Blackwater Natural Bridge facts for kids
Blackwater Natural Bridge is an amazing natural rock arch found in the Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming. Imagine a giant stone bridge made by nature! This special arch is located high up on a ridge, about 10,777 feet above sea level. It's a little bit southwest of a mountain called Coxcomb Mountain.
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What is Blackwater Natural Bridge?
A natural arch, like Blackwater Natural Bridge, is a rock formation where a natural opening has formed underneath a bridge-like structure. These incredible formations are created over thousands of years by natural forces like wind, water, and ice slowly wearing away the rock. Blackwater Natural Bridge is found to the east of the start of Blackwater Creek. This creek flows north into the North Fork Shoshone River.
How Big is Blackwater Natural Bridge?
The exact size of Blackwater Natural Bridge is not officially known, and estimates vary quite a lot! Some experts, like the non-profit Natural Arch and Bridge Society, believe the arch is somewhere between 70 and 100 feet wide. However, other sources suggest it could be one of the biggest natural arches in the world! These sources claim it might have a span of 240 feet, a height of 280 feet, and a rock thickness of 32 feet.
How Can You Visit Blackwater Natural Bridge?
Blackwater Natural Bridge is in a very remote area, meaning it's far away from towns and roads. There isn't a direct trail leading right to it. To see it, you need to hike a long distance, usually between 14 and 18 miles round-trip. The starting point for this hike is the Blackwater Natural Bridge trailhead. You can reach this trailhead from U.S. Routes 14, 16, and 20. The trailhead is about a 37-mile drive from the town of Cody, Wyoming.
What is the Blackwater Fire?
The trail to Blackwater Natural Bridge also passes by a historic site. This is where the Blackwater fire of 1937 happened. This was a very serious wildfire where 15 firefighters sadly lost their lives. Another 38 firefighters were injured. It was the worst loss of life for firefighters in Wyoming's history and one of the worst in U.S. history.
