An Intro for those Jeopardy! Players
Natural Bridge in Virginia is a geological marvel, standing at 215 feet high and 90 feet wide, carved by Cedar Creek. This natural limestone arch was considered sacred by the Monacan Indian Nation. George Washington surveyed the bridge for Lord Fairfax in 1750. Legend has it that Washington carved his initials into the rock, which visitors can still see today. Oh George, defacing our natural resources? 🤦‍♂️ Maybe the story about him chopping down his father’s Cherry Tree wasn’t a myth? In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased the bridge and 157 surrounding acres for 20 shillings, about ÂŁ1 or $4.44 or roughly $7,200 today with inflation. Quite a steal for the bridge! The site also boasts rich biodiversity, with rare plants and wildlife. Natural Bridge became a National Historic Landmark in 1998, reflecting its historical and cultural significance.
Camping Adventures
The night before my park visit, I stumbled upon Thunder BRidge Campground, a gem I found on HipCamp. This 100-acre site has quite a history—originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the ’30s, then a boys’ juvenile detention center and a Big Brothers/Big Sisters camp until 2009. Thunder Bridge offers private tent sites, cozy cabins in the woods, and spacious RV spots on a well-kept green space. The host, Adam, was uber friendly, super chill and helpful.
I met Adam at the entrance and arranged to buy some firewood from him. Note: Always buy local firewood to avoid spreading invasive species—many parks ban non-local wood. Adam drove me to my cabin, Woodpecker 1, and dropped off the wood. I chose a cabin because it wasn’t much more expensive, and I didn’t want to hassle with setting up a tent for just one night. The cabin was spacious, had all I needed, and the bathhouse wasn’t far away, complete with a communal room to charge my phone and laptop.
Pictures: Woodpecker #1
Hungry upon arrival, I used some farm-fresh eggs from my previous Airbnb host to make a delicious egg sandwich. Later, I steamed tamales I’d picked up during my travels. Who says you can’t eat well while camping? It was a chilly night in early October, but I survived and enjoyed the adventure!
Pictures: My Egg Sandwich | Cooking Tamales over the Fire
Pictures: My campsite with the wood from Adam | I love making campfires!
Not All Natural Bridges Are Created Equal
A few months back, I had an amazing time at Kentucky’s Natural Bridge, so I was super pumped to check out Virginia’s version. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Sometimes, beautiful spots get too popular and end up feeling more like theme parks than natural wonders, and that was definitely the vibe here. Let’s just say, Virginia’s Natural Bridge won’t be making my list of favorite state parks.
Pictures: The Visitor Center | LOVE sculpture next to the Visitor Center
First off, the entrance fee. If you’ve read my other posts, you know how I feel about high entrance fees. Sure, parks need money for upkeep, but charging $9 per person (13 and over) can make it pretty pricey for families, especially those on a budget. It gave me flashbacks to the pricey Flume Gorge in New Hampshire.
At the Visitor Center, you’ll find the usual suspects: a gift shop, exhibits, and restrooms. From there, it’s a trek down 137 steps to the Cedar Creek Trail. There are a few other trails in the park, but Cedar Creek Trail is the main event. It’s a fairly easy 2.0-mile round trip with a 400-foot elevation change—most of which is tackled by those stairs down to the Trail Store, where you pay your $9 fee at a small window.
Pictures: The start of the walk down to the Trail Store
A short walk from the store brings you to the Natural Bridge. It’s a cool geological formation, carved over millennia, but it didn’t quite wow me like Kentucky’s. And here’s where things get a bit theme park-ish: rows of benches and spotlights facing the bridge. For almost a century, the bridge has been illuminated on the last Saturday night of every month from April to October. They recreate the first light show from 1927, with the 200-foot-tall arch lit from above and below while Cedar Creek murmurs below. Sounds kind of magical, right? But still, at $9 a pop, it feels a bit commercial.
