Waterfall Hero Hikes: Natural Bridge State Park (Virginia)

Natural Bridge State Park is a 1,500-acre Virginia State Park in Rockbridge County. The park is named for Natural Bridge, a 215-foot high natural rock arch carved by Cedar Creek. The area around the bridge was originally purchased by Thomas Jefferson in 1774 and remained in private ownership for more than 200 years. Natural Bridge was a private park and attraction until it became Virginia's 37th state park in 2016. The hotel and caverns are still in private ownership. There are seven miles of trails through the park's karst terrain to a number of scenic and historic attractions.

Contact Information:

6477 South Lee Highway

Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Phone: (540) 291-1326

Email: naturalbridge@dcr.virginia.gov

Directions:

From Roanoke, head north on I-581 for about 5 miles and take exit 1 for I-81 north. Go 32 miles and take exit 175 for US-11 north. Turn right on US-11 and drive 1.6 miles to the park entrance on the right.

Map:

Trails:

Blue Ridge Trail:

Length: 3.3 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Blue

Blue Ridge Trail starts from a parking area along US-11 just past the caverns. The trail makes a loop through forests and open meadows.

Cedar Creek Trail:

Length: 0.8 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Blaze: Yellow

Cedar Creek Trail starts behind the Visitor Center and descends via stairs to the Contact Station. The paved trail extends under the Natural Bridge and follows Cedar Creek upstream to Lace Falls.

Points of Interest:

Cascade Falls:

Cascade Falls is a series of small cascades along the steps down to Natural Bridge.

Hemlock Island:

Lace Falls:

Lace Falls is a small sliding waterfall on Cedar Creek at the end of Cedar Creek Trail.

Lost River:

Lost River is an underground river that was discovered by workers at the nearby Saltpeter Cave. The source and destination of the river has not been identified.

Natural Bridge:

Natural Bridge is a 215-foot high limestone rock arch spanning Cedar Creek. The bridge is right past the Contact Station along Cedar Creek Trail. US-11 (Lee Highway) runs right over the Natural Bridge.