Natural Bridge of Virginia the ‘most sublime of nature’s works’
Updated: Aug 21
Owned by Thomas Jefferson at one time, this natural arch is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.
There are natural bridges throughout the South, arches carved from the forces of water and other elements. But none as famous as the Natural Bridge of Rockbridge County, Virginia, located just outside the American Revolution-era town of Lexington.
The Monacan tribe considered the bridge a sacred place. George Washington is believed to have visited the site in 1750 when he was a young surveyor, carving “G.W.” on a surveyor’s cross on a rock that he threw over the bridge. “When this story (of Washington and the rock) was told to the late President Cleveland, he replied, ‘I do not know about that, but I am well assured he threw a sovereign across the Atlantic,’” according to “Legends of the Skyline Drive and the Great Valley of Virginia,” by Carrie Hunter Willis and Etta Belle Walker.
In 1774, Thomas Jefferson purchased the 157 acres of the bridge and surrounding countryside for 20 shillings, naming the site “the most Sublime of nature’s works.” He built a small cabin and invited guests to visit. They included James Monroe, Sam Houston and Martin Van Buren, among others.
Jefferson hired Patrick Henry as caretaker, a formerly enslaved man who purchased his freedom. Henry would protect the property, pay its taxes and host guests in exchange for living at the site.
“He (Henry) eventually became the first park ranger here,” explained Virginia State Park Ranger Isaac Fairchilds, who led us on a tour of Natural Bridge.
In “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville wrote, “But soon the fore part of him slowly rose from the water; for an instant his whole marbleized body formed a high arch, like Virginia's Natural Bridge....” American writer William Cullen Bryant said that Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls were the two most remarkable features of North America.
Natural Bridge State Park was formed from Jefferson's estate in 2016, becoming a Virginia state park in 2023. There are miles of hiking trails, a Dark Skies section and Lace Falls. Most visitors start at the Visitor’s Center and follow the Cedar Creek Trail to the bridge and a shelter cave a short walk down the path.
“It’s always 10 degrees cooler in the Gorge,” Fairchilds explained.
Along the way, we witnessed vireos, cardinals, bats, gnatcatchers and hawks and spotted rare North white cedars that date to the last ice age, Fairchilds said.
Illumination of the Bridge
Natural Bridge becomes bathed in light the last Saturday night of every month, April through October., in a nearly century-long tradition known as Illumination of the Bridge. Visitors will watch as the massive arch is lit from above and below by dozens of lights, an experience that dates to 1927. The next illuminantion will be from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Aug. 28, 2026. Other dates this year are Sept. 5 and 26 and Oct. 10 and 31.
On the night of the illumination, the visitor center will be open until 9 p.m. and the trail until 10 p.m., with light snacks for sale. Ticket sales will end at 9:40 p.m. The trail beyond the Natural Bridge will be closed. For questions, call the Visitor Center at (540) 291-1326.
Where to Stay
Anne Herring loves cows. If you stay at her historic Herring House Bed and Breakfast outside of Lexington, you’ll witness just how much. There are cow statues inside and out, cows in paintings, cows on objects d’art and stuffed bovines as toys. It all began when she spotted a cute little stuffed cow in a shop and brought it home. Friends started buying her cows to add to the collection and it snowballed from there.
Anne doesn’t mind. The cows add to her joy of collecting, which includes histories of her family home (she’s third generation), her father’s time at the nearby Virginia Military Institute, the oldest state-run military college in the nation, and postcards from when her great aunts ran the property as an inn and restaurant from 1926 to 1970 and received awards and accolades from Duncan Hines and AAA.
Herring Hall owns regional history as well. The Georgian style brick house surrounded by lovely gardens was one of the “Seven Hills of Rockbridge County,” historically significant mansions built by the Grigsby Family. Herring Hall dates to around 1812 when it was occupied by David Greenlee and his wife Hannah Grigsby, who called it Clover Hill.
It’s a lovely stay and close to both Lexington and Natural Bridge. Tell Anne we sent you.
Weird, Wacky & Wild South is written by travel writer Cheré Coen, who loves the outdoors and all that nature provides. Her trip to Natural Bridge State Park of Virginia was a treat she won't forget.
What a fascinating look at one of Virginia’s most remarkable natural landmarks. Natural Bridge truly feels like a masterpiece created by time, blending incredible halloween mistress of evil varsity jacket geology, history, and the beauty of the surrounding landscape. Articles like this help readers appreciate not just the destination itself but also the stories and heritage connected to these places. A wonderful read for nature and history lovers!