Natural Bridge State Park in Natural Bridge, Virginia, preserves a 215-foot-high, 90-foot-wide limestone arch that has been a landmark of the eastern United States since the Monacan Nation regarded it as a sacred site and George Washington surveyed it as a young surveyor in the 1750s. The park entrance is at 6477 S Lee Hwy, approximately 115 miles from Richmond (2 hours via I-64 West to I-81 South to US-11 South) and 195 miles from Washington, D.C. (about 3 hours). No public transit reaches Natural Bridge; a personal or rental vehicle is required. Virginia State Parks charges a parking fee of approximately $5–7 per vehicle; the arch and Cedar Creek Trail are free to access once inside. The Cedar Creek Trail descends 137 steps from the parking area to Cedar Creek at the base of the arch, then follows a mostly flat 1.5-mile path beneath the 215-foot span to Lace Falls, a 10-foot cascade in a forested limestone gorge. The round-trip covers 3 miles and takes approximately 1.5–2 hours; the 137-step climb on return is the most physically demanding segment. The arch itself is the primary draw — visitors walk directly beneath it and look straight up at 215 feet of uncut limestone carved by Cedar Creek over millions of years. The adjacent Natural Bridge Zoo and Monacan Indian Living History Village provide context for family visits. Historic Lexington, 15 miles north on US-11, adds Washington and Lee University with Robert E. Lee's original chapel, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Museum, and Stonewall Jackson's house museum to a convenient day loop. The Natural Bridge Hotel, adjacent to the park, has a restaurant open for lunch and dinner. Spring waterfall flow peaks on Cedar Creek from March through April; mid-October brings fall foliage color to the gorge.
How to get there
- Car via I-81 S
Location
6477 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578
37.6327, -79.5423 View on map
Highlights
- Walk beneath the 215-foot Natural Bridge limestone arch, carved by Cedar Creek over millions of years
- Hike the Cedar Creek Trail to Lace Falls — a 3-mile round-trip through a forested limestone gorge
- Visit the adjacent Monacan Indian Living History Village to explore indigenous culture connected to the bridge
- Combine with historic Lexington, 15 miles north, for Washington and Lee University and the VMI Museum
- See peak spring waterfall flow on Cedar Creek from March through April
Tips for visiting
- Arrive before 10:00 a.m. on summer and fall weekends to secure parking; the main lot fills quickly at peak times.
- The Cedar Creek Trail descends 137 steps at the trailhead — the return climb is the most strenuous part of the hike; allow extra time.
- Pack water and snacks; the only nearby dining is the Natural Bridge Hotel restaurant adjacent to the park entrance.
- Pair the visit with Lexington, 15 miles north on US-11, to add Washington and Lee University, VMI, and a downtown lunch in a historic college town.
- Spring (March–April) offers the best waterfall flow on Cedar Creek; mid-October brings peak fall foliage to the gorge.
When to visit
March through April for peak spring waterfall flow on Cedar Creek; mid-October for fall foliage color in the gorge. Spring and fall both offer comfortable temperatures for the Cedar Creek Trail's 137-step descent and return climb.
Frequently asked questions
Is Natural Bridge still privately owned or is it now a state park?
Natural Bridge became a Virginia State Park in 2016 after the Commonwealth of Virginia purchased the property. The arch and Cedar Creek Trail are now publicly accessible. The adjacent hotel, zoo, and caverns remain separately owned and charge their own admission.
How difficult is the hike to see the Natural Bridge arch?
The Cedar Creek Trail descends 137 steps from the parking area to creek level, then follows an easy, mostly flat path beneath the arch to Lace Falls (1.5 miles one-way). The return climb up the 137 steps is the most physically demanding portion. The full round-trip takes approximately 1.5–2 hours at a relaxed pace.
Is there a fee to enter Natural Bridge State Park?
There is a parking fee of approximately $5–7 USD per vehicle. The Natural Bridge arch and Cedar Creek Trail are free to access once inside the park. The adjacent Natural Bridge Zoo and caverns are privately operated and charge separate admission fees.
What else is near Natural Bridge for a full day trip from Richmond?
Lexington, 15 miles north on US-11, offers Washington and Lee University with Robert E. Lee's original chapel, the Virginia Military Institute Museum, and Stonewall Jackson's preserved house museum. Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is 40 miles south via US-11 and US-460 for Civil War history.