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  • Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

    Top Spots in and near Natural Bridge Station

    • Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

      Hike Devil's Marbleyard

      5.0
      3.24 mi / 1421 ft gain
      Want to scale the side of a rock face? If you do, I highly suggest adding this adventure to your list. Hiking to the marbleyard and back to the parking lot will have you at a 3 mile journey. How many hours will it take to hike the trail and tackle Antietam Quartzite boulders larger than cars you ...
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    • Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

      Swim at Arnold Valley Pool

      4.6
      Arnold Valley Pool might be a couple hundred feet from the road but most people don’t even notice when they pass by. This swimming hole is located on the same road as Devil’s Marbleyard and is the perfect place to cool off after the intense hike at the Marbleyard or on any hot summer day. The swi...
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    • Big Island, Virginia

      Hike to Little and Big Rocky Row

      5.0
      10.8 mi / 2700 ft gain
      Starting at the James River Footbridge, which is the longest foot traffic only bridge on the entire Appalachian Trail. Head north on the Appalachian Trail.  You will quickly cross over Rt. 501. After a mile of hiking through the woods skirting the Rocky Row Run stream, you will cross over Forest ...
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    • Buchanan, Virginia

      Hike to Apple Orchard Falls

      4.0
      5.6 mi / 1000 ft gain
      There are a few different ways that you can do this hike. One way is to start at the North Creek campground (37.54244, -79.58531) and do a loop hike that's about 6 miles, which will take you to the falls up along a stream with some swimming holes and nice campsites. I did it the other way, which ...
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    • Buchanan, Virginia

      Hike Apple Orchard Mountain

      4.0
      4 mi / 400 ft gain
      The top of Apple Orchard Mountain is easily accessible via the Appalachian Trail. Access the trail at the Sunset Field Overlook at MP 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The concrete path will end shortly and turn into a blue blazed trail. Follow this for 0.25 miles until it intersects the Appalachia...
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    • Buchanan, Virginia

      Hike to Fallingwater Cascades

      4.5
      The trailhead for this hike is at the same parking area for the Flat Top Trail. From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, travel north up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 miles, where you will come to small parking area. It is quite tiny, and probably holds around 10 vehicles, but there was only ...
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    • Buchanan, Virginia

      Hike Flat Top Mountain

      4.5
      From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, travel north up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 miles, where you will come to small parking area for the Flat Top Trailhead. The parking area is quite tiny, and probably holds around 10 vehicles, but there was only one other car there when I went. It's p...
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    • Amherst, Virginia

      Swim at Panther Falls

      5.0
      0.7 mi / -100 ft gain
      From Lexington or Buena Vista, Virginia, take Rt. 60 east for several miles. As soon as you pass under the Blue Ridge Parkway, look for a gravel road on your right marked Panther Falls Road. This is a fairly bumpy gravel road, so take it easy. Follow Panther Falls Road down the mountain for just ...
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    • Lexington, Virginia

      House Mountain Trail

      4.0
      8.93 mi / 2733 ft gain
      House Mountain provides two amazing views via two out-and-back hikes, for a combined hike of 8.75 miles. If you’re short on energy and/or time, the 6 miles round trip to Big House Mountain is (in my opinion) the better of the two overlooks. Either way, keep in mind that this hike covers a great...
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    • Eagle Rock, Virginia

      Canoe or Kayak the Upper James River

      4.3
      Put in at the Horseshoe Bend Boat Ramp near Buchanan, VA. The pin on the map will take you right there. Takeout will be at the boat ramp in downtown Buchanan, approximately 9 miles down river. This ramp is located just above the Rt. 11 bridge.Twin River Outfitters uses this ramp also, so there's ...
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    • Bedford, Virginia

      Hike the Harkening Hill Loop

      3.3
      3.3 mi / 850 ft gain
      To get to the trailhead, pull into the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and park there. Proceed to the outdoor amphitheater behind the center. At the rear of the amphitheater there is a large sign showing Harkening Hill and other nearby trails, here the trail begins. Th...
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    • Bedford, Virginia

      Sharp Top Trail

      4.7
      2.91 mi / 1296 ft gain
      Once thought to be the highest peak in Virginia, this 2.5 hour hike is one that will leave you speechless at the top. Park at the Peaks of Otter Nature Center (which is now closed). The trailhead is located to the right of the building. You will cross over a paved bus road soon after beginning th...
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    • Vesuvius, Virginia

      Photograph Statons Creek Falls

      4.0
      To view this waterfall, hiking is not necessarily involved since the top of it is next to a small parking area along CR-633. If you feel like scrambling and bushwhacking, it’s possible to make your way down either side to small pools and cascades with a total drop of about 100 feet. The terrain i...
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    • Vesuvius, Virginia

      Cole Mountain Loop

      4.8
      5.89 mi / 1280 ft gain
      The large open meadow at the summit of Cole Mountain is a unique and breathtaking experience that is worth the 5.8 mile hike. Cole Mountain is frequently referred to as Cold Mountain, but the official name listed by the United States Geological Survey is the former. This hike is in the George W...
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    • Amherst, Virginia

      Mount Pleasant Loop

      4.6
      5.98 mi / 1427 ft gain
      From the Mount Pleasant Parking Area, take the blue blazed Pompey Mountain Trail that is just beyond the horse gate. As it's a loop, you can start at either entrance, but I prefer heading left to get the longer leg of the hike before the summit (always better to have an easy journey down in the a...
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    • Montebello, Virginia

      Hike to Wigwam Falls

      2.7
      The Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area is located at milepost 34.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. From the parking area, follow the rock steps to the railroad tracks and turn right. Follow the tracks the stream and turn left. Proceed on the path to the bridge in front of the 30 ft. waterfall.
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    Camping and Lodging in Natural Bridge Station

    Hopper Creek Group Camp
    Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

    Hopper Creek Group Camp

    Cave Mountain Lake Group Picnic Shelter
    Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

    Cave Mountain Lake Group Picnic Shelter

    Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp
    Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

    Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp

    Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp
    Natural Bridge Station, Virginia

    Cave Mountain Lake Family Camp

    Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA Holiday
    Natural Bridge, Virginia

    Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA Holiday

    Otter Creek Campground
    Monroe, Virginia

    Otter Creek Campground

    Guides, Insights and Stories from Natural Bridge Station

    Take this ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip

    Take this ultimate Blue Ridge Parkway road trip

    The Outbound Collective