The Best Day Trip from Phoenix: Tonto Natural Bridge

YOU GUYS! This is one of those destinations that you may have never heard of -- we stumbled on it by checking out some maps of Arizona. This is such a breathtakingly beautiful hidden spot and it’s less than 2 hours from Phoenix.  This place  will make you feel like a kid again: climbing on boulders, exploring caves, seeing minnows in the calmer ponds, and hopping along rocks to cross a stream. Plus there’s a waterfall!  That’s right, a waterfall in Arizona and an escape to a cooler atmosphere in the hot summer months. 

Fun Facts

From a geology standpoint, this bridge is unparalleled in it’s uniqueness and beauty (at least in North America) for it’s made of travertine (most others are made of sandstone or limestone). 

The native Apaches had used this fertile land and caves from homes for years before a white man gold prospector named Gowan stumbled upon the bridge. It wasn’t long before the Apaches noticed Gowan and tried to chase him down. He spent 3 nights hiding out the in a cave under the bridge and eventually laid claim to the land for a settlement. 

How to get there

Here’s a map of where it’s located. If you’re coming from Phoenix it’s just under 2 hours and you pass through some beautiful scenery along the way as you climb in elevation to Payson. If you’re coming from Northern Arizona, you’re likely to come through Camp Verde and might see some wild horses!

Cost

$7 per adult (age 14+). $4 per youth (age 7-13). FREE for children (6 and under)

Hours

Park operates from 8-5 in summer and 9-4 in winter.  Try to allow yourself AT LEAST 1 hr to view the bridge and water from the observation areas if you’re not hiking.  If you’re hiking, allow yourself 3 hrs. 

This is a pretty steep hike. There are observation decks that are handicap accessible from the top, but the hikes down to the bridge and to the creek are very rocky and steep. With that said, it’s a short decent. The trail website says it’s steep and strenuous, but we saw 6 year old kids and adults in their 60s having no trouble. We stuck our 1 yr old in the carrier on Dan’s back and had a great time- you will too!

Being less than 2 hours away, getting away from the urban sprawl heat, seeing an actual waterfall that you can walk under-- this is something we highly recommend doing and it won’t take up an entire weekend, just half a day! Check out the Tonto Natural Bridge State Park website for more deets: https://azstateparks.com/tonto