Death Valley National Park has some of the most unique landscapes, and it quickly became one of my favorite national parks! It is home to the lowest point in North America, sand dunes, volcanic craters, colorful badlands, the hottest air temperature recorded, and other geologic features, including the Natural Bridge.

Although you can explore Death Valley from various viewpoints throughout the park, I recommend hiking to get up close and personal with the breathtaking landscapes. One of my favorite trails that should be on every bucket list is the Natural Bridge Trail, which brings you through a beautiful canyon with a 35-foot-tall rock bridge.

If you want to hike the Natural Bridge Trail in Death Valley, you are in the right place! This guide has everything you need to know to plan a hike to the Natural Bridge, including a step-by-step hiking guide.

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Tips for Hiking the Natural Bridge Trail

Although the Natural Bridge Trail is not long or strenuous, these tips are crucial when planning your trip! They are also helpful for planning your Death Valley itinerary.

Be prepared for hiking in the heat. Death Valley National Park is one of the hottest places in the world, with temperatures reaching over 110 degrees in the summer! I recommend visiting between late fall and early spring for the best temperatures. When we visited in March, it was still hot but manageable for hiking. Regardless of when you visit, you must prepare for the heat with plenty of water, food, moisture-wicking clothes, and sun protection.
Pack sunscreen and hiking gear. The Natural Bridge Trail has little shade, making it crucial to wear sunscreen. I reapplied sunscreen multiple times during the day to be safe. You should also have hiking boots, moisture-wicking clothes, and a hiking backpack with food and plenty of water.
Pack plenty of food and water. The nearest city with food is about half an hour away, so I recommend getting everything you need for your trip before entering the park. Most trails in Death Valley do not offer much shade, making it crucial to pack more water than you think you will need to stay hydrated while hiking. The Natural Bridge Trail has some shade in the canyon, but it is still hot!
Buy the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. If you are visiting more national parks on your trip or within the year, I highly recommend buying the America the Beautiful Annual Pass. It allows you to enter any national park and federal recreation land for a year!
Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Some spots have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they do not have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.

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Natural Bridge Trail Stats + Map

The Natural Bridge Trail is 1.5 miles round trip total, or 0.8 miles round trip if you only want to hike to the Natural Bridge. The canyon past the Natural Bridge is cool, but I enjoyed the first part of the hike to the Natural Bridge more. If I went back, I would only hike to the bridge.

Length: 0.8 miles round trip to the Natural Bridge or 1.5 miles round trip to the end of the trail
Elevation gain: 450 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Best time to hike: late fall to early spring
Facilities: The trailhead has restrooms.
Road closures: Sometimes roads close due to flooding from heavy rainfall, and the NPS website will always have up-to-date information.

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Hiking the Natural Bridge Trail in Death Valley: Step-By-Step Guide

The Natural Bridge Trail is a fun hike that should be on every Death Valley itinerary! As I mentioned previously, if you only want to hike to the Natural Bridge, it is 0.8 miles round trip. If you want to hike to the end of the canyon, it is 1.5 miles round trip.

Although the trail past the Natural Bridge was cool, you do not have to hike the entire trail. The Natural Bridge and the canyon leading up to it were the most beautiful sections of the trail, in my opinion, but you can always extend the hike. The canyon is pretty, so you will not be disappointed either way.

Natural Bridge Trail Parking

The Natural Bridge Trail parking is on Natural Bridge Road off Badwater Road. The road has a sign pointing to the Natural Bridge, but you can easily miss it if you are not looking for it. I recommend downloading offline maps so you can use Google Maps even if you do not have service.

Once you arrive at Natural Bridge Road, you have to drive 1.5 miles along an unpaved road. The road was a bit bumpy at times, but we did not have any issues in our Jeep.

The parking lot is relatively small, and I recommend arriving early to find a spot. We arrived midday and luckily were able to find a parking spot because someone was leaving.

The Natural Bridge

From the parking lot, a wide trail leads into the canyon. Although the trail only gains about 200 feet of elevation to the Natural Bridge, the dirt trail with loose rocks makes it a bit more difficult. My feet were sliding on the loose rocks, but it was nothing that was too much to handle.

The first 0.1 miles follow along a dirt path before reaching the beginning of the canyon. Make sure to turn around before hiking into the canyon to see the stunning views of Badwater Basin and the surrounding mountains!

The final 0.3 miles to the Natural Bridge are within the canyon walls, offering unique views of the surrounding landscape. I absolutely loved this section because the canyon was breathtaking! I love feeling small in landscapes, and this trail provides that.

Before you know it, the trail arrives at the Natural Bridge! The bridge is 35 feet tall and towers over the trail, making you feel small in the best way. I recommend walking under it and to the other side of it to get unique views.

Because this trail is popular, it is difficult to get a photo of only you in the arch. If you hike it in the morning, you have a better chance of having fewer crowds! We lucked out because there were only a handful of people at the Natural Bridge when we arrived.

If you only want to hike to the Natural Bridge, you can turn around here, or you can extend the hike further into the canyon to the end of the Natural Bridge Trail.

Canyon Walk

If you want to hike the entire Natural Bridge Trail, you will continue hiking under the Natural Bridge further into the canyon. The canyon is beautiful as you walk through it!

The rest of the trail has canyon views and a few dry waterfalls. The trail abruptly ends in the canyon at a dry waterfall, where you will turn around and head back the way you came.

canyon on the natural bridge trail in death valley

Nearby Hiking Trails

Death Valley has many beautiful trails, and most are not far from the Natural Bridge. I recommend adding other hikes to your itinerary to explore other stunning landscapes!

Here are a few trails near the Natural Bridge Trail:

Badwater Basin Trail: 1.9 miles round trip to the lowest point in North America (although you do not have to hike far to explore the area)
Artists Hill: 0.4 miles round trip to a beautiful viewpoint
Artists Palette: 0.3 miles round trip to one of the most iconic places in Death Valley
Golden Canyon Trail to Red Cathedral: 2.9 miles round trip through one of my favorite areas in Death Valley, with breathtaking landscapes and views

When you visit Death Valley National Park, make sure to add the Natural Bridge Trail to your itinerary! It is a short and sweet trail through a beautiful landscape. And this guide has everything you need to know to hike the Natural Bridge Trail in Death Valley!