The Natural Bridge

This 215 feet tall natural wonder was owned by Thomas Jefferson, and visited by George Washington, who was so moved by its beauty that he felt compelled to carve his initials into the rock (it is still there for viewing today). Spanning over Cedar Creek, the Natural Bridge is approximately 90 feet long by 150 feet wide.

The bridge is the product of thousands of years of erosion and a cavern collapsing- it is an extremely rare result that such a perfect arc would form under these circumstances. This place is very picturesque, and many tourists from around the country and abroad find time to visit the natural curiosity. Prior to Thomas Jefferson acquiring this land from King George III, the native Monacan Tribe believed that the Natural Bridge was the “Bridge of the God”. There is a standing Monacan village about ¼ of a mile away from the Natural Bridge and totally worth the visit; it is both entertaining and educational.

Also very close to The Natural Bridge is a walking trail, which passes a waterfall, a cave, and trees that are over 1,000 years old. Strangely out of place, there is also a haunted house, a toy house, and wax museum. An eccentric man by the name of Mark Cline built a “foamhenge”, a replica of the Stonehenge in England. It is very accurate, and if you take your picture with it, you can definitely fool people into thinking you’ve traveled to England. There is also a –wait for it - Dino Kingdom, where large statues of dinosaurs “roam” the park. Since this attraction does draw tourists, there are hotels, campsites, and restaurants nearby. There is a nearby small zoo, but we don’t recommend wasting your time or money there, for there is a much better, legitimate Virginia Safari Park, where many African animals roam freely. There is also a petting at the Safari Park. Prices for the Safari Park are about $10.

The Natural Bridge is open from dawn to dusk, but there is an admission fee to see this Natural Wonder. Although Thomas Jefferson and his family no longer own the property, someone does, and that someone realized that maintaining a natural park is an expensive task. Prices are still cheap though – admission to the Bridge, Monacan Village, and light and sound show run about $12. There are great deals with combination tickets too, located at the ticket booth leading to the attractions. Depending on how much time you are willing to spend here, you may want to consider these combined tickets to save money. If you want to get married at the Natural Bridge (…or Dino Kingdom….?) there are special rates available too.

The Natural Bridge is still a place of sublime beauty and a humbling reminder that forces of nature, far greater than us, is still at work. If you wish to start planning your trip to The Natural Bridge, see our “Places to Stay”, “Places to Eat”, and “Things to Do” options on our homepage.




Virginia Tourists Guide - The Natural Bridge