Looking to get out of town for a little while before summer is officially over? Hop in the car and head south for a trip to Natural Bridge State Park, a stunning outdoor feature in the Shenandoah Valley. Here’s how you can spend a day (or two) at the natural landmark and its surrounding towns.
Drive time from Dulles: About 3 hours
See the Sights
Of course, the bridge itself is the main attraction. This national landmark in Rockbridge County is a 200-foot-tall rock formation that arches over the gorge below to give the appearance of a bridge. According to the state park’s website, the limestone formation was formed hundreds of years ago by an underground river that flowed through the limestone. It eventually collapsed, and the Natural Bridge was the only section that remained. Accessing the bridge requires navigating a stairway of 137 steps.
Inside the park, take in the views of the bridge and snap as many photos as you’d like, then spend time exploring the park’s meadows and trails. There are 10 miles of hiking trails, including the mile-long Cedar Creek Trail, which runs from the visitor center to a 50-foot waterfall.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk, with admission fees of $9 for adults and $6 for kids 3 to 12. There is a $5 per car fee at the trail head.
As a bonus, Natural Bridge State Park is a certified Dark Sky Park. If you’ll be staying in the area overnight, you can book one of the park’s stargazing events like the Labor Day Dark Sky Night, where you can observe the cosmos without light pollution.
Another destination attraction right in the area is the Caverns at Natural Bridge, where visitors can take guided tours of caves that reach 34 stories below the surface. Tours take around 45 minutes and cost $20 for adults and $13 for kids 3 to 12.
Take a Detour in Lexington
Nearby Lexington makes for a convenient place to stop for a bite to eat on your way to or from the Natural Bridge State Park.
In downtown Lexington, you’ll find an array of restaurants like the casual Pure Eats, the farm-focused Haywood’s at the Georges hotel, and Heliotrope Brewery, for wood-fired pizza and craft beer. Farther north is an outpost of Devils Backbone Brewing Company, which offers handheld and shareable bites.
You can also take some time to explore Lexington’s local shopping opportunities, which include antique stores, art galleries, clothing boutiques, and more.
… Or in Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, home to James Madison University, makes for another potential pit stop. Here, cafés and eateries like Clementine Cafe, Bella Luna Woodfired Pizza, and Black Sheep Coffee offer a chance to refuel with a meal or coffee.
For those looking to stay a while, you can explore some of the town’s museums, including the Virginia Quilt Museum and the kid-friendly Explore More Discovery Museum, or catch a Saturday show at JMU’s John C. Wells Planetarium.
Local shops are plentiful here, too, with spots like (Parentheses) Books, fair-trade shop Ten Thousand Villages, and Elk Run Mining Co., which sells jewelry made from Virginia gemstones. Don’t forget to grab a scoop of fresh custard at Kline’s Dairy Bar before you hit the road.
Feature image of Natural Bridge, Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com
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