About Ayres Natural Bridge
LaPrele Creek flows directly beneath a broad red sandstone arch at Ayres Natural Bridge Park. The opening is about 30 feet high and 50 feet wide, large enough to resemble a bridge deliberately built across the water.
The structure formed when the creek pressed against a bend in the sandstone wall and gradually carved a shortcut through it. As the opening widened, the stream abandoned its longer route and began flowing beneath the arch. The result is technically a natural bridge rather than a dry rock arch because running water created and still occupies the passage.
The site lies close to the historic Oregon Trail. Westbound emigrants sometimes left the main route to rest here, making it one of Wyoming’s earliest sightseeing destinations. A pioneer account from 1843 marveled that the opening looked almost as regular as something shaped by human hands.
Today the surrounding county park includes picnic areas, short trails, fishing access, and a small seasonal campground. An unfinished early twentieth-century powerhouse near the entrance adds another curious piece of history.
Why it’s weird: A living creek tunneled through a sandstone wall, redirected itself through the hole, and created a rock bridge that looks unexpectedly engineered.
Visitor info: The park is south of Interstate 25 near Douglas and operates seasonally. Admission is free, pets are prohibited, and visitors should confirm current hours before arriving.