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Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge - 3 members in 11 triplogs have rated this an average 3.7 ( 1 to 5 best )
11 triplogs
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May 14 2025
avatar

 Routes 15
 Triplogs 12

71 male
 Joined Jan 12 2016
 Mesa, Arizona
Natural Bridge State Park loop, AZ 
Natural Bridge State Park loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 14 2025
lmecklenborg • Triplogs 12
Hiking1.67 Miles 348 AEG
Hiking1.67 Miles   2 Hrs   39 Mns   0.89 mph
348 ft AEG      46 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Don’t be misled by the short distance and elevation gain. This hike, while all on official marked trails, is a fairly challenging scramble in spots. WThe portion of the trail near the creek and under the natural bridge is very scenic, but a continual scramble over boulders large and small. Some are very slippery. The route is well marked, with painted arrows and blaze markers to help guide you on the best route through the rocks. The birdwatching is great, particularly down by the water. The State Park is well maintained with nice lawns, restrooms and picnic tables. It is a fee area, $10 per person.
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May 14 2025
avatar

 Routes 85
 Photos 3,718
 Triplogs 486

female
 Joined Oct 15 2002
 Rimrock, Arizona
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar May 14 2025
cactuscat • Triplogs 486
Hiking1.62 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking1.62 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   0.65 mph
500 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners none no partners
Always a fun place to visit!
Down Gowan, under the bridge, then up the creek.
Several people in front of me turned around at the sketchy part climbing up out of the bridge. A pair of fit-looking young women (who looked like they probably did harder things regularly) watched me complete it while we talked about how surprising it was that the park hasn't installed some chains or something for added safety. One of them said she was "astonished" at the apparent danger of that part. It was very wet this time, and I had to pause and psych myself up for the difficult couple of steps.
After that it was pure joy boulder-hopping up the creek.
Beautiful day, lots of good birds.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Yellow Columbine
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Black-headed Grosbeak  Hooded Oriole  Yellow-Breasted Chat
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Aug 01 2024
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 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Tonto Natural Bridge SP, AZ 
Tonto Natural Bridge SP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 01 2024
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking1.82 Miles 386 AEG
Hiking1.82 Miles   1 Hour   33 Mns   1.52 mph
386 ft AEG      21 Mns Break2 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
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Tonto Natural Bridge
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners partners
Tortoise_Hiker
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Can't believe it's been 8 years since I've been here. It's such a pretty place but can be annoying on the weekend with the crowds. Denny and I were second in line waiting for the gates to open at 9am. We asked the ranger why they did not open earlier. He would love to, but it's a staffing problem.

We took my normal route of The Waterfall Trail OaB, Then over to the Pine Creek Trail to head towards the Natural Bridge.

[ youtube video ]

It's slow going, climbing over the rocks and debris left over from the 4" storm a week or so ago.

We opted to hike under the bridge, being careful to stay upright on the slippery rocks.

Up the Gowan Trail and then we hit a few of the view points.

Good hiking with the Turtle again.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Pine Creek at Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natur Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  2 archives
Aug 01 2024
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge SP, AZ 
Tonto Natural Bridge SP, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 01 2024
Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652
Hiking1.82 Miles 386 AEG
Hiking1.82 Miles   1 Hour   33 Mns   1.52 mph
386 ft AEG      21 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Tonto Natural Bridge
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners partners
The_Eagle
Bruce and I checked out the waterfall and wild berry situation at Tonto Natural Bridge. Such a cool little area. A weekday and as soon as they open beats the crowd! Water was nice and berries were delicious! It looked like they had a pretty good flow of water in the last couple weeks. 😱
Grass areas were inviting for picnickers if it was a tad cooler! Enjoyable outing! Thanks Bruce! Like HAZ, you rock!
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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
  3 archives
Jul 05 2022
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 Guides 1
 Photos 1,891
 Triplogs 131

47 male
 Joined Feb 13 2006
 Phoenix, AZ
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 05 2022
david_allen_3 • Triplogs 131
Hiking0.50 Miles 71 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles
71 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
It's been awhile since hiking this trail under the bridge. Little disappointed they closed the trail on the east side of the canyon and you have to take the more exposed west side Gowan Trail. The hours of operation also leave something to be desired. 9AM to 5PM. The $20 entrance fee for the 3 of us seemed a little high as well. Rant over. Once there we had a great time. Nice and cool under the bridge as well as under the dense tree cover in and near the canyon. Javelina were out and about. Saw about 15 or more.
_____________________
Wherever you go there you are.
 
