Didn’t sleep much last night between the thunderstorms and late arrival to camp. Tried a couple public/stealth spots, no good; tried a truck stop or two, also no good. Secured a last-minute RV park spot way over in Muscle Shoals which was good but a long drive. Took my sweet time this morning and just cruised the hills watching fall foliage (which by the way is amazing here now, so vivid!). After some map scanning I decided to try my luck at Natural Bridge Park in the town of Natural Bridge (unsurprisingly named after the Natural Bridge feature). After all the signs along the route say “Open All Year” so they must be open, and it’s a park, right??
Wrong. Apparently Thanksgiving is one of those days that isn’t part of “the year” or something. Well, I’m already here, and nobody else is…don’t suppose I will be disturbing anyone? (Note to everyone reading this: DO NOT do what I did, I forbid you, I know my path is already paved on the route to Hell don’t follow me! Bless up or whatever southern people say.) Shhh……
Anyways…once inside you can see there is a toll booth which is a bit dilapidated but probably helps with the congestion of visiting cars in summer months. Thanks to the kind folks that run this place, please don’t have me arrested I really enjoy your natural features, I came in peace and Left No Trace!
A sign in the main parking area gives a brief summary of what makes Natural Bridge special:
“Natural Bridge is the longest rock arch east of the Rockies. It was formed 200 million years ago when the sea washed the sandstone away leaving iron ore veins holding the bridge. In this area thrive 27 varieties of Ferns and a number of Canadian Hemlocks traced to the Ice Age. Park opened in 1954.”
Main parking area and what looks like either private houses or maintenance buildings or something. I didn’t go into that area, no reason, mind the signs.
Here’s the main visitor center which is already decorated in Christmas things. On Thanksgiving Day. I’m sad.
At the back there’s a small patio with seating and a fountain, and some picnic tables surround the area. Probably a very nice cool spot in warmer months.
What I assumed is a small creek is (according to the maps I’m reading) called the New River. Flow is quite low today even after the rain, probably due to the late season.
Access to the arch is quite easy via a short trail that starts across a bridge then onto a crushed rock path.
Follow the signs that say “To Bridge” or just look for the giant rock arch in the near distance. If you can’t find it, you are probably beyond help.
Standing 60 feet high and 148 feet wide, the Natural Arch is indeed quite large. With the shadows of the midday sun it almost looks like a big cave (which in a way, it is).
Another view of the arch while standing closer but not yet inside. 60 feet is over ten times my height, doesn’t sound like much but it’s tall!
The path turns into some stone steps as it leads into the cave. Everything is wet and slick today so that hand rail is greatly appreciated.
A view from inside standing directly under the main part of the arch. Photographs in this area are difficult because even with the widest camera phone option you can’t get it all within the frame.
The interior path continues up and around some rather large stones that appear to have fallen from the arch above at some point. Crossing fingers not today.
My favorite angle of the arch is from this farthest/deepest point looking outwards to the forest, I think it gives the best view and scale. Absolutely massive and there is a second small arch/bridge above connecting across to the main branch.
The exit route is a bit more tricky today from the rain as there is a slight incline on flat rock. Again, that hand rail coming in clutch to keep me off my rear end.
I followed the trail for a short distance because there was no other exit route though I do believe this loops back around at some point.
Along the way there are some rather incredibly large rock formations. This area does remind me a bit of Wisconsin and it probably has to do with the ancient glacial activity that shares some features with locations like mine thousands of miles away. Nature certainly has some crazy power.
One final parting image of an interesting rock texture. For all the nonbelievers in evolution or flat earths or any of that other nonsense, behold this rock that looks like a coral reef because it probably was millions of years ago while underneath a prehistoric ocean. Amazing!
Shortly after this I did find where the loop trail heads back to the start and out. I’m aware there is more trail but decided not to push my luck and slipped out like a ghost that I am to vanish into the ether. Later on I would find out there is supposed to be a waterfall somewhere farther down the trail but alas that will have to wait for another time. Anyone reading this post absolutely 100% do NOT do what I did, I do not encourage my own foolish behavior nor do I want you to copy me, don’t do it! But do visit one of the other 363 days that they are probably open which is impossible to say when because it says look at Google hours and this day was supposed to be open so there’s that.
Hiking Data
Here’s what my walking/hiking path looked like today, just in case I need to further incriminate myself. It’s fairly short walk if you park in the main parking lot.
My in & out was closer to a mile round trip which isn’t far considering most of my trip was on pavement. Which you shouldn’t do.
