Wrather Arch

Wrather Arch

Wrather Arch is the name of a natural arch in north Arizona. It is located in the eponymous Wrather Canyon, a small tributary of the Paria Canyon, which is itself an important tributary of the Colorado River. Wrather Arch was once thought to be the longest natural span outside of the state of Utah, but the recent discovery of longer arches in China, Afghanistan, and Chad, and a shortening of its estimated length by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society, have moved Wrather Arch off of the "Top 10" list of longest natural spans. Wrather Arch was once estimated to be 246 feet (75 m), but recent assessments made per NABS standards give the span an approximate length of 180 feet (55 m).

Wrather Arch is distinguished among the great natural bridges in the USA as being the least accessible. Located in the heart of the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness area, it can only be accessed on foot. Being located almost at the midway point of the Paria Canyon trail, potential visitors must hike nearly 32 miles (51 km), frequently walking in the shallow river, to witness this remote landform.