Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

5 Day Schedule Five Day Schedule: This park is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The park is open from 9 am to 5 pm (with last entry at 4 pm) on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, & Mondays. Read about five day schedule.

Youth Ambassador & Americorps at Tonto Natural Bridge

Read Arizona State Park Youth Ambassador Kelly's blog about helping Americorps volunteers at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, near Payson.

The Americorps group consisted of 11 young people who worked on hauling dirt for trail improvements, planting Willow saplings; scraping chipped paint from the wooden board walk; sealing a wood fence; helping to decrease water erosion; and more. Read full blog and see photos.

Looking through a section of the natural bridge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park.

Tucked away in a tiny valley surrounded by a forest of pine trees, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has been in the making for thousands of years. It is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The bridge stands 183 feet high over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point.

The discovery of the small and beautiful valley between Pine and Payson was documented in 1877 by David Gowan, a prospector who stumbled across the bridge as he was chased by Apaches. Gowan hid for two nights and three days in one of several caves that dot the inside of the bridge. On the third day, he left the cave to explore the tunnel and green valley surrounding it. Gowan then claimed squatter's rights.

In 1898 he persuaded his nephew, David Gowan Goodfellow, to bring his family over from Scotland and settle the land permanently. After a week of difficult travel from Flagstaff, the Goodfellows arrived at the edge of the mountain and lowered their possessions down the 500 foot slopes into the valley by ropes and burros.

Today, visitors can stand on top of the bridge or hike down below to capture the true size and beauty of this geologic wonder.

How did the Natural Bridge form?

Learn about the geology of Tonto Natural Bridge on the Science page, and read more about its history in the Feature Story.

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Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Youth Ambassador & Americorps at Tonto Natural Bridge

How did the Natural Bridge form?