Chittenden Memorial Bridge

Chittenden Memorial Bridge is an arch bridge made of steel and concrete that spans the Yellowstone River and connects to the Grand Loop Road. The structure allows visitors to cross the river and reach viewpoints for both the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls.

The original bridge was built in 1903 by Captain Hiram M. Chittenden as part of the park's early infrastructure development. It was replaced with a new structure in 1963 to accommodate increasing visitor traffic and modern engineering standards.

The structure takes its name from Captain Hiram M. Chittenden, an engineer whose vision shaped many paths and viewpoints throughout the park that visitors use today. His work here reflects the early 20th century approach to making natural wonders accessible to the public.

The bridge sits at a central location in the park and is easy to reach from the main roads and nearby pullouts. During busy seasons, this area draws many visitors, so early morning or late afternoon visits tend to be less crowded.

The original 1903 construction involved continuous manual concrete mixing over an extended period to ensure the structure could safely span the river. This labor-intensive process reflects the engineering challenges of building in this remote mountain environment.