Natural Bridges National Monument
This was designated as Utah's first National Monument in 1908 by President T. Roosevelt. To put this into perspective, Arches wasn't designated until 1929.
It was nearly inaccessible for many years and it is still quite remote. It's 3-1/2 hours from Page, AZ, 2-1/2 hours from Mesa Verde National Park, and 2 hours from Moab, UT. In fact, it's so remote that dark skies for astronomical viewing started here. The Monument was designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as the first dark-sky park and it still has the darkest sky ever measured.
The Monument is best known for its three natural bridges. They were given Hopi names in 1909: Owachomo, Kachina, and Sipapu and they almost as remote in the valley. Significant hiking is required to really appreciate them though.
 |
| Sipapu |
 |
| Kachina |
 |
| Owachomo |
The Monument is also the location of a small Ancient Puebloan ruins that have some rather interesting structures.
Cedar Breaks National Monument
 |
| Amphitheater |
This Monument is off I-15 just beyond the Brian Head Ski area. It sometimes compared to Bryce Canyon National Park because of its three-mile wide amphitheater and hoodoos. The view down the valley extends all the way to Cedar City.
 |
| View to Cedar City |
We exited the monument heading toward Cedar City and a return to I-15 to begin the final leg of our return home.
- - - - -
