First in the nation: Natural Bridge State Park pioneers accessibility for the blind
Natural Bridge State Park in Virginia is the first state park in the U.S. to install RightHear, creating a fully accessible location for people who are blind or have low vision.
![See the stars: Natural Bridge gets โInternational Dark Sky statusโ](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/zxVcjh8XMDGXdm0Du33ryocIU_Y=/1600x1066/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/WCQ5X3DK35DY5M2GVOR6CMSYQQ.jpg)
See the stars: Natural Bridge gets โInternational Dark Sky statusโ
Natural nighttime darkness is disappearing, making stargazing more difficult. International Dark Sky designation recognizes areas and organizations working to maintain spaces where the public can see stars more easily.
![Natural Bridge State Park featured on 2021 Virginia Travel Guide cover](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/r30q8Vcok4PAsoSG72R-ZXHTv7o=/2048x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/03-18-2021/t_3a9d37b42cea443dad72d697fa964db6_name_image.jpg)
Natural Bridge State Park featured on 2021 Virginia Travel Guide cover
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. โ A stunning natural landmark is putting Rockbridge County on the map. Natural Bridge State Park and the iconic natural bridge will be featured on the fall cover of the 2021 Virginia Travel Guide. The local tourism marketing director, Patty Williams, said they were thrilled to hear about the honor and that this kind of attention will draw in visitors. And once theyโre here theyโre going to love the natural beauty and want to see more of it,โ said Williams, the director of marketing for Rockbridge Regional Tourism. She also said restaurants, shops and other attractions will likely get a boost too.
![Virginians keep โFirst Day Hikeโ tradition alive in 2021](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/-saCVxT1Z74P5xKeB0te5JDuIZk=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/01-01-2021/t_4f3d3fb47f5d4893854db03b5da8a2ba_name_image.jpg)
Virginians keep โFirst Day Hikeโ tradition alive in 2021
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. โ The soggy start to 2021 didnโt prevent some Virginians from keeping a favorite tradition. National forests and state parks across the country offer First Day Hikes on New Yearโs Day. Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County typically hosts guided tours; however, because of the pandemic, they had self-guided ones and a scavenger hunt. Workers said although the crowd was smaller this year, itโs a symbolic way to start the year off on the right foot. Jackson said many people took advantage of the outdoors in 2020 and he hopes it continues this year.
![State parks leaders take public input on Natural Bridge State Park master plan](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/xneXmu0LxAfQO5XHeIrh2WOzFS4=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-22-2020/t_78d5706050ef4edc8c2c532564d80ddc_name_image.jpg)
State parks leaders take public input on Natural Bridge State Park master plan
โ Virginia state parks leaders said thereโs a bright future for Natural Bridge State Park in Rockbridge County. At the session, they talked about upgrades to the park and noted how far the park had come since it became a state park in 2016. Itโs celebrating its four-year state park anniversary this fall. State Parks Director Melissa Baker said itโs needed as state park attendance has soared this year due to COVID19. But Baker said Natural Bridge is a truly special place, and they want to get it right.
![Bandana-clad man robs gas station just off I-81 in Natural Bridge](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/fG22bP_uhUS16U2Toj6tvGbriUg=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/Y3JT5B6GARDOJL7LVNPVKWPNHU.png)
Bandana-clad man robs gas station just off I-81 in Natural Bridge
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. Deputies are searching for the man who robbed a gas station Friday night, about 2 miles away from Natural Bridge State Park. Shortly before 11 p.m., someone call 911 about an armed robbery at the Exxon on South Lee Highway in Natural Bridge,The robber is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, according to authorities. Deputies and a Virginia State Police trooper searched the area and are following up on leads. Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call the Rockbridge County Sheriffs Office at 540-463-7328.
![Natural Bridge State Park gets help clearing trails and looks to add biking trails](https://media.wsls.com/photo/2019/06/27/Natural_Bridge_State_Park_expanding_its_trails_1561678175889_22034315_ver1.0_1280_720.jpg)
Natural Bridge State Park gets help clearing trails and looks to add biking trails
Natural Bridge State Park is looking to expand its trails. Clearing trails at Natural Bridge State Park is just one of the jobs boys from across Virginia. "Roanoke being the East Coast mountain biking capital, is close by and it's a easy commute. If you ride the trails there, you could be able to ride the trails here at Natural Bridge State Park in the future," Jones said. The Youth Conservation Corps will continue to help Natural Bridge State Park for the next two and a half weeks.