Natural Bridge In Virginia May Be Considered The Eighth Wonder Of The World

Seeing the Seven Wonders of the World is an experience that belongs on many an adventurer’s bucket list. Yet there’s a rather underrated natural attraction right here in the U.S. that just might make the bill for the Eighth World Wonder. So if you’re looking for a jaw-dropping attraction that doesn’t involve an International flight, you’ll want to learn more about Virginia’s Natural Bridge.

Natural Bridge is a rather underrated geological attraction that can be found in the aptly-named Rockbridge County.

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Approaching the landmark, visitors will get a sense of just how massive and astounding this natural arch is. The bridge measures 215 feet in height and spans a distance of 90 feet.

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Naturalists believe the arch was formed some 500 million years ago. Evidence of this can be found from the limestone formed in the Ordovician Period.

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It’s less certain how the arch was formed, though. Most naturalists believe the bridge is all that remains of a near-collapsed cave which used to house an ancient river.

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Today, all that remains of this mysterious river is Cedar Creek, which is a tributary of the James River.

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Perhaps unsurprisingly, Natural Bridge has an extensive cultural history as well. It was once a sacred site of the Native American Monacan before the arrival of British Colonists.

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George Washington is also rumored to have surveyed the land in the 1750s. Look closely and you may be able to spot a “G.W.” carved into the bridge’s wall.

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In 2016, the area surrounding Natural Bridge became rebranded as a Virginia State Park. The property is managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, and admission tickets are considerably less expensive now.

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In addition to marveling at the bridge, visitors today can enjoy beautiful trails along the creek, waterfalls, and the Natural Bridge Caverns.

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Natural Bridge is located at 6477 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578. Have you visited this Eighth Wonder of the World before? We’d love to hear about your experience!