Hite Crossing Bridge

The Hite bridge informally marks the upstream limit of Lake Powell and is the only bridge spanning the Colorado River between the bridge 110 miles upstream in Moab and the Glen Canyon Bridge, 185 miles downstream.

The Colorado River was a tough river to cross for early settlers and explorers. It wasn’t until 1880 that a prospector named Cass Hite established a ford 2 miles downstream from the present-day bridge location. His ford was called “Dandy Crossing”.

In 1946, a settler named Arthur Chaffin built an automobile ferry using an old car engine and a thick steel cable which operated for 20 years until the Glen Canyon Dam was built and Lake Powell was created.

The Hite Bridge was built in 1966 to create a new crossing for Highway 95 due to the old one being underwater in the town of Hite downstream from here.

Getting there

From Hanksville drive south on UT-95 for about 48 miles

Note

Stop at the Hite Overlook on the west side of the bridge. It is a turn off at ( 37.886028, -110.414385 ) and a short spur road that takes you out to an overlook.

Explore Nearby...

Hikes...

Leprechaun Canyon – Hike

A short and fun hike in a non-technical slot canyon with corkscrew narrows, beautiful high-colored walled sections and a final narrow section with just a crack of light that will shine down from above.

Arsenic Arch

A little-known, rarely visited arch you can have all to yourself is hidden inside Poison Spring Canyon.

Hog Spring – Hike

Hog Springs is a nice rest stop and picnic area next to the highway with a short scenic hike that takes you to a spring-fed pool and the Cleopatra rock art panel is also close by

Scenic Drives...

How to photograph Factory Butte

Tips for photographing Factory Butte rising 1400 feet above the barren otherworldly landscape surrounding it

Moonscape Overlook – a photography paradise

A must-see viewpoint east of Factory Butte overlooking the moon-like badlands below

Hite Crossing Bridge

The bridge marks the upstream limit of Lake Powell and is the only bridge spanning the Colorado River between the bridge 110 miles upstream in Moab and the Glen Canyon Bridge, 185 miles downstream.