Last Updated on 28 March, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Hiking is always better when there’s a view, and Natural Bridge State Park in the James River Valley of Virginia does not disappoint! If you’re interested in seeing this massive natural bridge, you may be surprised to learn there are six other attractions in the park!

Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia has seven points of interest intertwined on ten miles of hiking trails throughout the park. Those attractions include:

1. Natural Bridge
2. Saltpeter Cave
3. Lost River
4. Lace Falls
5. The Caverns
6. Red Knob Overlook
7. Jefferson Point

This article will dive into the 7 wonders of Natural Bridge State Park, part of the Virginia State Parks system near the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I’ll discuss how to reach each point of interest and what to expect. Even if you only have an hour to visit this park, you’ll be amazed at what you can see!

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Cedar Creek Trail: Natural Bridge, Saltpeter Cave, Lost River, and Lace Falls

The Cedar Creek Trail is arguably the most popular at this recreation area. It features the towering natural bridge, a cave, a disappearing river, and the beautiful Lace Falls. Four attractions in one trail? Yes please!

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation tells us that the incredible bridge stands at 200 feet tall, making it the tallest limestone arch in North America. Compare that to the natural sandstone arch in Red River Gorge, Kentucky, which only stands at 65 feet!

In addition to the park’s main attraction, you’ll also hike along the meandering Cedar Creek, with beautiful views of Lace Falls at the turnaround point. 

Finding the Trailhead

Since Cedar Creek is one of the most popular trails, the trailhead is easy to find. You’ll want to park in the large parking lot near the Visitor Center (N37.6291, W79.5434).

From the parking lot:

• Head toward the left side of the visitor center (south).
• You’ll see a sign with various trails, including one that points south for the natural bridge.

• Follow the directions on the sign to a set of stairs and walk down them. You’ll see a post office on your right.
• Walk across the small parking lot until you see another set of stairs.

• Take the stairs down, passing beneath a stone-pillared gazebo.

• At the bottom of the stairs is a stone path. Follow the path to another pole with signs for Cedar Creek.

• The path will lead to a small stone building. This is the trail store, where you pay the entrance fee for the park and can obtain a park map. As of 2026, the entrance fee is $9.

• If facing the trail store, the Cedar Creek Trail will be to the right of the building (due west).

Before you head on this exciting hike, check out our day hiking gear list to ensure you have everything you need to conquer the trail! Now it’s time to see the magnificent Natural Bridge, a disappearing river, a cave, and Lace Falls. Let’s go!

1. Natural Bridge

The Cedar Creek Trail is a partially paved, partially gravel trail that is fairly simple to follow. It has plenty of attractions along the way, but the star of the show is the Natural Bridge.

From the trail store, you only have to walk 0.1 miles to lay eyes on the famous Natural Bridge. It was once owned by Thomas Jefferson, who purchased it in 1774 to preserve the structure. The trail traverses right underneath the bridge, offering awe-inspiring views of the rock structure soaring above.

So, how did the natural bridge form? 

The tiny Cedar Creek that meanders to the left side of the trail was once swallowed by a sinkhole, turning it into an underground river. Through a cave system, Cedar Creek eventually joined with the nearby James River. Over hundreds of thousands of years, this cave carved out the valley surrounding the trail. Later, as the cave collapsed, it left behind the natural bridge!

Once you’ve had your fill of the Natural Bridge, it’s time to keep hiking down the trail to the next attraction: Salt Peter Cave.

2. Salt Peter Cave

Around 0.4 miles after the Natural Bridge, you’ll arrive at Salt Peter Cave on the left side of the trail. You’ll have to cross a narrow wooden bridge across Cedar Creek to reach this interesting geologic formation.

This magnificent cave was carved out by thousands of years of stream erosion. However, this cave held a special ingredient that was used in the War of 1812 as well as the Civil War: Saltpeter.

Saltpeter is the main component in gunpowder, and there was plenty of it in this cave. Well, technically, there were nitrates in the cave, which were collected, boiled, and crystallized to form saltpeter.

Once you’ve enjoyed the views of the cave, head back across the bridge to continue our journey to the next destination: Lost River.

3. Lost River

As you continue on the trail, you’ll notice there are yellow blazes on the trees. These markers follow the Cedar Creek Trail and are a great way to make sure you’re on the right path.

Shortly after Saltpeter Cave, you’ll seebanother cavelike structure on the right side of the path. This is the Lost River, an intriguing place where a small stream entered a sinkhole about a mile upriver and disappeared into this narrow cave system.

