The Underrated Natural Wonder Every Arkansan Should See At Least Once
By Carol Ann Carson|Published June 23, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
The Alum Cove Natural Bridge may have the honor of being the largest natural bridge in the state but that doesn’t mean it’s the only one worth visiting. About two hours east of Alum Cove is the Natural Bridge of Arkansas. This natural wonder may be underrated but it has plenty of unique features that make it an unforgettable family trip.
If you're looking for summer trip inspiration, this underrated natural wonder is certainly worth a trip.
The Natural Bridge of Arkansas is the perfect blend of history and nature. The bridge is estimated to be over 300-million years old and has been vital to the area's residents for centuries. Its been used to cross the Little Johnny Creek first by Native Americans, then early Arkansas settlers, and loggers later on in the late 1800s.
Like any classic roadside Americana, this natural bridge has its own gift shop.
You'll need to pass through it first to access to the nature trail that leads to the bridge. Visiting this bridge is $3/person which goes towards maintenance of the area. The gift shop is in a log cabin built back in 1871.
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The nature trail is a short and sweet trip on its own right.
The short stroll is well under a mile and is a perfect introduction to the natural beauty of the Ozarks. The trail does have steps but is overall quite family-friendly.
It won't take long before you see the bridge peeking through the trees.
The bridge is 120 feet long and about 12 feet high. What makes this bridge different than most natural bridges is its composition (completely sandstone) and its formation. Instead of being an arch, this bridge is a compression bridge, meaning it's buttressed by two enormous stones at either end.
Scrolling through photos is certainly a good starting point, but this is one natural wonder that definitely needs to be seen in person.
You and your family can visit the Natural Bridge of Arkansas between 8 am - 6 pm every day from spring to fall. For more information, you can follow their Facebook Page as well.
Have you taken a family road trip to see this natural bridge yet? Share your experience with us in the comments below! You can also add your photos to our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
