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Discover the awe-inspiring wonder that’s impressed visitors for eons.
Even if you’re hard to impress, the geological formation that gives Natural Bridge State Park its name will make you say, “WOW!” Virginia’s Natural Bridge is an astonishing genuine beauty.
“The bridge itself is a pretty spectacular feature,” says Park Manager Jim Jones. “That’s what draws everybody to the park, it’s the main attraction. People say that words just don’t describe it and pictures can’t do it justice. Most of the time when I’m there interacting with park guests, their first word is ‘wow.’ It’s one of those impressive things that leaves you speechless.”
Before becoming a state park, the bridge was privately owned for nearly 250 years. In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased it and 157 surrounding acres from King George III of England for 20 shillings. “Thomas Jefferson hired a freed African American by the name of Patrick Henry to be the caretaker here,” says Jones. “He lived on the property with his wife and did a lot of what we do today, including taking people down to visit the bridge, so we like to say that Patrick Henry was our first park ranger.”
The 215-foot tall bridge was carved out of limestone by Cedar Creek as part of the karst terrain created by erosion. “Our bedrock is fairly soft as rocks go and the topography we have here up and down the Shenandoah Valley is like a honeycomb of caves, caverns, and cracks,” says Jones.
With 1,500 acres, today’s Natural Bridge State Park offers much more than the bridge. Find beautiful forests, rolling meadows, mountain vistas and the James River valley. Among the park’s six miles of hiking trails is the universally-accessible Cedar Creek Trail that leads from the bridge to the Monacan Village, Lost River, and 30-foot cascading Lace Falls. Both the nearly two-mile Buck Hill Trail and three-mile Blue Ridge Trail offer stunning views of the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Monacan Village, typically open from April 1 through Thanksgiving weekend, is a living history showcase of how native people lived in 1699. Watch reenactors fix food, tan hides, build structures, weave fishing nets and baskets, cook, garden, and make pottery.
Throughout the year, the park hosts a variety of fun workshops, programs, and events. “Park After Dark” opens areas typically closed after sunset with options like “Full Moon Yoga” sessions and “Owl Prowl” hikes that look for nocturnal animals. “Art in the Park” showcases local artists demonstrations. Each fall, wagon rides are offered on Saturdays. In December, horse-drawn carriage rides pass by luminaries and festive light displays. “Hearts & Tales” near Valentine’s Day offers horse-drawn carriage rides with historic stories about courtship. “Kids Fishing Day” is typically the first Saturday in April. Interactive classrooms in and outdoors introduce programs like “Leave No Trace,” which encourages hikers to minimize environmental impact.
Natural Bridge State Park is applying for designation as an International Dark Sky Park. “A lot of people who come here from metropolitan environments simply don’t have the view of the night sky that we do,” says Jones. “This gives us an opportunity to educate about light pollution and how it disrupts animals’ feeding patterns and natural biorhythms.”
A new Kids’ Discovery Play Trail is expected to open this fall. “Eight different stations in a nature classroom will give kids an opportunity to play outdoors in the dirt and be creative,” says Jones. “They’ll be able to build forts in the woods, step into a grove of trees that’s a cool place to play, draw on a blackboard, act in a mini amphitheater, play music on hollow logs,” and more options.
NOTE: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, travel is being strongly discouraged. Rockbridge Regional Tourism joins in support of these measures to protect the health of our citizens and communities. During this period of social distancing, we hope you will take the opportunity to seek inspiration for your future travels, once the pandemic has passed. Our destinations will be grateful for your support and eagerly await the day when they can reopen to receive and greet you.
Written by Hope S. Philbrick, editor Foodie Travel USA. Rockbridge County is the southern gateway to the Shenandoah Valley and is home to college towns Lexington and Buena Vista. More information can be found at LexingtonVirginia.com.
