Tonto Natural Bridge

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
Arizona State Park
Tonto Natural Bridge
Country  United States
State  Arizona
County Gila
Location Payson
 - elevation 4,530 ft (1,381 m)
 - coordinates 34°19′11″N 111°27′24″W / 34.31972°N 111.45667°W / 34.31972; -111.45667Coordinates: 34°19′11″N 111°27′24″W / 34.31972°N 111.45667°W / 34.31972; -111.45667
Area 161 acres (65.2 ha)
Founded 1969
Management Arizona State Parks
Location of Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Arizona

Tonto Natural Bridge is a natural arch in Arizona, USA, that is believed to be the largest natural travertine bridge in the world. The area surrounding the bridge has been made into a state park called Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, which is located off State Route 87, just 10 miles (16 km) north of Payson.[1] Tonto Natural Bridge stands over a 400-foot-long (120 m) tunnel that measures 150 feet (46 m) at its widest point and reaches a height of 183 feet (56 m).

History

This natural bridge was first documented by David Gowan, a Scotsman, in 1877 while hiding from hostile Apache tribe members.[1][2] Gowan was impressed by the location and persuaded his family to emigrate and live there.[2] Gowan also tried to claim the land for himself under squatter's rights.[1]

Gowan family members lived near the bridge until 1948. Their lodge building survives to this day and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Park facilities

  • Walking trails
    • Pine Creek Trail - approximately 0.5-mile (0.80 km) long
    • Waterfall Trail - approximately 600-foot (180 m) round trip to waterfall cave.
    • Gowan Trail - approximately 0.5-mile (0.80 km) long, ending at an observation deck in the creek bottom.
  • Picnic tables and recreation area
  • Gift shop
  • Portable restrooms

Closure

It was announced in early 2010 that the park was scheduled to close on June 3, 2010 because of budget cuts and to allow for repairs to the historic lodge.[3][4] Since that time, three groups have donated funds to allow the park to stay open until the end of September 2011.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Arizona State Parks. "Tonto Natural Bridge State Park".
  2. 1 2 Crossley, John. "Tonto Natural Bridge State Park". AmericanSouthwest.net.
  3. ↑ Coates, Bill (February 27, 2009). "State park closures will turn away visitors and their money". Arizona Capitol Times.
  4. ↑ Arizona State Parks (2009-02-24). "Arizona State Parks Board Temporarily Closes Two State Parks" (Press release). Archived from the original on 2009-11-23.
  5. ↑ Arizona State Parks (2010-08-06). "Tonto Natural Bridge State Park Again Rescued By Rim Country Residents" (Press release).


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