Natural Bridge State Park

One of my favorite state parks I've been to! You can access most trails etc for free. $9/person to walk the trail to natural bridge. Very worth it - the trail is easy and well maintained, and you also get to see a cave, hidden river, and waterfall. Nice gift shop and they sell some coffee drinks as well.

January 7, 2026 - Mix Outdoors fun Exercise & History. . . Visit The Natural Bridge ! Use “Natural Bridge” you get: *Refers to a town in VA *Refers to VA State Park *Refers to Historic landmark *Refers to Monocan Tribe holy site *Refers to a tourist destination *Refers to a large hotel in Park —————————————————— It’s been years since I visited this tourist spot with my Dad, back in the 1960’s! Beautiful sunny day, my wife and I stopped for a hike along Cedar Creek Trail , to see the actual limestone 215 ft. Natural Bridge! Tickets cost $9 each for ages 13 up ! ( kids age 3 to 12 costs $6 each) Wasn’t busy in January, but spring thru October brings families & school bus trips! Big Visitors Center closed today for “ training” 😳! There’s a small visitors store ( at the bottom of the entrance steps) with limited merchandise, some snacks, ice cream, and drinks. There’s a staff road around the steps , for folks with mobility challenges. Your entrance ticket gets you on a pathway to the following “ exhibits”: 1. Walk to The Natural Bridge 2. Walk to Saltpeter cave 3. Walk by “ The Lost River” ( small hole in the rock wall, hear the water 4. Walk to end of path, LACE Falls Over-all the easy walking is .8 of a mile out to LACE Falls. ( fairly flat) There are a few historic plaques to read about the sites & history ! 👍😃 There are other trails, nearby this Cedar Creek Trail, to hike. We stopped to check these trails, looked good with trailhead map for distance & difficulty levels! ($5 per car expected in the “ pay box” next to Trailhead marker!) Fun Facts - The Natural Bridge 😃 * Monocan Indians lived here, called this “ The Bridge of God” *1742 -John Howard early explorer *1750 -G. Washington surveyed area *1767 - T. Jefferson visited area *1774 - T. J. purchased 157 acres here *1817 - T.J. Hired Patrick Henry ( freed slave) as caretaker on this land *1833 - Natural Bridge property sold to private investors, from T.J. estate *1880’s - Col. Henry Parsons owned Natural Bridge property *1906 - Large Natural Bridge Hotel *1925- Ownership to Natural Bridge of Virginia group *1927 - Lighting of bridge at night by Samuel Stephens Westinghouse Co. *1964 - Natural Bridge Hotel burned down, hotel rebuilt *1998 - National Historic Landmark *2004 - Added “Foamhedge” *2013 - VA Conservation Legacy Fund gains ownership of Natural Bridge *2016 - VA established Natural Bridge State Park *2017 - “Foamhedge relocated to Centreville ** Thomas Jefferson considered The Natural Bridge an iconic American site of natural beauty equal to Niagara Falls!

Skyline trail was a great loop hike with beautiful panoramic views and quiet solitude. We visited on Valentine’s Day and had the whole place to ourselves. Dogs on leash allowed in all areas of the park. We walked down from the visitors center to the natural bridge and that was cool too- caverns were closed due to renovations/safety upgrades. We had a wonderful day here and would happily come back and try more of the free trails!

The Natural Bridge State Park is a great place to relax, enjoy nature, learn the history of the state park and get some exercise. The trails are clear & marked perfectly. The sites and sounds of the state park are amazing. A great time will be had by all.

Overall, the State Park is wonderful! The arch is just magnificent and the amenities were great. We walked the Cedar Creek Trail which was beautiful. Our only issue is we found Lace Falls (at the end of the trail) extremely underwhelming. The employee selling tix overhyped it significantly!

This has been in my saved items for a minute as we live in Georgia. We were in Virginia near Fredericksburg and I saw a route home that went right by the park, well minutes off our route lol. It was very cold that morning in the low 40s and WINDY. I was hoping it would be doable since it’s a canyon. The visitors center/ gift shop is very nice, I saw a sign for iced coffee as well as hot coffee, I didn’t actually go see what else they had for sale in that respect. Yes there are stairs but the sets of them are spread out. We had our senior beagle with us and she did great. Someone with bad knees who typically has problems with stairs would have problems here. But if you have stair problems but can manage at a slower pace it’s doable. I specifically took several pictures of the stairs. The natural bridge is just a short walk from the bottom of stairs where you show your ticket. The path to the waterfall end is well kept, they were raking leaves off the path when we were there. The salt peter cave was really awesome. It took us about 30 minutes to get to end of the trail with several stops for pictures. I am always finding places to hike short and long, so my husband never knows what I may come up with. Apparently there was some miscommunication on this adventure. He thought we were driving over a bridge not walking 2.5 total on our 8 hour way home after a busy weekend. Well he was impressed and indulged my need to go all the way to the waterfall. There are other hiking trails in the park that hopefully one day we will be on. It’s a beautiful area. We were there the first weekend in November.

