What Is The Rainbow Bridge And Where Is It?
The Rainbow Bridge is a gigantic sandstone bridge in Utah. It is one of the largest natural bridges in the world. There are a couple other large natural bridges and arches in Utah that are larger including Landscape Arch at Arches National Park and Kolob Arch in Zion National Park. Of the three, Rainbow Bridge is by far the most scenic and spectacular.
In order to get to Rainbow Arch you’ll either need to get a permit from the Navajo Nation to make the 14 miles one way hike or take a boat out to Rainbow Bridge. Due to low water levels for the foreseeable future, the boat tours to Rainbow Bridge have been suspended. Currently (April 2022) you can take your own boat out to Rainbow Bridge and hike through some nasty muck if you really want to go out there. As the NPS says, this will be at your own risk. It will be a lot more difficult than taking the boat tour out there when water levels are higher.
Given the current conditions and low water level at Lake Powell, it will be a challenge to get to Rainbow Bridge!
What Is It Like To Travel To And Photograph Rainbow Bridge In Utah?
Under normal circumstances when the water levels are higher, the trip to Rainbow Bridge is pretty easy and will just cost you the price of a boat ticket to get out there. That was around $125.00 when the boat was still running. With the current low water levels, it doesn’t make much sense to plan a trip to the Page, Arizona or Lake Powell area just to see Rainbow Bridge unless you will have your own boat and don’t mind the trek from wherever you can beach the boat out to Rainbow Bridge.
If the water levels rise and the boat tours start running again then you’ll probably want to fly into the Page, Arizona Airport, St. George Utah Airport or the Las Vegas Airport. At the airport you’ll want to get a rental car. If you plan to see other sights around the area like The Wave in Coyote Buttes North, The Control Tower in Coyote Buttes South, Stud Horse Point, or other sights along the rough roads in the area, then you’ll probably want to get a 4wd or all wheel drive vehicle.
The most convenient place to stay when visiting Rainbow Bridge via the boat tour is either right at Lake Powell or in the town of Page, Arizona. A slightly more remote and much smaller town in the town of Big Water, Utah. There is really no reason to stay in Big Water unless you want to stay close to the trailhead of the Wahweap Hoodoos of just want to stay in a more remote area away from the crowds and traffic of Page, Arizona.
If the boats are running, all you have to do to visit Rainbow Bridge is buy a boat ticket, hop on the boat and prepare for a short hike when the boat docks out at Rainbow Bridge. It is a beautiful 2 hour boat ride each way and about a 5 hour round trip ride with about an hour to hike around and photograph Rainbow Bridge. If you are into hardcore hiking and backpacking you can look into getting the Navajo Nation backcountry permit and making the 28 mile overnight round trip hike to Rainbow Bridge.
What Does It Take To Get A Wall Art Quality Photo Of Rainbow Bridge?
In order to get a wall art quality photo of Rainbow Bridge, the most challenging part at the moment is just to get out there. With no boat tours you’ll have to make your own way out there by boat or by foot.
If you manage to get out there via boat tour, it is easy to get good wall art photos of Rainbow Bridge though you will have to work pretty cast and come up with your compositions and get all your photo in within the hour or so you will be docked there.
Even when the water levels of Lake Powell are higher and boat tours are offered, there is no sunrise or sunset tour out to Rainbow Bridge. Unless you get out there on your own your photos will be taken mid day. If you want to get something that will be at least slightly more interesting then you’ll want to pick a cloudy day. That will at least add some texture and depth to your photos. There are a number of different angles and perspectives from which you can photograph Rainbow Bridge but as noted above you’ll need to move quickly to take advantage of your limited time out there on the boat tours.
What Is The Best Gear For Photographing Rainbow Bridge?
When you head out to Rainbow Bridge via the boat tours you can take a backpack with as much photo gear as you will need out there. For the best photos you’ll want a reasonably good DSLR or mirrorless camera. To go with the camera, lenses in the range of 17mm to 105mm will enable you to get just about any photo from any perspective you could want.
A circular polarizer is a good item to take to bring out the deep blue skies that will probably be the backdrop to Rainbow Bridge. They are also help make the sandstone more vibrant and adjust any glare or reflections on any water than may be out there.
A tripod isn’t necessary under bright conditions but can certainly help you fame up the exact photo you want and make it possible to take bracketed shots if you plan to crunch them together to create an HDR image of Rainbow Bridge.
The landscape can facilitate panoramic photos. If it will be your first time out at Rainbow Bridge you’ll probably be better off skipping any attempt at stitched panoramic photos. Finding unique perspectives and waiting for people to be out of your photos can be challenging enough without taking the time to frame up panoramic shots and waiting for people to get out of them.
