Natural Bridges National Monument covers a relatively small area in southeast Utah, close to scenic highway UT 95 between Hanksville and Blanding. It features three huge, stream-carved natural bridges as well as a concentration of Anasazi Indian ruins. The bridges are named Kachina, Owachomo and Sipapu. A natural bridge is formed through erosion by water flowing in the stream bed of the canyon. During periods of flash floods, particularly, the stream undercuts the walls of rock that separate the meanders of the stream, until the rock wall within the meander is undercut and the meander is cut off.

Owachomo Bridge

Owachomo Bridge

Kachina Bridge at NBNM

Sipapu Bridge at NBNM

Bears Ears (near NBNM)

Bears Ears (near NBNM)

Welcome to Natural Bridges National Monument

credit: dvs

Cappadocia caves are located near the city of Goreme, one of the most beautiful and characteristic locales in the Cappadocia region. The famous fairy chimneys and fantastic colorful shapes of the landscape, make this region a natural wonder of the world. Erosion shaped the incredible landscape of the Göreme valley, but thousands of years ago humans took a cue from Mother Nature and began carving an incredible chamber and tunnel complex into the soft rock. The World Heritage property Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia is subject to legal protection in accordance with both the Protection of Cultural and Natural Resources and the National Parks.

credit: Moyan_Brenn