#141: Utah’s Remote and Remarkable Rainbow Bridge National Monument

11/16/23 • 57 min

Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast

Find a comfortable seat and sit back as we take you with us on our boat tour to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, located just steps away from Lake Powell in a remote corner of southern Utah. On a recent road trip earlier this month, we were lucky enough to snag a reservation for a boat tour. And while the temps in early November can get downright cold on the lake, we had beautiful weather for our trip to this jaw-dropping national monument.

Revered by the Navajo as a sacred site, Rainbow Bridge's remote location makes it accessible only by a multi-day backpack trip or boat ride. This remarkable natural wonder, famous for its impressive size and striking geological formation, is a majestic sandstone arch. Carved by erosion over millions of years, it stands as one of the world's largest known natural bridges, spanning 275 feet and reaching a height of 290 feet.

In this episode, we talk about our experience visiting this natural wonder, stories of the early explorers to the area, and a bit of history about the formation of Lake Powell.

Links we discussed on this episode:

· Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide,

· Where to get more info or to sign up for the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

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Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

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In this episode, we talk about our experience visiting this natural wonder, stories of the early explorers to the area, and a bit of history about the formation of Lake Powell.

Links we discussed on this episode:

· Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide,

· Where to get more info or to sign up for the Rainbow Bridge Boat Tour

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Previous Episode

#140: Northern California / Southern Oregon National Park Loop

Listeners frequently ask us to create episodes about road trip itineraries, and in this episode, we outline a stunning 8-day driving loop through public lands in northern California and southern Oregon. On this journey, you’ll visit three national parks and two national monuments, while driving 800 miles through a beautiful swath of the American West that’s off the beaten path.

Starting in Redding, CA, we take you to Lassen Volcanic NP, Lava Beds NM, Crater Lake NP, and Oregon Caves NM before wrapping up the trip in Redwoods National and State Parks.

From some of the most dramatic volcanic landscapes in the country to the world’s tallest trees along the Pacific Coast and more, this road trip is everything public lands and nature lovers would want.

All this and more, coming up next!

A link we discussed on this episode:

· Where to watch Ken Burn’s documentary The American Buffalo

The best way to support our podcast is to become a member of our Patreon account. Follow this link to check it out.

And don’t forget to check out our new online merch store and www.dirtlander.com.

Follow us on Instagram at @mattandkarensmith, on Twitter at @mattandkaren, on Facebook at dearbobands, or check out our blog at www.mattandkaren.com.

To advertise on The Dear Bob and Sue Podcast, email us at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Next Episode

#142: 20 Incredible Things to See and Do in Southern Utah, Outside the National Parks

Southern Utah is home to five must-see national parks, but if you’re traveling to this part of the American Southwest, you won’t want to miss the other incredible things to see and do.

In this episode, we take you to 20 of our favorite places we’ve discovered over the years. Each site is worth exploring, from slot canyons to one-of-a-kind landscapes to priceless cultural treasures.

Places we discuss in this episode:

· Kanarra Falls

· Cedar Breaks National Monument

· Willis Creek Narrows

· Kodachrome Basin State Park

· Hole in the Rock Road

· Lower Calf Creek Falls Hike

· Goblin Valley State Park

· San Rafael Swell

· Dead Horse Point State Park

· Corona Arch

· Newspaper Rock State Historical Monument