seem to mind the day we visited. The trail is roughly a half-mile loop with a 200-foot descent to the creek bed.
As of this writing, Pine Creek Trail just reopened following storm cleanup, however Anna Mae Trail remains closed indefinitely due to storm damage.
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Nf-583A, Pine
(10 miles north of Payson on Hwy 87)
Hours 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Last entry at 4 p.m.)
Cost. $7/General Admission; $4/Children ages 7–13; Free/Children 6 and under
Info 928-476-4202, www.azstateparks.com/tonto
Photos Courtesy Arizona State Parks and Trails