Onyx Bridge Trail

Dogs Unknown

Features Geological Significance · Views

National Park Entrance fee or pass required.

Here is the National Park Service Guide to the hike:
nps.gov/pefo/upload/OTBP_On…

The trail starts on the west side of the Painted Desert Inn and heads down off the rim into the badlands below. It is steepish, but not difficult. The trail winds through and between the eroded red hills. Before opening out into the open plain, the remains of an old bridge is visible on the left.

Once the terrain opens up into the flat, open plain, the trail mostly disappears, and you can follow the GPS track or make your own way across Lithodendron Wash and across to the side canyon where the destination lies. The guide referenced above shows photos of what to look for in navigating to the location.

Once the route begins up the canyon, the trail is clear again and winds up the short canyon, taking a left fork part way up, until reaching the Onyx Bridge. The bridge is actually a very long petrified log laying across the small wash. The entire route is littered with petrified wood logs and pieces. There is very little living wood in this desolate badlands.

The return is back along the same route. The Inn is visible atop the plateau for guidance back to the start.