Blue Ridge Mountains, National Parks, Natural Bridge State Park - NPS Affiliate, Virginia

Hiking Natural Bridge State Park: Pet-Friendly Adventures in The Virginia Blue Ridge Mountains

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📍Natural Bridge State Park – 6477 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578

Located in the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Natural Bridge is a 215-foot tall limestone arch carved by time & an iconic part of both Virginia and American history. It is both family-friendly and pet-friendly, and it has been on our bucket list for years! We’re so excited to have finally seen the spectacular geological formation in-person with our pup, you absolutely must see this spot for yourself.

Close-up view of the words 'Natural Bridge State Park' in black lettering on a speckled floor.


During our visit over Memorial Day Weekend in May, the rain was on and off which kept many visitors away. However, the rain didn’t stop us & we found ourselves very lucky to have this iconic landmark & hiking trail almost entirely to ourselves!

A few highlights from our visit to Natural Bridge State Park:

A national historic landmark & Virginia State Park that is pet-friendly, Natural Bridge gorge was carved naturally over centuries out of ancient limestone rock by the flowing waters of Cedar Creek and is now The Largest Limestone Arch in North America. In 2016, Natural Bridge State Park received a “National Park Service (NPS) Affiliated Area” designation, making it recognized as an official part of the US National Park System.

Exterior view of the Natural Bridge State Park visitor center, featuring classical architecture with white pillars and a brick facade.

After parking our car in the on-site complimentary parking lot, we purchased our tickets inside the pet-friendly Visitor’s Center (yes, dogs are allowed inside) and ascended the lushly landscaped 137-step concrete walkway from the Visitor’s Center to Cedar Creek with our pup Gucci, where we meandered the wide and accessible pathway (a mix of concrete paved & loose gravel surfaces) towards Lace Falls.

A person walking up wooden steps surrounded by lush green trees and vegetation on a hiking trail.

Along the way, we traveled under the magnificent limestone arch, marveling at its jaw-dropping size & spectacular beauty, all crafted slowly over time by mother nature. As we followed the pathway, we found a Hidden Saltpeter Cave & a Lost River!

A smiling woman in a blue jacket holds a brown dog as she poses for a selfie with a man in a black jacket, with a natural stone arch and lush green trees in the background.
A serene view of a winding creek surrounded by lush green foliage and rocky cliffs under a bright sky.
A person squatting next to a brown dog on a scenic path, with a large stone archway and lush green foliage in the background.

We walked through lush greenery & over concrete and loose gravel surfaces all along the beautiful Cedar Creek. We took a moment to search for George Washington’s initials (we won’t spoil it for you, but they are there). At the end of the peaceful and scenic trail, we were met with a dreamy 50-foot cascading waterfall.

A person standing on a rocky riverbank in a lush green forest, holding a dog on a leash.
Close-up of a rocky surface featuring carved inscriptions and markings, including the name 'C.M.C.' and various other etched texts.
Close-up of vibrant green leaves on a tree branch, with a blurred forest background.
A person standing on a wooden bridge in a lush green forest, accompanied by a dog.
A view of a cave entrance beneath a large rock overhang, with sandy ground and scattered stones.
A person walking a dog on a wooden bridge surrounded by lush green trees in a forest.
A smiling couple taking a selfie with a brown dog in a lush, green forest near a small waterfall.

For us, this was an easy 2-mile out & back hike. This hike is great for the entire family, allowing everyone a chance to fully immerse themselves in the Virginia landscape!

Natural Bridge Fun Facts:

  • 500,000+ years old
  • 215+ feet high
  • 90 feet across
  • Originally purchased from King George III of England by Thomas Jefferson in 1774
  • George Washington carved his initials into the rocks
  • 137 steps from the Visitor’s Center to the trailhead
A person walking a dog along a scenic, narrow path by a stream, surrounded by lush green trees and foliage.

TRAVEL TIP 👉 Don’t let the 137-steps be a barrier. Ask Park Rangers at the Visitors Center (before the steps) for accommodations

Must-Know:

Natural Bridge State Park is so much more than a limestone arch! There is so much to see and do during your visit.

  • Free parking
  • Dog-friendly
  • Visitor’s Center
  • Gift Shop
  • Artisan Center
  • Outpost Café
  • Restrooms
  • Picnic area
  • Cedar Creek Hiking Trail to a Saltpeter Cave, The Lost River & Cedar Falls

Admission:

  • $6.00/USD per person ages 3-12
  • $9.00/USD per person ages 13+

Hours:

  • 8:00am to 30-mins before dusk daily

Conveniently located off I-81, along Route-11 South “Lee Highway” in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Natural Bridge is the perfect spot to stop, stretch your legs & get outdoors on your next road trip or weekend adventure! The Park is a 30-minute drive from Roanoke, Virginia, 2-hours from Richmond, Virginia, 4-hours from Baltimore, Maryland, 3-hours from Washington, DC, and just under 6-hours from our home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We visited Natural Bridge as a pitstop on our drive to Asheville, North Carolina, and it was the perfect pit stop.

A rocky cave entrance with a large overhanging boulder, surrounded by scattered stones and sandy ground.

To say Natural Bridge is dog-friendly would be an understatement. Every single staff member & volunteer we encountered was incredibly welcoming to us and our pup. The Rangers invited us inside the Visitor’s Center with our dog, and they let us walk around the gift shop with her which was a nice break from the heat & rain. In addition, there were complimentary doggy water bowls throughout the main entrances with fresh water for Gucci to rehydrate. This was a really nice touch!

A brown dog with a teal harness is drinking from a metal water bowl, positioned near a stone wall with a faucet.

Easily one of the most captivating park’s we’ve visited, Natural Bridge State Park is definitely worth a stop on your next road trip! Is a visit to Natural Bridge State Park on your list? Let us know in the comments below & let’s go have some fun! safe travels ♡

A person walking with a dog in a scenic canyon with tall rock formations and benches along the path.

The comments, opinions, and views set forth on this site are the reflected personal positions of the site’s creators.  This site is not an affiliate of Virginia State Parks and all opinions are our own.  The comments, opinions, and views set forth within this site are not the official positions of Virginia State Parks, and they do not reflect the Department’s position.

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