Alabama’s Natural Bridge Park reopens; plan a visit to this unique hidden gem

Did you know that the longest natural bridge east of the Rocky Mountains is just an hour’s drive from downtown Birmingham? Located in Winston County, Natural Bridge Park is a privately-owned attraction home to a jaw-dropping 60-foot-high, 148-feet-long natural-arch rock formation.

A hidden gem just an hour’s drive from downtown Birmingham

Since moving to Birmingham, I’ve made it a goal to visit many of Central Alabama’s “natural wonders,” such as the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge to see the gorgeous Cahaba Lillies and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, the only place on earth that the severely endangered Vermilion darter calls home.

When we saw the favorable forecast this weekend, my girlfriend and I decided to check another “natural wonder” off the list: Natural Bridge.

Just an hour’s drive from Birmingham via I-22 (or an hour and a half if you enjoy taking the back roads like me), the privately-owned, family-run Natural Bridge Park is located near the southwest edge of Winston County. The park features picnic areas and a 2-mile trail with a small waterfall, but the main attraction is the Natural Bridge itself.

• Natural Bridge Park: 205.486.5330 | Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Address: 315 Co Rd 3500, Natural Bridge, AL 35577
• Hours: 8AM-4PM on weekdays; 8AM-5PM on weekends

Know before you go: It’s not a long hike to the bridge, but the path is unpaved. Bring sturdy hiking boots and watch your step, especially along the interior walkway inside the cave.

Just a short walk from the visitor’s center, the Natural Bridge is a 60-foot-high, 148-foot-long sandstone and iron ore bridge formation said to date back 200 million years.

Walking on top of the Natural Bridge is strictly prohibited; luckily, the best view is actually underneath, where you can observe the iron ore deposits that keep the bridge standing. The natural overhang provides a much-appreciated reprieve from the Alabama sun, and the cave’s natural acoustics let you chat with someone on the other side of the cave using your “inside” voice.

The Park officially reopened its gates on Friday, September 26 after a month-long closure to repair road damages from flooding. If you haven’t yet visited this hidden gem, Natural Bridge Park makes for a wonderful day trip—bring a friend, pack some sandwiches and explore.

Have you visited Natural Bridge Park? What are your favorite natural “hidden gems” around Alabama? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!