Natural Bridge Loop

The hiking is straightforward and clearly marked, though with two creek crossings you should come prepared to get your feet wet. Immediately after heavy rain the stream may be up to knee deep and fast flowing. You can see the Natural Bridge without crossing the stream by taking a right at the loop and heading directly to it, but the bridge spans Little Clifty Creek as it merges with Clifty Creek on the opposite (north) side, and to access the bridge directly you'll have to ford Clifty Creek in at least on place. From the north side of the trail, headed east toward Little Clifty Creek, the top of the bridge is often accessed and can be walked across. The climb off the bridge on the east side is somewhat hazardous, as the bridge terminates in a 20-foot drop off to the ground. The bridge spans 40 feet across the creek and is almost as high, with tall spruce trees growing on top of it. The trail offers modest views of the creek valley and surrounding hills from the higher points, but no lookouts cleared of trees.