On April 16, 2008, Natural Bridges National Monument celebrated its 100th anniversary. A dedication ceremony was held at the Visitor Center, with a special birthday cake and a visit from President Theodore Roosevelt.
To continue the celebration, Natural Bridges will be offering special centennial activities throughout the year, especially on Labor Day Weekend (August 30th to September 1st) when the Plein Air Painting Competition will take place.
LABOR DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
PLEIN AIR PAINTING COMPETITION
100 Years Of National Parks In Utah
This contest will occur throughout the weekend. To learn more, read the prospectus.
SPECIAL POSTAL CANCELLATION STAMPING
Operated by Blanding Post Office at the Natural Bridges Visitor Center.
* Saturday, August 30th: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
STAR PARTY
Operated by the Salt Lake Astronomical Society. Six to ten large telescopes available for the public to view celestial bodies.
* Friday, August 29th: 8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (or beyond)
* Saturday, August 30th:8:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. (or beyond)
GEOLOGY TOURS
Location: Kachina Bridge Overlook
* Friday, August 29th: 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
* Saturday, August 30th:9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
* Sunday, August 31st: 9:00 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
* Monday, September 1st:9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
ZEKE JOHNSON DAYS: PIONEER LIFE AT NATURAL BRIDGES (Living History)
Meet a character actor portraying Zeke Johnson, the first ranger at Natural Bridges. Location: Owachomo Bridge.
* Friday, August 29th: 1:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
* Saturday, August 30th:11:00 noon, 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
* Sunday, August 31st:11:00 noon, 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
* Monday, September 1st:11:00 noon, 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
SPECIAL ARCHEOLOGICAL TOURS
Special Centennial Tours not normally offered to the public:
To Horsecollar Ruin
Reservations Required: (435) 692-1234 x16
Must be present 10 minutes before trip, or standbys get your slot.
Tour Guide: Archeologist
Group Size Limit: 10
Difficulty: Arduous
Requirements: Sturdy shoes with good soles; ample food and water; rock scrambling abilities.
Length of Trip: 3.5 hrs., 2 miles one way, and return
Elevation Change: 500 feet
Trail Condition: Steep, several ladders, with exposure, 150 feet of scrambling on steep slickrock.
Weather Expectation: Warm to hot, thunderstorms
* Friday, August 29th: 10:00 a.m.
* Saturday, August 30th: 9:30 a.m. and11:00 a.m.
* Sunday, August 31st: 9:30 am and 11:00 a.m.
* Monday, September 1st: 9:30 a.m.
To Kachina Ruin
Reservations Required: (435) 692-1234 x16
Must be present 10 minutes before trip, or standbys get your slot.
Tour Guide: Archeologist
Group Size Limit:15
Difficulty: Moderate
Requirements: Sturdy shoes, ample food and water
Length of Trip: 3.5 hrs., 2.5 miles one way, and return
Elevation Change: 400 feet
Trail Condition:Moderate to steep
Weather Expectation: Warm to hot, thunderstorms.
* Friday, August 29th: 12:30 p.m.
* Saturday, August 30th: 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
* Sunday, August 31st: 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
* Monday, September 1st: 12 noon
To Horsecollar Ruin Overlook
No Reservations
Group Size Limit: None, open to all.
Tour Guide: Interpreter or volunteer
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Requirements: Sturdy shoes, some water
Length of Trip: 1.5 hrs., 1 mile one way, and return
Elevation Change: 150 feet
Trail Condition: moderate to gentle
Weather Expectation: Warm to hot, thunderstorms
* Friday, August 29th: 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
* Saturday, August 30th: 9:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
* Sunday, August 31st: 9:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
* Monday, September 1st: 9:00 a.m., 11:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
PRE-COLUMBIAN SKILLS (Living History)
Local skills experts show how stone tools, cordage/basketry, spears, and rock art were made and used. Public participation.
Location: In front of Visitor Center
* Friday, August 29th: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
* Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
* Monday, September 1st: 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
NATURAL BRIDGES HISTORY INTERPRETIVE DISPLAY
A Centennial display of the rich history of Natural Bridges National Monument as an institution will be open for viewing. The display will present:
* Our conservation mission.
* Establishment by President Theodore Roosevelt.
* The colorful life and hardships of the first Natural Bridges ranger Zeke Johnson.
* The establishment of the first all solar-powered electrical service in a national park.
CANYON COUNTRY OUTDOOR EDUCATION - DRAWING CONTEST ENTRIES AND WINNERS
Artworks of Natural Bridges drawn by local school children will be on display inside the Natural Bridges Visitor Center.
DRAWING TO WIN A NATURAL BRIDGES CENTENNIAL COIN
Sign up in the Visitor Center to win a Natural Bridges Centennial Coin. 25 winners will be drawn and notified after the Labor Day Weekend.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