Beautiful park to stroll through! All levels of endurance can enjoy the trail to the falls. Counting the steps from the parking lot.. approximately 150 stairs.. know as you go down, you need to climb back up! Go easy, stop at different levels if you need to. Flours were beautiful.. leaves were beginning to change.. the water is crystal clear. Nothing better than hearing the water go over the rocks🤎 I actually saw a pawpaw fruit on my walk! 😃 You can pay for your pass once you reach the lower level as the gift store opens around 8 am. I was so glad I took the time to enjoy this gem of a park! All employees were happy, helpful, pleasant and a joy to converse with!!

We visited just past fall peak season but it was beautiful and impressive. We arrived before the main visitor center opened and paid at the “bottom”, near the creek. Restrooms were available. The bridge is the “star” but the trail along the creek is very nice and easy.

It's a bridge that's been created by nature over a period of decades -- nay, centuries! Natural Bridge State Park is a marvel and a natural wonder. It's a must-visit when you're in the area. The park is home to the namesake natural bridge, a 215-foot tall limestone arch that spans 90 feet across Cedar Creek. This geological formation is estimated to be over 500 million years old and is a sight to behold, especially when illuminated during the park's evening light show. Ideally, you'll want to start your visit at the Visitor's Center, where you'll find a huge gift shop and exhibits and information about the park's history, geology and ecology. Then, make your way down Cedar Creek Trail, which requires walking down 137 steps. Accommodations can be made for those with strollers or wheelchairs. As you wind your way down the hiking trail, you'll encounter water falls, forests, caves and more that will immerse you in the park's natural beauty. The caves were really neat to explore. They're not very deep, but they offer a different perspective of the park that's cool (literally, because they're caves and the temperature is lower). It was an easy hike for me, as most of it is paved. The walk down is beautiful. I visited in late summer/early fall, and there weren't too many people. The park was nicely desolate, so my photos were poppin' because there weren't people in them taking up space. This area of the country is so lush and beautiful. Natural Bridge State Park is just one place to take advantage of the amazing scenery of this part of Virginia.

The Natural Bridge is storied and goes back to the Revolutionary Era at least. It did not become a state park until relatively recently and I suspect was privately owned when I last visited over a decade ago. The facilities are still apparently a work in progress, and the main visitor center had not opened when I arrived, leading me to an awkward series of actions including buying a ticket from a building down in the valley that didn't even appear to be open and then having to go back up to the visitor center later and get that ticket price applied towards what I actually wanted: a state park pass which apparently isn't available at all ticketing locations for some reason. Anyway, let not the logistics distract you. Coming in the morning is a great choice due to the flow of light through the structure, but it likely will look majestic regardless of the conditions. The scope of it is likely bigger than one expects, and despite the fact that there is apparently a road running on top, it is sufficiently blocked off to preserve a decent visitor experience. A paved trail runs through some fantastic waterside scenery going upstream. The site is well documented by art and photography, but is of sufficient scope and majesty that I suspect most visitors will be glad they saw it in person.

Natural bridge national history park is a MUST visit! The pictures or videos honestly don't do it any justice. It was a 2 1/2 hours drive for us but it was worth it. It was just mesmerizing, it makes you appreciate mother nature and it's wonders. The hike/walk is actually not bad at all going down.... Now coming back up those stairs is a different story...but worth it, you get your steps in for sure. If you get a chance make the drive there, you will love it. #NatureLover #HikingAdventure #Virginia #NationalPark

This was our first visit since it became a State Park. Oh my, I'm so glad the park system has taken it over! Gone are the tacky touristy attractions that took away from the majesty and natural beauty of the bridge (definitely don't miss the wax museum Ha!). It is worth every penny of the $9 fee to hike down the cedar creek trail that take you to the bridge. You do have to negotiate the 137 steps, but it's not hard (the state has even shored up the steps making it easier than it used to be). They will also arrange for a shuttle, if you can't do the steps. Once you get to the bottom, round the curve and you will we awestruck. This is really a landmark that you HAVE to see if you are in the area! Pictures don't do it justice. Continue on the trail past the bridge and you come to the monacan village. Unfortunately, it is no longer staffed (that's the only thing I missed from the old private owner), but it's still there and there is signage. Further along the trail, you'll come to the old saltpeter mine (great history there), the lost River (more interesting history) and finally end at lace falls. The falls are beautiful. I wish you could get a little closer, but there really is no way to extend the path any closer. There are also several other trails than the Cedar Creek trail (that takes you to the bridge). You could definitely spend the day hiking them. The signage has all been updated with interesting historical facts. Again, this is a must see! Thank you VA State Parks for "classing up" the place!

