Our mission to visit every Virginia State Park in 2016 has been the most fun and exciting adventure.

When we started the challenge, we had a goal to hit 36 parks and we are so excited that this year, the 80th anniversary of the Virginia State Parks, a new 37th park was inducted into the system.

We didn’t want to pass up an opportunity to visit the newest addition to the park family, but our schedule is strictly pre-planned for the remainder of our challenge and we had no choice but to visit Natural Bridge a mere 1-week before it’s official grand opening as a Virginia State Park.

Natural Bridge is massive in size and nearly impossible to do it justice in photos

September 18, 2016, Natural Bridge State Park

Natural Bridge itself is deeply rooted in our Nation’s History having been a sacred site for the Monacan Indian Nation, visited, according to legend, by George Washington, and owned by Thomas Jefferson before being taken over by the Virginia Conservation Legacy Fund. *Learn more about the history here.

In total, this 1,540 acre park contains 3 hiking trails, a Monacan Village reenactment, waterfalls, and of course, the bridge itself.

Enjoy a walk underneath this impressive monument, or hang out on one of the many benches lining the trail

For this visit we chose to hike the 0.8 mile Cedar Creek Trail which begins with a series of stairs along a woodland stream taking you down to the base of the bridge. If stairs aren’t for you, there is a shuttle to bring you to the bottom of the hill and back up again.

Stairs along the Cedar Creek Trail leading down to the bridge (there is also a shuttle and wheelchair lift for those unable to tackle all these steps)

The trail is paved and relatively flat reaching the bridge early on with plenty of benches to sit and enjoy the view. It really is an impressive landmark, and definitely a site to see.

After passing under the bridge and continuing a little ways down the trail is a mock-Monacan Village; complete with Wigwams, cooking area, animal pelts, re-enactors and more; it was a great learning opportunity, and an overall neat place to explore.

The Cedar Creek Trail is an easy, paved path throughout its entirety

This trail culminates at a picturesque waterfall, framed by the surrounding trees and reflective creek water filled with fish enjoying their home. The trail isn’t a loop, so you have to turn around to get back to the beginning, but it’s just as enjoyable the second time around.

Sit and enjoy Lace Falls before heading back towards the bridge

We stopped at a snack stand for lunch alongside Cedar Creek and enjoyed the flowing body of water which formed this impressive arch that has withstood the test of time.

Enjoy the peaceful waters of Cedar Creek running along the trail