As you peer inside, you can see and hear the mysterious underground stream. When you’re done marveling, continue on the trail to our final destination: Lace Falls

4. Lace Falls

Lace Falls marks the turnaround point of the Cedar Creek Trail. The path ends at a stone retaining wall, offering a nice place to sit and take a break before tackling the journey back.

This 50-foot waterfall marked the end of what was once Thomas Jefferson’s property. The water cascading gently down the rock face resembles lace, which is how this waterfall got its nickname, Lace Falls.

This is a great time to bust out some hiking snacks to fuel your return journey. We have a fantastic guide on the best hiking snacks that are packed with whole, natural ingredients to boost your energy with healthy fats, protein, and carbs instead of sugars.

When you finish drinking in the sight of the falls, head back the way you came to finish out the Cedar Creek Trail. There are more wonders to discover at Natural Bridge State Park!

5. Caverns At Natural Bridge State Park

In addition to the colossal Natural Bridge, some wonders reach deep underground at Natural Bridge State Park. The caverns plummet 347 feet underground, making them the deepest on the East Coast.

Guided tours are available at the park, but as of 2026, the caverns are shut down for renovations.

When tours are available, you’ll find the caverns at the same parking lot for the Buck Hill Trail (N37.6358, W79.5420). The building in the parking lot is where to sign up for tours.

Like many cavern systems, the Caverns at Natural Bridge State Park were created due to the slow erosion of water. As water works its way through the soil, it becomes slightly acidic. This acidic water erodes the calcium carbonate found in limestone, creating cavern systems.

6. Red Knob Overlook (Blue Ridge Trail)

The next marvel on our list is Red Knob Overlook, a beautiful overlook around the 2.3-mile mark on the Blue Ridge Trail. The overlook offers stunning views of the surrounding Short Hills Mountains.

To get to Red Knob Overlook, you’ll have to take the moderately challenging Blue Ridge Trail.

• Trailhead: N37.6415, W79.5403
• Length: 4.2 miles
• Trail Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

The Blue Ridge Trail is one of the most challenging trails at Natural Bridge State Park, but well worth it for the reward of mountain views and a walk through varied terrain.

Note that, during the rainy season, sections of the trail tend to get muddy, so it’s a good idea to wear waterproof boots. The trail can also get buggy in the spring and summer, so bring some good bug spray like Murphy’s Naturals Lemon Eucalyptus Oil Mosquito and Tick Repellent.

By the way, Natural Bridge State Park is dog-friendly! Feel free to bring your canine companion with you to explore these wonderful marvels. Our article on the 9 dog hiking gear essentials can help you prepare your pup for the adventure.

7. Jefferson Point (Skyline Trail)

Like Red Knob Overlook, you’ll have to do some hiking to get to Jefferson Point. Trust me, the views are worth it! The Skyline Trail is a spectacular hiking trail at Natural Bridge State Park, but be aware that it is not very shady, so you’ll want to bring a sun hat and sunscreen. We always recommend mineral sunscreen like Badger Daily SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen because it doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients.

Jefferson Point is near the halfway point along Skyline Trail and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape and mountain ranges. This trail has several vistas along the way, making the grassy path interesting from start to finish.

• Trailhead: N37.6222, W79.5533
• Length: 1.3 miles
• Trail Type: Loop
• Difficulty: Moderate

To get to Jefferson Point, you’ll turn off the trail around the 0.5-mile mark. A trail will lead off to your right (if doing the trail clockwise). Hike approximately 0.1 miles to the overlook and drink in the views!

The 7 Wonders of Natural Bridge State Park: Wrap-Up Session!

Natural Bridge State Park is home to seven wonderful points of interest spread throughout the park. Not to mention the interesting history behind the land owners! The towering 200-foot-tall natural bridge is certainly the star of the show, but there are many other intriguing and awe-inspiring sights to see in this Virginia State Park.

To recap, the 7 marvels of Natural Bridge State Park include:

1. Natural Bridge
2. Saltpeter Cave
3. Lost River
4. Lace Falls
5. The Caverns
6. Red Knob Overlook
7. Jefferson Point

Remember, Natural Bridge State Park is dog-friendly, too! Your pup is even welcome inside the visitor center. So, until next time, enjoy your next adventure and give your furbags an extra pet from us! For more hiking guides, check out the Dirtbags with Furbags blog.