The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Rockbridge County

The Visitor Center and Bridge Entrance at Natural Bridge State Park serve as the starting point for exploring the park's main attractions, including the Natural Bridge along the Cedar Creek Trail. The Visitor Center offers amenities such as restrooms, a gift shop, and informative displays about the park's geology, history, and natural features. It's also where visitors can purchase admissions tickets and receive maps and guides for their visit. It is open from 10 am – 6 pm and the fee is $9 per persons 13 years and older, and $6 per person ages 6-12. Children younger than six are free.

Lace Falls is a picturesque waterfall located at the end of the Cedar Creek Trail in Natural Bridge State Park. This 30-foot cascade marks the trail's end, where Cedar Creek tumbles over a series of rocky ledges, creating a lace-like pattern in the water. The falls are set in a peaceful wooded area, providing a nice spot for visitors to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Lace Falls is the perfect end for those who explore the length of the trail; they are a beautiful and quiet turn-around point after exploring the trail's many geological and historical landmarks.

Saltpeter Cave, located along the Cedar Creek Trail in Virginia's Natural Bridge State Park, is a small but historically significant cave. It was mined for saltpeter, a key component of gunpowder, during the early 19th century, particularly during the War of 1812. The cave's interior is relatively shallow — and you can actually go inside of it — but its historical importance adds interest to the trail.

The Natural Bridge in Virginia's Natural Bridge State Park is a stunning geological formation located along the Cedar Creek Trail. Standing 215 feet high and 90 feet wide, this natural limestone arch was carved by Cedar Creek over millions of years. The bridge has a rich history; once considered sacred by the Monacan people and later surveyed by a young George Washington, it is a National Historic Landmark, drawing visitors to marvel at it and explore the surrounding trails. The Cedar Creek Trail beneath the bridge offers a scenic 1.6-mile walk, passing by the bridge, a waterfall, and the Monacan Indian Living History Exhibit, making it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

The Red Knob Overlook is a lovely spot along the Blue Ridge Trail loop. From here, you get great views over the Blue Ridge Mountains, making it a nice place to stop and eat a snack, snap some photos, and sip some water, before continuing on your hike.

The Blue Ridge Trail is a great hiking loop with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. From the trailhead, which is just north of the Natural Bridge State Park Caverns and across the road, you will follow blue blazes weaving in and out of the woods through open meadows. Just a bit over (or under, depending on which way you hiked the loop) halfway, you will reach the Red Knob Overlook, which is a great place to stop and admire the views of the mountains before heading back downhill to complete the loop back at the trailhead.

At this spot where the Blue Ridge Trail and the Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Course Trail meet is a rather curious sight: a scale mode of the famous Stonehenge! This model is made out of foam, so it is best not to touch or climb on it, but feel free to take photos and explore this quirky spot.

Unfortunately, this exhibit has been taken down