Hickman Bridge

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers

The Hickman Natural Bridge Trail provides a great overview of what Capitol Reef National Park has to offer. Its convenient trailhead, short distance, and wealth of notable points of interest make it a must-do run.

As the trail climbs gently to its namesake natural bridge it traverses a landscape that is rich with human history. For a thousand years the Fremont people lived along the river at Capitol Reef. Remnants of a Fremont pit house, evidenced by a ring of black stones, can be seen off a short spur trail near the start of the run. Further along the trail there is a granary tucked high up in the cliffs. The Fremont people constructed granaries to store seeds, squash, corn, and beans. - Overview by Jessica Beauchemin, Outdoor Project

Many rocks are on the trail, and there is a possibility of losing the trail as it travels over sandstone.

This trail is very well marked, so don't worry about losing your way. The trail follows the Fremont River for the first couple hundred yards. It then takes the majority of the ascent on switchbacks, then up a drainage. At the top of the cliff, proceed along the trail until you come to a fork with a sign. Follow the loop that goes to Hickman Natural Bridge and back. My favorite way to run this loop is by going to the right first (counter-clockwise).

The trail is hard to follow shortly after the fork, but as the bridge is visible just after the fork, it should be easy to find the trail again after some traversing over sandstone. The sandstone bridge stretches over the trail at the far edge of the loop. Continuing along the trail, you'll come to the edge of the sheer cliffs of the valley, providing some incredible views. The trail then returns to the fork for a quick descent back on the first part of the trail. Or, if you are looking to extend your run, you can connect to the Rim Overlook Trail for a more difficult out-and-back addition.

Hickman Natural Bridge was named after a more recent resident and champion of the area, Joseph Hickman. Hickman was a local school administrator and legislator who recognized the value of the area, then known as "Wayne Wonderland." In 1925, Hickman successfully helped pass a bill setting aside several acres around Fruita as a state park. This paved the way for the eventual formation of Capitol Reef National Park.