Jul 03 2022
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 127
 Photos 1,478
 Triplogs 129

male
 Joined May 07 2019
 Tempe, AZ
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 03 2022
mikemcg • Triplogs 129
Hiking1.49 Miles 468 AEG
Hiking1.49 Miles   1 Hour   45 Mns   1.30 mph
468 ft AEG      36 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I've passed by Tonto Natural Bridge numerous times, and finally got a chance to check it out. We started on Pine Creek Trail, which was pretty, with a lot of green, but no water initially. We stayed along the creek bed and eventually started seeing some water, with some beautiful pools along the way, and a couple caves. Eventually we were in the tunnel. The easiest way through the tunnel is to stay on the left, but a park ranger yelled at us that this area was off limits because there is a risk of occasional falling rocks on that side. We then prepared to swim across, but swimming is not allowed in the tunnel either. The only way allowed is on the right, which involves walking 15 feet along a narrow (3 inch) ledge that consisted of smooth, wet rock, then sliding down about 15 feet, which seemed like the most dangerous route to me, but we survived it. The tunnel is pretty fascinating except for the incessant precipitation inside. Eventually we climbed out, checked out the viewpoints up top, and headed back.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Tonto Natural Bridge
  2 archives
Aug 22 2021
avatar

 Routes 61
 Photos 1,008
 Triplogs 224

44 male
 Joined Aug 19 2009
 The Basin
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 22 2021
survivordude • Triplogs 224
Hiking1.50 Miles 500 AEG
Hiking1.50 Miles      45 Mns   3.00 mph
500 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners none no partners
Have never been here and it was really cool. Went up and over the bridge and then down and under and back up for about a 1.5 mile loop (if that). I actually had the whole place to myself while I was underneath. Water dripping everywhere and very slippery with algae/moss. Actually fairly challenging route finding and bouldering that I would not expect from a state park. Phone is busted so no photos or routes right now.
_____________________
“There is nothing that exists outside the thought of the immediate moment.”
  5 archives
Aug 31 2019
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 202
 Photos 3,513
 Triplogs 530

male
 Joined Jan 24 2016
 Arizona
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 31 2019
MountainMatt • Triplogs 530
Hiking50.00 Miles 10,000 AEG
Hiking50.00 Miles
10,000 ft AEG20 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners none no partners
I’ve been meaning to finish a few descriptions for the three remaining “trails” at TNB but none of them are even truly worthy of a legitmate HAZ description and can be simply and more efficiently summarized in one triplog.

Ana Mae Trail
A quick and easy 500ft long dirt switchback trail that leads down to the canyon bottom and connects with Pine Creek Trail which at the point becomes an easy undevolped boulder hop either downstream towards the natural bridge or upstream to the start of the PC TH.

Waterfall Trail
Short steep railroad tie stair path leading down to a dead end metal platform surrounded by rich amounts of lush green vegetation, natural spring water and caves that overlook Pine Creek from above.

Gowan Trail
At almost a 1/2 mile and a decent little drop it’s the only route besides Pine Creek worthy of the name “trail” at TNB.
Typically this is the easiest way underneath the natural bridge but with the observation deck being closed the only attraction down Gowan besides the scenery and the grove of giant old growth Arizona Cypress at the bottom is the best legal swimming pool in park.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Tonto Natural Bridge  Tonto Natural Bridge State Park
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Pine Canyon Light flow Light flow

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Pine Creek Light flow Light flow
Perennial flow and big pools make this particular slice of Pine Creek a true gem!
_____________________
 
Oct 09 2016
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 09 2016
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking1.98 Miles 506 AEG
Hiking1.98 Miles   1 Hour   43 Mns   1.18 mph
506 ft AEG      2 Mns Break12 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners partners
Ladyeagle
Did a quick loop on the Trails in the park prior to an appointment in Pine.
I really love this place, but the crowds can be annoying.
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
May 12 2014
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,760

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar May 12 2014
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760
Hiking1.42 Miles 552 AEG
Hiking1.42 Miles   1 Hour   21 Mns   1.61 mph
552 ft AEG      28 Mns Break12 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners partners
Topcat
Day 4 of 4, Hike 2.

We hit this one on the way home. This is always a fun one to explore.

Hiked down the Pine Creek Trail all the way through(Under) the Natural Bridge.
It's a fairly easy trail to follow, just look for the arrows. It gets a bit slippery on the smooth rocks going under the bridge. If it's too slippery for you, just go up the Anna Mae trail and out. It was nice to hit this on a weekday with just a few others that were there.

We made the short trip down the waterfall trail on the way back to the truck. It looks like there will be plenty of wild raspberries later in the year here...
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Apr 25 2010
avatar

 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Tonto Natural BridgePayson, AZ
Tonto Natural Bridge
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 25 2010
nonot • Triplogs 514
Hiking4.00 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking4.00 Miles   2 Hrs      2.00 mph
1,000 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Pine Creek Trail - Tonto Natural Bridge
Partners none no partners
I have driven past the sign for TNB and never had the time to check it out until today. It wasn't bad, although I don't know that I'd see it more than once.

Due to "dangerous water conditions" they wouldn't let people under the bridge. :wrt: Upon observing the "dangerous" water, I think people should fear the flow coming out of their bathtub faucet more! Then again, the 500 ft elevation gain on the best hiking trail I've seen in Arizona was marked "extremely strenuous"! :sl:

I...uh...hiked all the trails though:
Gowan
Anna Mae
Waterfall
Pine Creek
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Natural Bridge
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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average hiking speed 1.52 mph

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