A 200-foot limestone arch, a creekside trail to a waterfall, and about 40 minutes from the inn.
See the cottagesNatural Bridge is a 200-foot limestone arch over Cedar Creek, formed when the roof of a cave collapsed. Thomas Jefferson called it "the most sublime of Nature's works" and bought it in 1774. It's a National Historic Landmark and, since 2016, a Virginia state park of 1,635 acres.
The park is about 36 miles from the inn, roughly 40 minutes by car: I-64 east past Lexington, then south on I-81.
The main trail starts at the visitor center, goes down a 137-step stairway and follows the creek under the bridge, past Saltpeter Cave and the Lost River, to Lace Falls, a 50-foot cascade. In winter, ice can close the trail beyond the bridge, so call ahead.
There are more than 10 miles of other trails, an 18-hole disc golf course, and fishing for children 15 and under. The park is an International Dark Sky Park, with stargazing programs and evening lantern tours. The Caverns at Natural Bridge, now owned by the park, are closed for renovation; check with the park before planning around them.
Admission tickets are sold at the visitor center, and there's a parking fee. Swimming isn't allowed in the park.
Make a day of it with Virginia Safari Park, a drive-through safari a few minutes away, or Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery. For a harder hike, Devil's Marbleyard is a boulder field on the side of the Blue Ridge, about half an hour east.
Photo: Eric Moreno / CC BY 2.0
Photo: Civilbeard / CC0
Three renovated cottages on a historic 13-acre estate, about 40 minutes from Natural Bridge. Book direct, with no platform fees.
Photo of Natural Bridge: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0.
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