Cedar Creek Trail

UNDER 1 MILE

DIFFICULTY: EASY

DIFICULTY: MODERATE: 137 STEPS UP/DOWN TO CEDAR CREEK

DRIVE TIME: 2O MINS*

HIKE TIME: 1.5 HOURS

DISTANCE: .08 MILE OUT-AND-BACK

VIEWS: CEDAR CREEK, FOREST, WATERFALL

* from Lexington Visitor Center, 106 E. Washington St.

TRAILHEAD + PARKING

Park in the Natural Bridge State Park parking lot and enter the Visitor Center to purchase tickets. Restrooms, Gift Shop, and Concessions available. Admission is $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 3 to 12 years old. Go downstairs and the path to Cedar Creek begins outside of the building.

DESCRIPTION

This trail begins with steps and lots of them—a total of 137 steps descending from the rim of the Cedar Creek canyon down to the creek passing Eastern Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), some over 1,000 years old.

The path is paved, and the grade is easy. Cedar Creek passes beneath the massive arch of the Natural Bridge, 215 feet high and 90 feet wide. Benches line the path so there is plenty of seating to admire the view. Beyond the Bridge the path continues to follow Cedar Creek upstream.

After crossing the low water bridge, the path become firm crushed gravel dust with some muddy spots. Pass the Salt Peter Cave where nitrates were mined for munitions in the Civil War. The path continues past the Lost River, a large spring that flows out to the mountain on the right. The trail ends at the thirty-foot-high Lace Falls.

NATURAL BRIDGE STATE PARK ACTIVITIES

7 miles of trails

Children's Discovery Area

Kids in Park TRACK Trail: Skyline Trail

International Dark Sky Park

LOVEworks

ACCESSIBILITY

Trail Surfaces & Width

• Primary trail surfaces include sidewalks, concrete, and paved paths
• Secondary surfaces include loose or packed gravel and packed dirt. Surface types may vary depending on your location within the park.
• Trail width generally ranges from 8 to 12 feet, providing ample space for most mobility devices.

Amenities & Facilities

Restrooms

• The main level of the Visitor Center, including its restrooms, is wheelchair accessible.
• Additional accessible restrooms are available at the Cedar Creek Pavilion, as confirmed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Access to Natural Bridge

• Accessible parking is available in the Natural Bridge State Park Parking lot
• Reaching the Natural Bridge typically requires descending a stairway of 137 steps.
• However, accessibility accommodations are available upon request. Visitors may contact park rangers at the Visitor Center or call (540) 291-1326 to request use of the service road, which provides an alternative to the staircase

DETAILS: Click Website Link below for trail details, photos, and maps.