The goal for day 12 was to make our way from Blacksburg to Charlottesville, VA. Though it’s only about a 2.5 hour drive, we would be taking our time and enjoying the journey.
With the Blue Ridge Mountains on one side of our route, and George Washington and Jefferson National Forest on the other, we knew that there would be plenty of opportunities to hike along the way!
Making a Plan
Before hitting the road and leaving the Blacksburg area, we wanted to check to see if Cascade Falls had reopened. You may remember from yesterday’s travel log that the park was closed due to flooding from all the recent heavy rain. Well, we were pretty bummed to find out that it was still closed, so that experience would have to wait for another visit.
Crabtree Falls
Next on our list was Crabtree Falls, which had been highly recommended by family who used to live in the Charlottesville area. I pulled it up on the map and it was conveniently on the way – Perfect!
But not so fast – Trying to avoid another Rickett’s Glen incident (where Harley was pushed too far), I wanted to research the trail itself before heading straight there. As it turns out, the main trail has an elevation change of roughly 1,200 ft. and includes lots of steep stairs. As beautiful as it appeared in the photos, we were going to have to pass!
With Cascade Falls and Crabtree Falls off the list, we decided to hit the road and figure out an alternate plan along the way!
Virginia’s Natural Bridge State Park
While driving down I-81, we began to see signs for Natural Bridge State Park and ran a quick Google search to see what it was all about.
Turns out that this property, once owned by Thomas Jefferson, is home to a 215 ft. high and 90 ft. long natural bridge which was carved out of the surrounding limestone by Cedar Creek. The pictures were impressive and I couldn’t believe that we had never heard of this place before!
Seeing that it was only minutes off our route with a lot of great hiking trails and dog friendly, we decided to stop and check it out. Check out the Natural Bridge State Park’s info and trail guide.
When we pulled into the parking lot we were immediately struck by the gorgeous Rockbridge Center. Inside you will find the visitors center, shopping and restaurants. This is also where you purchase tickets to the park (Pro tip: Dogs are not allowed inside the building!).
Head around the left side of the building to access the stairs leading to the Natural Bridge. After passing under the small archway designating the area a Virginia Historic Landmark you will begin the Cedar Creek Trail which is the trail we decided to walk.
The Cedar Creek Trail
The Cedar Creek Trail starts with a staircase that descends alongside a serene cascading waterfall. There are small landings along the way to stop and take in the peaceful surroundings.
At the bottom of the stairs, a park ranger collects tickets. We were thrilled to see that dogs were not only allowed but warmly welcomed by staff, with water bowls set out for them.
Just a short walk from the ticket checkpoint, the Natural Bridge came into view. It’s a truly breathtaking sight that has earned its place on many Wonders of the World lists. The scale is hard to capture in a photo—just note how tiny Charlie and Rachael look in the image at the top of this post!
The Monacan Indian Village
Beyond the Natural Bridge, the trail passes a replica of an 18th-century Monacan settlement. Dogs were welcome here too, allowing us to explore basket weaving, home construction, cooking demonstrations, and more.
Lace Falls
The Cedar Creek Trail continues another half-mile to Lace Falls, a beautiful 30-foot waterfall visible from an observation area.
The entire trail is about 2 miles round-trip, with a flat, well-maintained path that’s ideal for people and dogs of all abilities. It’s a quick, enjoyable hike perfect for a couple of hours.
Onward to Charlottesville
With clear skies, we opted for the scenic route to Charlottesville via the Blue Ridge Parkway. The breathtaking mountain views made for the perfect finale to our day.
The views were breathtaking and it seemed like we had picked a great location to be wrapping up our trip!
What we Learned on Day 12
- Homewood Suites – This was our first stay at a Homewood Suites and we were very impressed. Our room had a full kitchen, and was actually similarly priced to other standard hotels in the area. A full sink with utensils made preparing Oracle dog food a breeze, and we loved having a microwave and refrigerator for ourselves. This chain would be particularly great for an extended stay.
- Maharaja Fine Indian Cuisine: We picked up dinner from this nearby gem and were blown away. The Saag Paneer was incredible—the best Indian food we’ve ever had. Don’t miss it if you’re in the area!
Quick Stats
- Miles traveled: 146
- States passed through: VA
- Gas fill-ups: 1
What’s Next?
Tomorrow we search for a dog friendly hike around Charlottesville, VA!
You’re certainly getting practice using the best traveling skill–being flexible. The Natural Bridge looks beautiful! Sounds like you were lucky to land there.
Yes, this trip was all about flexibility! Just about every day had a change in plans but they always turned out great. I can’t believe that this park isn’t more well known – it really is incredible.
i love the bridge. the water looks a little rough for the boys to go swimming though.
What an amazing place to visit, wish I was there enjoying the scenery as well.
This is great! We are visiting this weekend!
Let us know how you like it!
Great information so for Natural Bridge you have to pay for use cedar creek trail?