In Virginia’s Natural Bridge State Park, history and nature come together in the most fascinating ways. As a history buff, I have always been drawn to sites that tell tales, and let me tell you that this historic bridge in Virginia is full of stories that will make your jaw drop.
Can you imagine having an extensive limestone arch that stands 215 feet tall and spans 90 feet, carved by Cedar Creek right there in front of you?
Me, personally? I felt tiny!
In a humbling way, I was humbled by this impressive sight. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark, this incredible work of Mother Nature has been the focus of attention for centuries, drawing many of America’s founders.
One of these was Thomas Jefferson, who bought the bridge from King George III for just a few shillings. Which, when I tried converting to today’s USD value but it appears to be what…less than a dollar? 🤔
In addition to this, there’s somewhat of a ‘legend‘ that involves George Washington and the walls of this impressive arch, which you’ll read more about further down in this post.
But one of the other things that makes Natural Bridge State Park—Virginia’s 37th state park, so special, is that it’s one of the most amazing places to visit in Lexington, which comes with rewarding and unforgettable experiences.
Come with me as we explore ten out-of-the-ordinary bits of information about this location that will inspire you to book a trip!
1. It All Started With A Sinkhole
Believe it or not, centuries ago a massive sinkhole opened up close to I-81 and it took Cedar Creek and transformed it into an underground river.
The limestone layer was eroded by this subterranean stream creating a deep cave that later on collapsed leading to the arch we see today. The park’s Cedar Creek Trail is a great way to appreciate the rich geologic history featured in this place.
2. This Historic Bridge in Virginia Was Almost the 8th Wonder of the World
Believe it or not, this historic Natural Bridge in Virginia is one of the places that was once running for a title that could have placed it with other wonders such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
In the 19th century, many people were considering naming this place the “8th Wonder of the World.”
This historic Natural Bridge attracted many European tourists during the 18th and 19th centuries. At the time, the only other American landmark that was referred to as “sublime”, was Niagara Falls.
The bridge’s significant size, natural beauty, and historical importance were immensely considered to be the basis for this incredible title.
But by the late 1800s when Yellowstone National Park was established and paintings of the Grand Canyon began circling, this gave a completely new meaning to what a natural wonder was and this Natural Bridge didn’t quite fit the new hype. You can read more about this fascinating story at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
Nonetheless, the Natural Bridge was one of the most incredible geological marvels in the world and as I was standing beneath that massive arch, it was easy to understand the reason why it had been considered to be one of the wonders of the world.
3. Thomas Jefferson Bought It
Two of our founding fathers of America, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington, were great fans of Natural Bridge. When Jefferson first visited the site in 1767 he was so amazed that he called it “Nature’s most sublime work“.
Fast forward a few years to 1774, and Jefferson purchased the bridge including 157 acres of the surrounding land from King George III of England for a mere 20 shillings!
4. George Washington Was Here… Or Was He?
The story of George Washington’s involvement with Natural Bridge is quite an intriguing one, to say the least. According to the Historical Marker Database, it was Washington who came to this site to survey the land, during which he allegedly carved his initials “G.W.” into the wall of the bridge arch.
The question of whether or not this is actually true remains well uncertain. However, tradition has passed on this story for generations and it’s part of the fascinating history behind Virginia’s Natural Bridge.
📸 How to find George Washington’s initials on the Natural Bridge: Walking up towards the bridge, stand underneath the arch, and look to the left side of the arch’s walls. At about 23 feet high, you’ll see the subtle carving of the initials marked with a square around them.
5. The Illumination is a Century-old Tradition
When the sun goes down behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, another magical thing happens at this historic Natural Bridge in Virginia.
A near-century-old tradition turns the bridge into a beautiful illuminating show on the last Saturday night of each month, from April to October. The arch is brightly illuminated by dozens of lights shining down on it, from top to bottom.
This tradition dates back to the first lighting at the Natural Bridge, which took place back in 1927.
6. It’s an International Dark Sky Park
This will make you see stars – literally!
Natural Bridge State Park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Park since 2021. This is one of 4 state parks in Virginia with this designation, and a total of 5 for the state of Virginia itself—which includes Shenandoah National Park, making it the state with the most designated International Dark Sky Parks east of the Mississippi.
With so much pollution east of the Mississippi, it’s hard to find good stargazing opportunities in this area. Fortunately, this designation means that Natural Bridge State Park is one of the best destinations for stargazing on the East Coast.
Imagine looking up at this ancient limestone arch and seeing the Milky Way across a sky full of stars. Ahhh!! Speechless! Definitely an incredible view that will take your breath away!
7. There Is a Waterfall
This is one of the most amazing hidden gems in this park! Many people miss this when visiting Natural Bridge State Park because we all visit primarily for the Bridge—for all the right reasons!
