Natural Bridge Park: Alabama's Sandstone Wonder

Nestled in Winston County, Alabama, Natural Bridge Park offers a unique opportunity to witness the power of nature. The park's centerpiece, the Natural Bridge, is a majestic sandstone and iron ore arch created over 200 million years ago by water erosion. This natural wonder spans 148 feet and towers 60 feet above the forest floor, making it the longest natural bridge east of the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can explore the park's scenic trails, including a moderate two-mile loop that winds beneath the bridge, offering stunning views of the rock formation. Keep an eye out for the "Indian Head," a natural rock formation resembling a Native American profile, a subtle reminder of the area's indigenous history. The Creek Indians are known to have inhabited the area and likely used the bridge as shelter. The park also boasts diverse plant life, with 27 varieties of ferns and a stand of eastern hemlock. Natural Bridge Park was developed by the Legg family of Jasper and opened to the public in 1954. In August 2023, Donnie and Naomi Lowman purchased the park. The park has a gift shop with hand-crafted items, picnic accommodations, and an artesian well that supplies drinking fountains.