Is Natural Bridge a Wonder of the World? Exploring Virginia’s Natural Marvels
Forget searching the globe for the Seven Wonders of the World. Virginia offers its own incredible natural marvels right here in the U.S. We’ve got you covered with some of the most well-known and sought-after outdoor landmarks in the Commonwealth, a true world of wonder house on fire waiting to be explored. But a common question arises: Is Natural Bridge A Wonder Of The World? Pack up the car and discover some of Virginia’s stunning natural sites!
Luray Caverns – Luray
Looking for the ultimate underground experience? Known as “Geology’s Hall of Fame,” Luray Caverns is the largest and one of the most popular caverns in Eastern America. Founded in 1878, the Registered Natural Landmark reaches peaks up to 10 stories high.
View inside Luray Caverns showing large stalactites and stalagmites
It boasts impressive features like Giant’s Hall, filled with towering columns and crystal clear pools, and The Stalacpipe Organ, home to the world’s largest musical instrument. There’s always more to discover from the state’s eight caverns.
Natural Bridge – Natural Bridge
The Virginia Natural Bridge has been included in several “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” lists. Although mostly featured on lists from the 19th and early 20th centuries, its natural wonders still remain today. This iconic bridge was formed when a cavern collapsed. Legend holds that a young George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge site for Lord Fairfax, and landmarks including his carved initials remain on the bridge wall.
The Natural Bridge in Virginia formed by a collapsed cavern
Just before the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land, including the Natural Bridge, from King George, III of England for 20 shillings. Today it is privately owned. While it might not be on current global lists, its historical significance and geological formation make it a remarkable site, part of Virginia’s own world of wonder house on fire.
Natural Tunnel State Park – Duffield
Natural Tunnel was once famously described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years, reaching a length of more than 850 feet and a height of up to 10 stories.
Natural Tunnel State Park showing the large tunnel entrance through limestone
As one of Virginia’s state parks, Natural Tunnel offers unique activities including cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River, allowing visitors to experience this geological marvel up close.
Westmoreland State Park – Montross
Head to the northern neck along the Potomac River and you’ll find Westmoreland State Park. Visitors can take in breathtaking views atop Horse Head Cliffs or stroll along the river’s shore hunting for ancient shark teeth.
View of the Potomac River shoreline and cliffs at Westmoreland State Park
The park’s amenities offer something for everyone, from a large pool to boating and fishing. It’s also a prime location for bird watching, known for sightings of American bald eagles, kingfishers, great blue herons, ospreys, and more.
Burkes Garden – Tazewell
Burkes Garden holds the title of the Commonwealth’s highest valley and largest rural historic district. Often described as “God’s Thumbprint” due to its unique bowl shape, this valley offers a glimpse back to a simpler time centered around agriculture, religion, and education.
Panoramic view of the bowl-shaped valley of Burkes Garden in Virginia
Today, it provides breathtaking scenery, peaceful hiking and biking trails, and opportunities for bird watching. Historical markers and gravestones dating back to the 1700s can be found at the Central Lutheran Church cemetery, and the Appalachian Trail offers scenic overlooks into the valley.
The New River – Southwest Virginia
Flowing through 320 miles across North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, The New River is recognized as one of the five oldest rivers in the world, with its current course dating back approximately 65 million years. It is also one of the rare rivers globally that flows from South to North.
Kayakers paddling on the New River in Southwest Virginia
Beyond its scenic views along the Southwest Virginia portion, the river is a hub for outdoor recreation, including thrilling whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.
Breaks Interstate Park – Breaks
Journey west to the state border and discover the “Grand Canyon of the South.” Historic Breaks Interstate Park, first documented by Daniel Boone in 1767, offers the dramatic beauty expected from mountainous terrain.
Overlook view of the Breaks Interstate Park gorge, known as the Grand Canyon of the South
Visitors can enjoy tranquil hikes or bike rides, take a canoe ride on Laurel Lake, or spend a day geocaching with the family. Explore the “Grand Canyon of the South” and step into this mountainous world of wonder house on fire discovered by Daniel Boone. The park is open year-round and provides various accommodation options.
Great Dismal Swamp – Chesapeake & Suffolk
This National Wildlife Refuge is the largest remaining part of a vast habitat that once covered over one million acres across southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. In 1973, the Great Dismal Swamp was donated to The Nature Conservancy, leading to its designation as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974.
Still water reflecting trees in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Whether you’re interested in hunting, fishing, photography, or environmental education, the Great Dismal Swamp offers diverse activities to appreciate the beauty and unique ecosystem of this significant habitat.
Sand Cave – Ewing
Located within Cumberland Gap National Park, Virginia’s Sand Cave is a marvelous natural wonder. It features a spectacularly colorful ceiling displaying golds, reds, and greens, arching over the massive open cavern’s sandy floor.
Large open Sand Cave in Cumberland Gap National Historic Park with colorful rock formations on the ceiling
The cave is accessible via a scenic 3.9-mile trail through the park, which highlights the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia, culminating in this incredible payoff for an awe-inspiring photo opportunity.
Great Falls Park – McLean
Just 15 miles from Washington D.C. lies one of the most historic natural wonders in the U.S.: Great Falls Park, situated on the Potomac River. As a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the park’s geological origins date back remarkably to 10,500 BC.
Waterfall and rocky gorge at Great Falls Park on the Potomac River
Visitors can stroll along the riverfront trails, take in the dramatic sights of the falls, and observe abundant wildlife in a setting rich with natural history.
While the question Is Natural Bridge A Wonder Of The World is often debated based on historical versus modern lists, there’s no question that Virginia is home to an incredible array of natural marvels. From underground caverns and ancient rivers to stunning rock formations and vast swamps, the Commonwealth offers a diverse and awe-inspiring natural landscape. So, next time you’re looking for a sense of wonder, remember that Virginia’s natural treasures are waiting to be discovered.