
Easy Drive From Utah to Previous World’s Tallest Bridge
Spectacular View of the Colorado River
The Grand Canyon cuts across the top of Arizona and creates a barrier for anyone driving from Utah to the Phoenix area. In the 1870’s Lee’s Ferry was established where people and wagons could be floated across the wild Colorado River.
It was named after John D. Lee and became crucial to people at the time trying to get across the deep canyon without traveling hundreds of miles around. This worked well until automobiles came along, and the ferry proved to be too slow and dangerous.
The Highest Steel Arch Bridge
In 1927 work began on a bridge that was five miles away from the ferry. It was made of steel and was the highest of its type anywhere in the world. They dedicated it with great fanfare a couple of years later and you can still visit it today.
Navajo Bridge is on Highway 89A between Jacob Lake, over Marble Canyon, to Bitter Springs, AZ. They have since built a second bridge that is wider for cars and trucks and the original bridge is just for pedestrians.
Walking across Navajo Bridge will take your breath away as you look down at the waters of the Colorado River. Sometimes you can see river rafters as they begin their journey down the canyon.
If you are lucky, like they were in this video from Weekend Escapades, you may see a California Condor or two taking a break on the girders below the bridge.
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This 2 ½ hour drive from Southern Utah will make a memorable visit to what was once the highest bridge of its kind anywhere in the world.
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Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood