Camille's Arches

My favorite rocks are the ones with holes in them! My love for arches began during the two and a half years that our family lived in Moab, Utah. We spent many hours every week hiking to arches and other beautiful sites in this red-rock wonderland. Whenever I visit Moab now, I always feel like I'm coming home. This website is a collection of arches that I have visited from all over the world. View this site as a webpage to see the full list of arches in the sidebar!

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Ayers Natural Bridge

Ayers Natural Bridge in October of 2026

Quick Stats:

.08 miles from the parking lot to be standing underneath the bridge

Google Maps location: Ayers Natural Bridge

Video of my visit to the bridge in October 2026: Ayers Natural Bridge

I live in Wyoming, and unfortunately we do not have very many arches! But we do have one very accessible natural bridge just outside of Douglas called Ayers Natural Bridge. It doesn't even require any hiking, you can park right next to it and go explore above and below it! It is beautiful there, as you can see from the photos and definitely worth the little side trip if you are driving anywhere near Douglas Wyoming.

The pamphlet that is available inside the pay booth at Ayers Natural Bridge details the history of the bridge. It states that Alva Ayers lived on the land in 1882. His step-son Andrew donated the land that houses the natural bridge to the county in 1920. The pamphlet also lists that Ayers Natural Bridge is one of only three natural bridges in the US with water flowing under it. If that were true, then I would have been to all 3 of them because Clear Creek Natural Bridge in Green River has water flowing under it, as does Natural Bridge in Massachusetts, which is the only white marble natural bridge in North America. I suspect that there are probably many more natural bridges with water running under them in the United States. In fact, Yellowstone Natural Bridge also has water running under it. Perhaps the pamphlet has a typo and it was actually meant to say that Ayers Natural Bridge is one of only three natural bridges in WYOMING that has water running under it. The bridge is 50 feet high and 100 feet long. There is a legend that an Indian brave was struck by lightning near the bridge and killed instantly. The pamphlet claims that after that, the Native American people wouldn't go near the bridge, and so settlers fearing the Indians would stay near the bridge for protection. Mountain men and Mormon settlers built cabins nearby in the 1850s, according to the pamphlet. I did not see any remaining cabins at my visits to the natural bridge.

On one of my visits to the natural bridge, first thing in the morning in early October, I had the natural bridge all to myself for about an hour. A few other cars came during the time I was there, but the visitors only looked at the natural bridge briefly and then went on their way. I was able to explore the entire area all by myself.

It is only a .08 mile walk from the parking lot to be standing underneath the bridge. It is extremely accessible to people of all abilities, although a wheelchair might not be able to be wheeled completely under the natural bridge, but a paved walkway and bridge make it possible for even someone in a wheelchair to get very close to the natural bridge.

There are a few different trails to climb on top of the natural bridge, each listed according to difficulty. The first time I climbed up the one marked "most difficult." It was definitely the fastest way to get to the top of the bridge, but coming down it may have been dicey for me. I decided to follow the trail to one of the easier options when I was climbing down. I ended up taking a side trail that turned out to be just a social trail and not one of the official marked trails in the state park. It took me down to a couple of picnic tables close to the bridge. I don't recommend taking that side trail because it was pretty slippery with loose rocks and was rather steep, and required me clinging to branches as I tried to support myself on the climb down. When you're climbing off the bridge and following the trail up top, there are some cacti when the trail separates to a fork on the left. Don't take that left fork -- that's the mistake I made. Just continue straight.

There is an easier/easiest option that I tried climbing up next, and it truly was very easy. They have built-in wooden stairs up to the path along the top. It is the easiest way to get back down as well. Then there is another trail that is over on the campground side and it is marked "more difficult." It was similar to the social trail that I came down the first time. It is very over-grown with brush and has loose rocks that could make you fall. My recommendation is to take the "most difficult" trail on the way up and the "easier-easiest" trail on the way down.

If you are a little unstable on your feet, don't go on top of the natural bridge by yourself. It is quite wide, but it is not at all flat on top of the natural bridge. It is very rocky with several different levels. I am deathly afraid of heights, and even though I've been on top of the natural bridge a few times before, I was completely by myself and honestly pretty scared. I didn't stay up there very long -- just took a few photos and videos, sat on the ledge for awhile and then climbed down. And then I went back up again a couple times since I was trying out each of the trails. Admittedly, the second and third time up on top of the natural bridge by myself weren't as scary as the first time. But it still would be pretty easy to fall off the bridge if I tripped on some of the jagged rocks up there and took a tumble. Don't let kids roam around up there by themselves!

Partway across the natural bridge is a large change in elevation and a sign that says you can't climb beyond that point. There is what I would describe as a tower on top of the arch, similar to Tower Arch in Arches National Park (except that tower is actually not really on top of the arch, it only appears that way - it is behind the arch). The tower adds quite a bit of height to the natural bridge and is probably the reason for the "no climbing beyond this point" sign. I wonder if people have been hurt trying to climb on top of the tower in the past.

There is also a sign on top of the natural bridge that says "don't throw rocks off bridge." With as much activity as the natural bridge sees in a day, I can definitely see the need for this sign. Imagine admiring the bridge from below and suddenly a rock lands on your head.

You are able to admire the natural bridge from both sides. In order to see the back side of the natural bridge, just walk over to the camping area and through the grass to see the back side. Both sides of the bridge are beautiful.

There are a couple different playgrounds at Ayers Natural Bridge State Park, and I saw at least 4 different sets of rest rooms. There is a volleyball net and lots of picnic areas. It is definitely ready to accept visitors! I expected to pay a fee as I entered, but there was just an open visitor booth with a locked metal box for donations. I'm not sure what the expected donation is, but I put $5 in the box on my most recent visit.

As I was admiring the red cliffs that surround the natural bridge, I was positive that I spotted an arch up in the red cliffs near the office. I got as close as I could, but there is a sign that warns not to climb on the high cliffs. As I was leaving the parking lot, I stopped and got several photos of what I was sure was an arch. It really looked like an arch! I pulled over by the office, which is a house with a downstairs door that is marked "Office" and rang the bell. I pointed at what I thought was the arch and asked the lady working in the office if it was an arch. She said no, it's just a small cave or alcove but not an arch. Honestly, I didn't really believe her, because it absolutely looked like an arch, and I even thought I could see the shadow of the arch beneath it. It wasn't until I got home and looked at my zoomed-in photos on my computer that I believed her -- it is not an arch. But it sure looks like an arch! It is an optical illusion with one rock in front of another and the shadow of the rock underneath it, but not an arch.

The google maps location of Ayers Natural Bridge is here: Ayers Natural Bridge

2020, our family by the back side of the bridge

If you exit the highway in the direction of Casper, you'll see this sign to turn left towards Ayers Natural Bridge. If you've come from Casper, just watch for the signs to leave the highway and head right.

The path to the bridge is very well marked

Drive for 5 miles until you reach the state park

This sign is right after exiting the highway

the road to the bridge

When I visited the natural bridge in October of 2026 there was construction near the state park

the entrance to the park

all of these signs are posted at the entrance

the road into the park

this old abandoned power building was built in the early 1900's. It's right next to the natural bridge. You pass it as you're driving in.

The "not responsible for accidents" is probably referring to falling off the bridge...

This is the fee booth. There wasn't an employee inside. It is just self-pay by donation

inside the payment booth

the donation box

heading to the parking lot

one of the playgrounds at Ayers Natural Bridge. This one is near the parking lot. Up high in the cliffs is what I thought was an arch, but it turns out it's only a small cave or indentation

one of the bathrooms at the state park. This one is next to the parking lot

when I arrived I was the only car in the parking lot

there is plenty of room in the parking lot for a lot of cars

the walk from the parking lot to the bridge which leads to the natural bridge

the bridge to the natural bridge

the bridge is accessible for those with disabilities

the bridge already in sight

under the bridge

the other side, under the bridge. You can walk completely under the bridge, even though a stream runs through it.