What Is The Story Behind This Rainbow Bridge Wall Art Photo?
Like many photos on this site, Rainbow Bridge was a place I’d seen a few photos of in tourism brochures, thought how incredible it would be to see in person but never in a million years thought I’d make it out there.
In the summer of 2012, I was on my third year of road tripping around the US and Canada to see and experience all the national parks and other sights. The primary reason for going back to the Page, Arizona and Kanab, Utah area was to go back to The Wave for another awesome hike there.
In 2012 I did get another permit for The Wave and ended up spending a TON of time in the area to check out numerous other sights in addition to The Wave. It was the first time I hiked out to the Wahweap Hoodoos in Big Water, Utah and it ended up being the first and only time I made it out to Rainbow Bridge.
After researching the option to hike out to Rainbow Bridge, I decided that the boat cruise would be the only real practical way to get out there. The boat ticket cost more than I’d spent on camping or lodging over the last couple weeks (I’d slept in my car most of that time) and I was loathe to spend much on things like this. It was, however, the only way to get out there so I went for it.
I spent the night before the cruise sleeping in the car in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Page, Arizona. In order to make sure I was down at the dock in plenty of time to get the boat ticket and catch the boat I set an alarm on the cel phone. The bright Arizona morning sun came blazing in the car windows before the alarm went off making the alarm unnecessary.
After taking a morning walk through Wal-Mart to visit the bathrooms and find some random thing to eat, I headed down to the Lake Powell Resort and got the Boat ticket to head out to Rainbow Bridge. The Rainbow Bridge boat tour ticket was around $100.or so. If and when the tours start running again, chances are the prices will be more like $130 to $150 with the current surge in gas prices.
The boat ride didn’t sell out. It was a beautiful say with plenty of room to move around on the boat to see the sights as the boat powered through Glen Canyon. Upon arrival at the Rainbow Bridge boat dock, we were given an overview of the area by the park rangers, informed of how long we’ would have to wander around and when the boat would depart back to the Wahweap Marina back by the Lake Powell Resort.
Even back in 2012, the water in Lake Powell was a little low. At higher water levels, there would have been reflection shots to take but that was probably a number of years prior to my journey out there.
As soon as we were released onto the dock to hike out toward the bridge I scampered off looking for the best possible photo opportunities. Fortunately there were a few light scattered clouds in the sky to add some texture to the photos. In the hour or so we had to explore I was able to get a number of different perspectives of Rainbow Bridge. At times I’d have to wait for people to get out of the way. Most anyone with a camera and tripod was mindful of other people taking photos. We’d try to stay out of each others photos. Those out there purely to sight see wandered around with little regard for anyone with a camera and tripod. That’s the way things normally work most anywhere.
After the quick photo shoot out there, everyone boarded the boat to head back to the Wahweap Marina and we were on our way back. he boat ride back was just as scenic and refreshing as the boat ride there and after about 2 hours we pulled into the Wahweap Marina without incident.
That boat tour was so cool that I booked a sunset cruise later than night. That cruise didn’t have any major landmark to see or dock at but it was a nice evening cruise and a chance to relax and enjoy a break in the never ending quest for the perfect photo. Once the second cruise was done, I headed back to the laundromat at the Wahweap campground and RV park to make some Ramen Noodles, use the coin-op showers and use the free wifi and power outlets to edit and upload photos.
Sometime late in the evening, I went back to the Page, Arizona Wal-Mart, found a parking spot and drifted off into a deep sleep until the sun came blazing through the following morning.
In What Formats Is This Rainbow Bridge Wall Art Print Available?
This Rainbow Bridge wall art photo print is available in sizes up to 40×60 inches on wood, canvas, metal, acrylic and paper. If you will be hanging the print in an area with diffused lighting any print material with any finish will look good. Anything with a metallic or glossy surface or finish will be more vibrant while anything with a matte finish in an area with diffused lighting will be a bit more subdued. If you will hand it in an area with bright direct lighting or exposed light bulbs then the less reflective matte finish on matte canvas or paper will likely look best and not reflect the bright lights.
If you’d prefer something for the bathroom, there are ultra high quality shower curtains as well as bath towels to complete the look. Sherpa fleece blankets make nice accessories for the living room or bedroom. They are super soft, warm, and cozy!
If you’d like to show off Rainbow Bridge on the go, you might be interested in a cel phone case for your new cel phone. Cases for most Apple ad Samsung phones are available. If you need something to replace the plastic shopping bags that are being discontinued in many places around the country, a heavy duty canvas tote bag might be just the thing to order. They are super sturdy and make great beach bags as well.
Finally, there are 500 and 1,000 piece jigsaw puzzles available. They present two different levels of challenge for you or the puzzle fan in your social circle.
Leave a Reply