Blue Ridge Trail

The Blue Ridge Tail at Natural Bridge State Park is a 4-mile hike through open fields, streams, and woodlands offering wildlife viewing and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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Description

The Blue Ridge Tail at Natural Bridge State Park is a 4-mile hike through open fields and woodlands, with a pond supporting many species.

Opportunities to view various wildlife such as waterfowl, deer, turkey, and other large and small wildlife.

A view of the Blue Ridge Mountains is possible from Red Knob Overlook. See if you can pick out Sharpe Top Mountain of the Peaks of Otter in Bedford County from the overlook.


Maps

Download Natural Bridge State Park Trail Guide and Avenza Map to explore the park's 7 miles of hiking trails!

Natural Bridge State Park Activities

Families will love the Children's Discovery Area and Skyline Trail—a Kids in Park TRACK Trail.

Snap a selfie with the Virginia is for Lovers LOVEworks.

Did you know the park is an official International Dark Sky Park? Visitors may stargaze on Skyline Trail with a self-guided experience on Tuesday nights April–October. Special dark sky events lead by rangers or knowledgeable volunteers run March–December.

Interested in stargazing and learning about the night sky? Plan a visit during one of Natural Bridge State Park Dark Sky Night Programs.

Driving Directions

From the Lexington Visitor Center, drive east on Washington Street to a left at the stoplight onto East Nelson Street (US-60). Continue .2 mile to a right onto Lee Highway (US-11 S Bypass). Drive .9 mile to a left at the stoplight, continuing south on Lee Highway/US-11 for 11 miles. Once you pass Natural Bridge Zoo and Dino Kingdom II you will see the park's gateway sign.

Approximately ½ mile past the sign is the Blue Ridge Trail head parking area on the right. There is a large, level, gravel parking area with a portable toilet. Numerous picnic tables and a grill are perfect for relaxing with family and friends.

Visitors may use the self-service Pay Box in the parking area to pay the $5 Parking Fee.

Tips

  • If you plan to hike the entire 4 mile loop, allow a couple of hours. The park recommends hiking it a clockwise direction. The beginning of the hike will be in open fields in case the sun and temperatures are up, you will have the hottest part of the hike behind you.
  • If you hike the trail counter clockwise, you will reach the view at Red Knob Overlook in the shortest amount of time. An out-and-back hike from the parking lot to Red Knob would be about 1 hour and 1.5 miles.
  • There are bears in the park, so keep your pets on a leash and follow the protocols shown at the trail head.

Insider's Tips

  • At the park's Visitor Center is the Outpost Café, open seasonal weekends and holidays from April to October, and 7 days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
  • There are two breweries nearby—Great Valley Farm Brewery & Winery and Chaos Mountain Brewery—both hosting a food truck. Halcyon Days Cider Co. and their apple orchard labyrinth feature over 2,000 trees of 50 varieties, perfect for a stroll and sip of crips craft cider.


  • Pink Cadillac Diner on Route 11 serves up burgers and shakes in a nostalgic 50s style atmosphere, while Natty B's General Store offers sandwiches and made from scratch desserts, just minutes from the park on Route 130 as you head to Glasgow.