But along the 2-mile accessible Cedar Creek Trail, you will find Lace Falls. These falls with an approximate 50 feet drop, softly cascade through the rocks surrounded by a very quiet and peaceful scenery.
Before getting to the falls, you’ll see an opening through the trees referred to as Lost River—a mysterious underground river that no one really knows much about.
According to the Historical Marker Database, this hole was opened by some of the workers at Saltpeter Cave because they heard the sound of the water.
However, after many attempts to find the river source, it has been unsuccessful to this day.
8. It Was Jefferson’s Unfulfilled Dream
In a more sentimental fact, the reality is that Thomas Jefferson bought Natural Bridge, hoping to develop it into an early public park for everyone to enjoy.
Unfortunately, this didn’t happen within his lifetime. Although in 1988 Natural Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark, it took a very long time before the state of Virginia opened it to the public.
It wasn’t until 2016 that Natural Bridge State Park officially happened, and although he wasn’t there to see it, Jefferson’s dream was fulfilled.
9. It Was a Holy Place For A Native American Tribe
Before the European settlers arrived in Virginia, the Natural Bridge was a site of deep spiritual significance for the Native American tribes living there, especially for the Monacan tribe.
The Monacans didn’t just see a geological phenomenon; they saw it as a sacred spot connected to the presence of divine assistance.
According to the tribe’s folklore accounts, there was a situation in the past where the Monacan tribe found themselves facing a life threat when they arrived at the brim of a vast canyon impossible to cross.
They called out to the “Great Spirit” for help when they noticed the Bridge and crossed under it for safety. It became their sacred place which they called “Great Path“. When visiting the state park, stop by the Monacan Indian Village!
10. It Has a Cave!
Although this limestone arch is clearly the main attraction, Natural Bridge State Park is much more than its namesake creation. This 1,500-acre park is a gem full of natural wonders ready to be discovered.
One of these wonders is a cave with a history that is single-handedly beyond a geological interest to be just looked at.
Along Cedar Creek Trail, you’ll find Saltpeter Cave. Mined in 1812 during the war, this cave played an influential part in the early days of American history, thanks to…Thomas Jefferson; who else?
In an ever-entrepreneurial style, Jefferson rented out this cave for a very unique purpose: the digging of potassium nitrate.
But, why was this mineral so vital?
As it turns out, potassium nitrate which is obtained from the deposits of birds and bats’ droppings present in the soil of the cave, was a vital ingredient in the production of saltpeter—one of the main ingredients for producing gunpowder.
Bonus: There Are Ghosts Nearby
With the rise of the population of the Natural Bridge that came after Thomas Jefferson bought this land, a resort was built in the late 1800s.
It was then turned into the Appledore Hotel in 1890, and today, we know it as the Natural Bridge Hotel that’s right across the street from the park’s visitor center.
It’s important to note that while the hotel is privately owned and not affiliated with the state park, the history behind it is quite the… story!
Allegedly, in a mysterious and unexplained way, a fire broke out inside the original hotel back in 1963. After the hotel was rebuilt, the deaths of former owners and managers of the hotel were the least of the happenings.
Since then, many unexplained deaths and strange things have been happening within the hotel walls, with former employees calling out a dark presence and haunting experiences.
If you are feeling brave, the Haunted History Lantern Tour at Natural Bridge State Park just might be for you and it’s a great combination of history and mystery that is guaranteed to give you goosebumps!
Final Thoughts
If I’m being honest, when we visited Natural Bridge State Park I thought it was just about the historic bridge. But I was so wrong!
This entire place is as fascinating as the bridge itself. Even just standing in front of the visitor’s center building will have you in awe of how different and unique it is.
Whether or not you’re a history buff or nature lover, planning a visit to this historic bridge in Virginia will definitely be an unforgettable experience, even more, so if you visit during fall season.
And so…rather than just reading about its history, walk right through it!
Don’t miss out on this hidden gem in Virginia and plan your visit today ☺️
Save this for later!
Yanitza is an avid adventurer with 15+ years of hiking experience and outdoor travel. As a PADI-certified scuba diver, she’s also passionate about ocean conservation. When she’s not exploring the great outdoors, Yanitza obsesses over The Vampire Diaries and dreams of traveling to Mallorca, Spain.
Wow, great photos! It’s amazing to see the scale of the rock bridge against a regular-sized person.
Thank you! Oh, yes! I really wanted that particular detail captured because it really is THAT big! Thank you for reading!
This is sooooo cool! It’s also extra beautiful when you visited in autumn with the light shining through the leaves like that. I have to admit, I did not expect you to say Thomas Jefferson bought it!? Such a cool historical nugget!
Right!? I had to share what I learned during my visit because I was so fascinated by all of it. It’s an incredible place for sure!
Wow, what a fascinating place to visit – I’d never heard of this place, let alone the many legends and the history surrounding it. This is sucha great article!
Thank you! I’m really happy to know you enjoyed it. The history makes it even more magical!