There are times when the scenic route is absolutely necessary, and that is exactly what I did this past weekend. Driving back to Atlanta from Decatur, Alabama, I took the long way home along US Highway 278, and in doing so we stumbled upon Natural Bridge Park. The park has been open since 1954 and is home to Alabama’s largest natural arch.
The Natural Bridge is located just outside William Bankhead National Forest. The overpass spans a small cave area with a curved rock formation 148 feet long and 60 feet high. This makes it the longest natural bridge east of the Rockies, and it is estimated to have formed over 200 million years ago.
If you are looking for a natural wonder, then I definitely recommend checking out this hidden gem. The park includes several varieties of fern and a variety of hemlock, which dates back to the Ice Age. Don’t miss the nature trail that goes all around the park. Natural Bridge the perfect place to come have a picnic and take in the blindingly green foliage and stunning rock formations in Alabama’s back yard. Also, don’t miss the large American Indian profile in one of the outcroppings.