looking up at the bridge

looking at the under-side of the bridge

standing under the bridge

the river that runs to the arch -- view from under the arch

standing underneath the arch, this is the path that leads to the back side of the arch

looking up from underneath the arch

view out the front of the arch

the "tower" above the bridge

the other playground at the natural bridge

one of the many picnic tables

playground near the bridge

view of the bridge from the playground and picnic area

I walked on this sidewalk to the end. It eventually ends at a fence.

volleyball net at the playground and picnic area

This is the "most difficult" trail. It is right beside the natural bridge

climbing up the most difficult path

climbing up these rocks is part of the "most difficult" trail. They are easy to climb up -- not so easy to climb down.

almost to the top of the natural bridge

almost to the top

now I'm up to the path on top and heading onto the natural bridge

looking down off the side

heading onto the natural bridge - the tower in view

sign on top of the bridge

standing on top of the natural bridge - you can see the old power building down on the ground below

the top of the bridge - it has several different layers and is not flat at all. Be careful walking around up there.

view off the top of the bridge

looking down from the top

view of the old power building from on top of the bridge

the sign up on this ledge says not to climb beyond that point

looking down off the bridge

this is the consistency of all of the top of the bridge

the top of the bridge

looking down on the bridge and the path from the top of the bridge

looking over the edge of the bridge

getting ready to head back off the natural bridge

looking back at the bridge and the tower

the path on top

looking at the surrounding red cliffs

the path is very easy to follow

cacti up on top

this is the social trail that I took down the first time -- I don't recommend it

I had to hold onto the side branches to keep from slipping on the loose rocks

almost to the bottom of the trail

this root is a tripping hazard near the end of this social trail

these picnic tables are at the bottom of the social trail

looking back up at the social trail

this is the "easier/easiest" trail. It really is easy, to get both up and down. This trail is a little bit farther away from the parking lot. Head back towards the pay booth and you will see this trail.

up on top again

looking at the top of the bridge from the trail

looking down from the trail

this bunch of cacti on the left is where the trail forks and to the left is the social trail that I do not recommend taking. Keep going straight when you see the cacti.

continuing on the trail up top

walking down the easy trail

another set of bathrooms. This one is closest to the pay booth

the pay booth and the office

this "more difficult" trail is in the camping area of the state park

heading up the more difficult trail

it's not bad going up

back up on the top trail again

heading back down the more difficult trail - it is about like the social trail that I took down by accident

the camping area of the state park

heading to the back of the natural bridge

the back side of the natural bridge

looking through the back side of the arch

looking up at the tower from the back side of the arch

underneath the bridge from the back side

the river that runs through the natural bridge, from the back side trail behind the bridge

looking back at the bridge from the trail

the path by the river

the path leads to the old power building

it walks alongside the old power building

it continues to the water's edge

the river

heading back to the start of the trail

pipe into the water

beautiful reflection of the rock wall that houses the natural bridge onto the river that runs through it

unique formation in the surrounding cliffs

looking up at the red cliffs

this is inside one of the bathrooms

In the upper right is what I thought was an arch. It turned out not to be. These are the red cliffs on the side of the office.

the playground next to the parking lot

view through the brush of what I thought might be an arch -- it isn't

it is just a small cave or indentation

the brush was too thick to get a clear photo from below

This is a creative way to deal with an old tree stump. It is located in the playground section near the parking lot.

I was joined by this bunny as I explored the park

A couple cars joined me for a few minutes while I was there, but when I left, I was once again alone at the park.

covered picnic area

another of the bathrooms

I followed this path until it ended abruptly with a fence.

This garbage can sits at the end of the path. Ivy covers the chain-link fence that prevents you from exploring any further.

The fence goes all the way across the river

This old stove is just sitting in the bushes at the park

I wonder who put this monkey in the tree

one last visit to the natural bridge before I headed out

As I was pulling out of the parking lot, I stopped to take some zoomed-in photos of what I thought was an arch.

It's an optical illusion. I was convinced it was an arch.

I thought I was a ribbon arch, and even saw its shadow underneath it

But when I got home and looked at the photos on my computer I could see that it is just a rock that was appearing to be the arch opening. The shadow of what I thought was from the arch, is from the rock.