Best bucks we've spent in a while on a park. We've seen nigh all of VA at this point but this is the one place I've always wanted to visit and we haven't in 20 years back and forth. So pretty, so interesting, such a nice walk with so much flora and fauna and a nicely accessible path. Worth a stop if you're in the area.

Amazing view. To get to the Natural Bridge you have to walk down about 150 steps which also means you have to come up them. There are places to sit along the way if needed so don't let the steps stop you because it is beautiful. There is a way to drive to it so it's handicap accessible with no steps but you can't just do it because you don't want to do the steps.

A small park but worth the visit and $9 for adults entry fee. The hike is around 2 miles round trip from the main gift area down a small path with stairs and into the entrance of the park (they'll check your receipt there) for you to walk under the bridge and on to a small waterfall if you choose. You'll pass a historic Indian village exhibit and cross and walk parallel to a flowing creek while you head to a small waterfall at the end of the hike. You can also cross a wooden footbridge and look into Salt Peter Cave. My husband is not from VA so he's never seen this park and I wanted him to see it. We really enjoyed it - about two hours is enough time. Natural Bridge (the town) is close to Lexington and has a few small shops and restaurants nearby so you can explore and also see the beautiful hotel up the hill if you choose. It's very cute and well-maintained with friendly park staff happy to answer questions.

Short hike, but definitely a classic park with a fantastic land bridge at its center. We had a great time and even a little exercise... next time we'll bring the kids!

What an excellent park and worth every penny to access the trail (we paid $18 for two). The Natural Bridge itself is gorgeous and stunning, every angle from along the path proffers a new view. But add in a historical indigenous peoples site, beautiful foliage and creeks, a cave, and a great hike itself and you have a detour that you'll always remember. I lived less than an hour away from this for many years and never took the time to visit so I'm glad a recent roadtrip corrected that. I hear it used to be a bit more "kitschy" but as it's now a state park and recognized national landmark this isn't the case today.

An amazing adventure. Must see. Follow the history. It is talked about in Moby Dick, and many of our for fathers. Explorers unite. Can you find the hidden fairy stones. If you know you know!!

We purchased a book about Virginia day trips and selected this park for our visit because the bridge looked so incredibly beautiful. There are no pictures or words to describe the awe you will feel when you see this natural bridge. Its story is no less wondrous. This natural structure stands as a testament to how amazing this earth we inhabit is and how we should take the time to enjoy it. The bridge stands within a sink hole that must have been a monumental shift in geography in the past. It is hard to comprehend. The forest rangers are a delight. They are helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. The gift shop is large and great fun. There is a counter for food where you can get pizza or sandwiches which are made on site. This, for sure, is a place worth taking the time to visit.

The natural bridge was even higher and more magnificent in person than what it looked like in pictures. The trail along the river leading up to it reminded me of the trail along the river leading to the Narrows in Zion National Park, except greener. There was a little cave along the trail that my son enjoyed exploring. The other trails in the park are not worth it. I would not waste time on the Skyline trail. It was very hot with no shade and just mowed grass. The children's area was broken down pieces of boards with rusty nails sticking out. Nothing to play with. The Monacan Village was closed and overgrown. I do think the admission fee was too much. It was almost as much as we paid for Zion National Park. The natural bridge and trail are beautiful, and worth seeing at least once, but not worth that much.

I haven't been here in years, and me and my son we're on a mini vacation in Roanoke so we decided to stop by. I'm so glad we did because the views were amazing. Ticket prices are very cheap and the entire walk to the waterfall is a little over 2 miles if I remember correctly. My son is three years old and he was able to do the walk. Definitely would recommend seeing if you're in the area the staff is very friendly too, and will answer all of your questions.

Gotta admit I was totally wrong. I was skeptical when my wife planned a day trip for Charlottesville for Natural Bridge State Park. I figured it was going to underwhelm but it was worth the drive, the admission, the visit. Way way cooler than I anticipated.

Wow, what a great way to spend an afternoon and a $9 per person entrance fee. Beautiful scenery, well-manicured trail (Cedar Creek Trail) along the creek. Park Rangers, well friendly to interact with were less than helpful when it came to offering information... FYI... if you ask you can drive down to the trailhead, with limited parking at the trailhead you may be able to drop off and pick up and not have to do the 120 stairsteps to, or back from, the entrance of the trailhead.

We went this past weekend on an impromptu visit. The views were beautiful. Easy hike except the stairs back up. I enjoyed seeing the cave and the waterfall.

An amazing natural wonder but what makes this outstanding are the people who work here. So helpful and really committed to making sure you have a great time. It is accessible if you ask. Don't skip this!

Great place to visit and short hike. Fun for couples and families. This is separate from the Caverns at the Natural Bridge.