The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, in Payson, is home to one of Arizona’s most treasured spots. The park is home to the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. Our kids love exploring this area and it is a kid-friendly hike.
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The bridge is 183 feet high and over a 400-foot long tunnel that measures 150 feet at its widest point. You can stand on top of the arch, view it from above or hike to the bottom and explore under the bridge. The Tonto Natural Bridge State park is 10 miles north of Payson.
How to Get to Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
This unique Arizona park is in Payson. From Phoenix it is a 2-hour drive to the park. Take Interstate 10 East towards Tucson and get off the exit to 202 East. Drive 12 miles , take exit 13 towards 87 North for 1/2 mile then you will need to be in the left lane to follow 87 to Payson.
Follow this road into Payson eventually it will turn into 260. After 75 miles you will take a left on NF 583 and drive into the park. There will be a large sign on your left for the entrance to the park.
Fees and Parking
The fees at the state park are $7 per person or you can use your Arizona state park pass. The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has plenty of parking available and the lot is paved.
For the most up-to-date information please visit: Arizona State Parks
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
The park is surround by national forest and all hikes lead to water, which is a treat in itself when living in the desert.
There are plenty of picnic tables in the shade to choose from if you want to have a picnic. We watched the javelina’ s eat while we ate.
Viewpoints at the Park
For those who want great views without hiking there are four viewpoints to overlook.
Viewpoints 3 & 4 – View without the Hike
If you want to see the Tonto Natural Bridge no hiking involved you can check out Viewpoint 3 & 4. The last parking lot will put you close to the trail. You will walk across a small creek, one that could be easily overlooked but take note as this same water flows down from the top of Tonto Bridge.
From this viewpoint you can view the top of Tonto Bridge and the waterfall. And if you are lucky a rainbow too! Now that you’ve seen the top, take the Gowan trail hike to see it up close!
If you want to see the bridge up close and hike around underneath it the best trail to take is the Gowan trail.
4 Hiking Trails at the Park
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has four hiking trails to choose from. All of the trails are less than a .5 mile hike. We hiked three of the trails:
- Gowan Hiking Trail
- Anna Mae Trail
- Waterfall Trail
- Pine Creek Trail
The park is surround by national forest and all hikes lead to water, which is a treat in itself when living in the desert.
Gowan Hiking Trail
Gowan Trail is the longest, steepest, and most popular trail in the park because it leads you directly under the natural travertine bridge and waterfall.
Drive to the last parking lot and you will see that the path starts out as a wide dirt path. The path is steep but it starts out wide, as it narrows you will walk down some stairs.
After the stairs the path is narrow and dirt. you can now see the water below you from above. A little while longer and you will reach the bridge. You can see the first glimpse of water below. Turn to your right to follow the creek, or walk onto the bridge that leads to the natural bridge and waterfall.
You are now standing at the bottom of the world’s largest natural travertine bridge. If the wind hits right you can feel the splash of the waterfall. Walk down the stairs and explore under the bridge!
The best part of the hike is exploring under the bridge. You cannot walk directly under the waterfall, but you can walk along the rocks to the side and then behind the waterfall. The bridge is just over 180 feet tall and the tunnel is 400 feet long.
There are pools of water and small waterfalls splashing over rocks underneath the bridge. High above you are numerous caves where back in 1877 David Gowan hid from Apaches. Later he claimed squatter rights on the land.
You almost will feel like you are entering some secret place when going from the bright light outside into the filtered light which feels somewhat like exploring a cave. Under the bridge there are many pools of water.
Looking back you can see the waterfall from behind streaming down the rock and hitting the mossy boulders below. It is almost prettier from this view. You can then take the Anna Mae trail back up to the parking lot area from here.
Anna Mae Trail at Tonto Natural Bridge
The Anna Mae Trail is a steep dirt path that will wind down to the back side of the Tonto Bridge waterfall or if you took the Gowan trail down to the bridge you can take the Anna Mae trail back up to the parking lot. The views from the trail are incredible rock formations and caves. You will make a right turn as you descent into nearby boulders and pools of water.
This trail has some neat small pools of water surrounded by huge boulders and lush trees. The Anna Mae trail is a short hike to reach the back side of the Tonto Natural Bridge.
Hike Waterfall Trail
The trail starts out as a steep dirt path and then the path becomes a set of steep uneven stairs. It is about 300 feet to the end of the trail. Be careful at the bottom because it is slippery as well.
Anytime you can find some water in the hot Arizona summer it is a hike worth while. Dripping springs water bouncing over the lichen and rock.
Pictures really do not do this park justice, you have to see it in person. The waterfall at the end of the trail is enchanting. The water falls in a steady stream, cascading off of moss covered rocks, peeking past the waterfall you can see the wet cool cave. Lichen covers the large boulders and the inside of the watery cave.
Phone: (928) 476-4202
Address: P.O. Box 1245 Payson, AZ 85547
Directions: from Phoenix take the Beeline Hwy (State Route 87) to Payson, 10 miles north of Payson turn left on US forest 583