Natural Bridge State Resort Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Natural Bridge State Resort Park |
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Natural Bridge as viewed from Lookout Point
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| Location | Powell County & Wolfe County, Kentucky, United States |
| Nearest city | Stanton, Kentucky |
| Area | 2,250 acres (910 ha) |
| Established | 1926 |
| Governing body | Kentucky Department of Parks |
Natural Bridge State Resort Park is a super cool park in Kentucky! It's located in Powell and Wolfe Counties, right next to the amazing Red River Gorge and surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. The most special part of the park is its giant natural bridge. This amazing arch is made of sandstone and stretches 78 ft (24 m) across and stands 65 ft (20 m) tall! It took millions of years for nature, like wind and water, to slowly carve out this incredible arch.
The park covers about 2,300 acres (9 km2). A big part of it, about 1,200 acres (5 km2), is a special nature preserve. This area was set aside in 1981 to protect important plants, animals, and their homes. For example, the first Virginia big-eared bats, which are an endangered species, were found here in the 1950s!
Contents
Exploring the Park: History and Trails
How the Park Started
Natural Bridge State Resort Park began as a private place for tourists in 1895. A railroad company owned it back then. Later, in 1926, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad gave about 137 acres of land to the Kentucky State Park Commission. This made Natural Bridge one of Kentucky's very first state parks!
Awesome Hiking Trails
The park has over 20 miles (32 km) of hiking trails. Some trails are easy, but many are a bit tough with uneven ground. You can hike to cool spots like White's Branch Arch and Henson's Cave Arch.
Some of the most famous spots in the park are the natural arch itself, "Lover's Leap," and "Fat Man's Squeeze." The "Original Trail" to the natural bridge is about 0.5-mile (0.8 km) long and has been around since the 1890s! Other trails include the 7.5-mile (12.1 km) Sand Gap Trail and the 0.75-mile (1.21 km) Balanced Rock Trail.
Part of the 307-mile (494 km) Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail also runs through the park. This trail connects the park to the Red River Gorge. If you don't want to hike all the way up, there's even a ski lift that can take you to the top of the Natural Bridge!
The Balanced Rock
Natural Bridge has many unique sandstone rock formations. One of the coolest is the Balanced Rock. This is a huge block of sandstone that looks like it's perfectly balanced on the edge of a cliff!
You can find the Balanced Rock on Trail #2, not far from Hemlock Lodge. Long ago, people called it the Sphinx because it looked a bit like the famous Sphinx in Egypt. Even though it's called "Balanced Rock," it's actually a "pedestal rock." This means it's one piece of stone that has weathered over time, making its middle part narrower than its top or bottom. It's one of the biggest and best examples of a pedestal rock east of the Rocky Mountains!
Park Rules for Safety
To keep the park beautiful and safe for everyone, there are some rules. Please don't hike off the marked trails. Also, it's important not to bother the wildlife or collect any plants. Pets are not allowed on most trails at Natural Bridge State Park.
Fun Events and Activities
Natural Bridge State Park is part of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. This means they teach people how to enjoy nature without harming it. The park offers guided backpacking trips and educational programs about nature.
Yearly Celebrations
The park hosts several fun events each year that you can join:
- Herpetology Weekend: Happens every May and is all about reptiles and amphibians, like snakes and frogs!
- Natural Arches Weekend: Takes place every February and celebrates the amazing rock arches in the area.
- Wildflower Weekend: Held every April, this event focuses on Kentucky's native plants. You can learn how these plants are super important for our natural world. The Kentucky Native Plant Society helps identify and protect rare plants.
Appalachian Square Dances
The park is also famous for its traditional Appalachian square dances! These lively dances happen on Friday and Saturday evenings during the warm summer months. They take place on an open-air dance floor under the stars. Hundreds of people come to dance or just watch, enjoying the music and talented performers.
Gallery
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The natural arch of the bridge as seen from below.
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The bridge as seen at ground level.
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Balanced Rock on Trail #2.
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Sky Lift to the natural bridge area.
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Rock cliff within the park.
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Natural Bridge in Autumn.
