Natural Bridge is a Shenandoah Valley community with a famous arch
When most people talk about Natural Bridge, they’re referring to the over-200-foot limestone archway that’s attracted travelers to Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains since the 1700s. But the community of Natural Bridge also encompasses the rural valley and forested mountains nearby, the roadside attractions and businesses supporting the area’s tourism, and the small communities of Natural Bridge Station and Glasgow. “Mostly it’s the views, it’s being in a rural setting,” says David Stull about what caused him to move here from New York 18 years ago. “It's also a very friendly area. Everybody seems to help everybody.” Stull, who is a broker with Sterling Properties & Management, says that the area’s proximity to Lexington is a draw. “It's got a lot of things going on all the time: free concerts, free lectures. You’ve also got the movie theater here and the drive-in.” Natural Bridge’s location on Interstate 81 also makes it easy to get to Staunton and Roanoke, which are both within an hour’s drive.
Natural Bridge features panoramic views of forested hills, ideal for outdoor exploration.
Natural Bridge State Park in Natural Bridge includes the iconic limestone arch, along with walking trails and seating areas for visitors.
1/2
Tourist attractions and national forests provide entertainment
Natural Bridge State Park is home to the community’s namesake. The park has a trail that passes under the famous archway and leads to views of a waterfall and the surrounding gorge. The heavy tourist traffic has caused more attractions to spring up around the park, including Natural Bridge Zoo, Virginia Safari Park and Dinosaur Kingdom II, a roadside attraction where fiberglass Civil War soldiers battle dinosaurs. To the southeast, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests offer more peaceful entertainment, including trails like Devil’s Marbleyard and the Appalachian Trail, as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic road that travels the length of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Hunting is a big thing here, especially deer hunting,” Stull says. “There's also great trout fishing.” He says people hunt in the national forests and on their own properties, and Buffalo Creek is known for its trout fishing. The James River and Maury River provide more fishing opportunities. Lexington has more entertainment options, like Hull’s Drive-In, an outdoor movie theater that also has a summer concert series.
Nestled in the valley, Natural Bridge offers access to mountain views, forested trails, and small-town charm.
Natural Bridge offers expansive views, ideal hiking, and nature photography.
1/2
A range of housing styles, prices and lifestyles
Natural Bridge has a wide variety of homes. Ranch-style houses, cottages and manufactured homes are most common, ranging in price from around $140,000 to $520,000. Buyers can also find colonial-style and Victorian homes from the 1800s and custom luxury homes, which range from around $610,000 to $1 million. Houses in Glasgow and Natural Bridge Station sit close together, giving these areas a small-town lifestyle. Outside of these communities, homes sit far apart on multi-acre properties, some of which are horse farms or wooded tracts bordering the national forest. Whether in town or farther away, most have views of the surrounding mountains. Undeveloped land can cost between $15,000 and $200,000, depending on acreage. Homes near the James and Maury Rivers are at risk of flooding, especially in Glasgow, where flooding is common. Homeowners in floodplains might have to buy flood insurance.
Ranch-style homes are common in the Natural Bridge suburb.
Natural Bridge includes several mobile home parks in a rural setting.
1/2
An artist retreat promotes local art and history
MidMountain Retreat in Natural Bridge Station hosts visiting artists and has regular events. MidMountain Fest in October and the Histories & Harmonies Hootenanny in May highlight regional art and history with a day of panel discussions, live music and creative workshops.
Restaurants and small grocery stores are nearby
The Pink Cadillac Diner caters to both locals and tourists with its vintage décor and classic diner food. The Natural Bridge General Store offers a small selection of groceries, and the Natty B Café here sells sandwiches and salads to go. In Glasgow, Scotto’s Pizza in Glasgow serves Italian and Southern cuisines in a casual atmosphere. Glasgow Grocery Express is a hybrid grocery and hardware store. Stull says there are lots of wineries nearby and most have entertainment. The weekly Natural Bridge Farmers Market at Virginia Gold Orchard sells locally grown produce. National retailers like Walmart and grocery stores like Food Lion are in Lexington.
Pink Cadillac Diner in Natural Bridge serves up classic American fare in a retro roadside setting.
Natty B Cafe in Natural Bridge offers local meats, produce, and casual dining in a laid-back general store setting.
1/2
Rockbridge County public schools earn Bs and Cs
Kids can start school at Natural Bridge Elementary and then go to Maury River Middle; both earn a C-plus from Niche. At the B-rated Rockbridge County High, students can enroll in career-focused programs like robotics technology and engineering. They can also join over 15 clubs, including the Pickleball Club and Future Business Leaders of America.
Maury River Middle School serves grades 6–8 for students across Rockbridge County.
Natural Bridge Elementary serves grades PK–5 for local early learners.
1/2
On Interstate 81 between Roanoke and Staunton
Interstate 81 passes through Natural Bridge, and U.S. Routes 11 and 501 are also major thoroughfares. Lexington, located 13 miles away, is the closest city. Roanoke is around 41 miles away, and Staunton is a 48-mile drive. Houses of worship here include Falling Spring Presbyterian and Union Baptist Church. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital is 13 miles away, and Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is a 38-mile trip.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Country Cottage in Arnolds Valley! This darling two-bedroom, one bathroom cottage combines the architectural beauty of the 1950s with modern conveniences and design. Located minutes from the Historic Glenwood Furnace, James River, Petites Gap Mile Post, Arnolds Valley Overlook and Four Way Trail Crossroads.
Just over 20 minutes from Lexington, this 4-bedroom, 1.5-bath home sits on 2 flat, open acres and is situated nearby to some of the most beautiful outdoor recreation our area has to offer -- including the Glenwood Horse Trail, Jefferson National Forest, and the James River for kayaking, fishing, and swimming.The home has a solid layout and a full basement, with two carports and multiple storage
Looking for nearly 17 acres of privacy for your dream home or cabin? Look no further! Dreaming of an investment property to rent out to tourists for the Peaks of Otter, Natural Bridge or Lexington, or to hunters...here is your chance! This Acerage has a place to build, previous perc, and is already in two parcels. Mountain and river views on the ridge and road frontage on two separate roads.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lori Parker,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,316
Median Age
47
Population under 18
21.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.6%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,454
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$67,305
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
86.5%
College Graduates
15.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.1%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
3''
Area Factors
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
