Historic Navajo Bridge - Grand Canyon National Park, AZ - a bridge built to cross the Colorado River in the early 1900's

Historic Navajo Bridge located in Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park has been replaced by a new bridge that is right beside it. The bridges look a lot alike as they cross the Colorado River in between Jacob Lake and Bitter Springs on Highway 89A. The bridges are one of just seven land crossings for 750 miles of the Colorado River.

Settlements were expanded into northern Arizona by Utah pioneers during the 1870's but there were almost six hundred miles of canyons standing in their way on the Colorado River. Glen Canyon was the only place to cross wagons. There was a ferry established during 1873 since the area made it easy to get from Utah to Arizona.

Lees Ferry named for John D. Lee the first operator of the ferry was important to everyone. Cars started crossing the river with the ferry during the 1920's. Marble Canyon was chosen as a place to build the Historic Navajo Bridge when it was decided a safer way to cross the river was required.

June of 1927 is when the construction on the bridge began. It was difficult to get materials to the area and the ferry was used to assist. The Lees Ferry sank in 1928 and was not replaced because the bridge was so close to being completed.