Pictures: The Natural Bridge – complete with a spotlight in the foreground | Natural Bridge from the other side – notice all the benches at the end of the trail
A Journey Through Time
Walking along Cedar Creek Trail at Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia is like stepping back in time. The trail offers a glimpse into the rich history of the Monacan Indian Nation through its living history exhibit, although it was closed during my visit. This exhibit usually showcases the Monacan way of life, offering insights into their daily activities, traditions, and skills. But based on the pictures, needs a little work.
Pictures: The Monacan Indian Exhibit
Continuing along the trail, you’ll encounter the Saltpeter Cave, a significant historical site used during the War of 1812 for mining saltpeter, a key ingredient in gunpowder. Cool history, but not much to it. Next, you’ll reach Lace Falls, a 30-foot waterfall that provides a serene and picturesque stop. It was nice, but wouldn’t hit my top 100 waterfalls that I have seen.
Pictures: The Saltpeter Cave
Pictures: Views along Cedar Creek Trail
Pictures: Cool Rock on the Trail | Asters or Symphyotrichum
Lastly, the trail features the mysterious “Lost River,” which disappears underground, adding an element of natural wonder to your hike. Each of these sites along Cedar Creek Trail tells a unique story, weaving together the area’s cultural and natural heritage.
Pictures: The “Lost River”
I finished my visit back at the Visitor Center to buy some postcards and use the restroom. And since I was there, I decided head downstairs and check out the exhibits. The staff was super cool and showed me the star of the exhibits, a beautiful Eastern Indigo Snake, by the name of Margarita.
Bookend Adventures: The Acorn Inn
Outside of Margarita and yes, the actual Naturall bridge, the hightlights of this trip were camping the night before and then my stay afterwards. Venturing northeast along the Blueridge Parkway from Natural Bridge State Park, I landed in the quaint hills of Faber, Virginia, at the Acorn Inn Bed & Breakfast, about an hour and a half away.
Nestled amidst the charming hills, Martin and Kathy run this delightful retreat with warmth and flair. Surrounded by lush forests and vineyards, the inn offers a serene escape. Each morning, Kathy’s homemade breakfasts tantalized my taste buds, while Martin brewed some coffee and shared stories and local tips. Turns out, Kathy’s brother shared my college alma mater and major—a small world indeed!
Pictures: The Hallway – look at how wide the “stable” doors are! | Communal Men’s Bathroom
Pictures: Communal Living Room | Kitchen (FYI – not set up for cooking) | Banquet Room
Pictures: Outdoor Spaces
With the whole inn to myself for three nights, I soaked in the tranquility. My photos capture the cozy common areas and perfect porch relaxation spots, showing the charm and character oozing from every corner of the inn. How cool is it that the inn was once a stable, transformed by Martin himself? Martin’s craftsmanship is just the start—Kathy’s talent as an artist and photographer shines through the beautiful pieces adorning the walls. I wanted to buy so many of her art pieces! Before opening the Acorn Inn, they lived and worked in Mexico and South America, so the walls are also adorned with folk art, masks, and tapestries from their travels. It’s the perfect spot for remote work and nearby adventures, like exploring the charming town of Nellysford. I couldn’t resist grabbing wine and snacks from Basic Necessities. If you’re in the area, do yourself a favor and check out the Acorn Inn Bed & Breakfast! You won’t regret it.
Pictures: Some of Kathy’s Artwork
Pictures: Some of the Folkart from their Travels & Life in Mexico and South America
Wrapping Up the Adventure!
As we wrap up this adventure, let’s take a moment to reflect on the highs and lows, the triumphs and tribulations. While Natural Bridge State Park didn’t quite knock my socks off like we hoped (cue sad trombone), my journey wasn’t all doom and gloom. Oh no, my friends, Thunder BRidge Campground was an uber cool find and nestled in the hills of Faber, Virginia, lies a hidden gem—the Acorn Inn Bed & Breakfast, run by the dynamic duo, Martin and Kathy. After all, life’s too short for boring adventures! 🌟
Dates of Visit: 7-12 October 2023