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Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

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Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio

Your globe-spanning wildlife safari in Texas starts behind the wheel of your very own car. With a handy guidebook that will help you identify all the ranch’s animals, you’ll cruise along the scenic winding roads spotting American bison,  African crowned cranes, and much more. Don’t drive too fast as some of these animals will walk right up to your vehicle, an ideal time to unroll your window and toss out with a handful of food or strike a pose for a one-of-a-kind selfie. Although any time of the year is good to visit, spring offers the best chance to see young zebras, llamas, antelopes, and other animals.

Although your self-guided wildlife safari could fill up most of your day, it is by no means the only thing to do at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. Get face-to-face with a towering giraffe, watch energetic ring-tailed lemurs play, and snap some photos at the Walk-A-Bout part of the ranch. 

Spend enough time exploring the ranch and you’ll likely work up an appetite as big as the Serengeti, so herd your flock on over to the Safari Camp Grill. The eatery’s menu features fare both light and robust, as well as a dessert selection that includes Zebra a la Mode. Speaking of dessert, you can also stop by the Safari Sweet Spot for some homemade fudge or a cold beverage. Order whatever your taste buds crave, then sit on the covered patio and watch the giraffes meander by. Think you’re done yet? Not a chance! After all, what would a visit to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch be without a souvenir? Pay a visit to the Safari Trading Post for a unique memento, such as a t-shirt, cup, silver giraffe pendant, or even an ostrich egg.

Embark on an African Safari, Texas Style right here in Texas, and enjoy a remarkable day out with the whole family, at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch.

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The Caverns at Natural Bridge

​ Natural Bridge Caverns are one of the most popular attractions in our area! Each year, visitors come from near and far to observe these magnificent natural wonders. The caverns  were discovered just before the turn of the 20th century and first opened to the public in 1977. Open seasonally, the   Natural Bridge Caverns tour s explore 34 stories beneath the surface of the Earth to reveal one of the greatest natural underground displays on the East Coast. Read on for additional information on visiting the Caverns at Natural Bridge, including hours of operation, tour information, admission prices, and more!   

Looking for more one-of-a-kind things to do during your trip to our area? Access our  Natural Bridge Vacation Guide ! This free resource is filled with local insight on what to explore during your visit.   

Access the Natural Bridge Vacation Guide  

Everything You Need to Know About the Caverns at Natural Bridge  

How did the natural bridge caverns form.

So ,  how exactly did these Virginia  c averns form?  Well, technically, they’re  still  forming!  The  caverns are continuously changing  through a slow, arduous natural process.  Over time,  slow-moving water  transform s  cracks and cavities in the mountain into great large passages.   N atural deposits from minerals in the  E arth created the cavern structures that the Natural Bridge Caverns are so famous for today. Because the  c averns in V irginia  are located beneath the Earth’s surface, the temperature remains a cool 54 degrees constantly .   We recommend packing  a sweater or lightweight jacket  any time of year if you plan to visit the caverns!  

How Can You Visit the Caverns at Natural Bridge

The  C averns  at Natural Bridge are open March through November and Weekends only December through February.

Guided tours generally last about 45 minutes and begin every 60 minutes. We s trongly recommend  wearing  proper walking shoes to this Virginia  a ttraction  as the topography can be hard to  maneuver  otherwise .     

When Can You Tour the Caverns at Natural Bridge

Winter Hours: Closed Monday-Thursday

• Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 10am-4pm
• December 26th-Janurary 7th: Open Every day from 10am-4pm

Additional Activities:

• Gem Mining is available 10am-4pm (Cavern tour not required for this activity. 4 bag options and a bucket available for purchase in the gift shop.) The Gem Mining Sluice is located outside. During the winter months depending on the weather, it may not be available on certain days. Please call for more information on availability.
• 1.8 Mile Buck Hill Trail 10am-4pm

Please Be Advised:

During the Spring and Fall, The Caverns At Natural Bridge offers several educational programs and tours for schools throughout Virginia. These schools typically book Monday-Friday between 10am – 2pm. If anyone is planning on visiting the Caverns during the week, we suggest calling ahead to confirm available tour times.

Cavern Tour Tickets:

Adults –  $20  

Kids (3 – 12) –  $13

Military Discount (ID may be required) –  10  percent  discount on regular admission prices (Cavern Tickets Only)  

A County admission tax of 6% is added to all tickets.

Tour Information

* Inclement Weather: We follow Rockbridge County Public School winter closure/delay schedule. When in doubt, please call for details.

* Please check the cavern’s  Facebook  p age  for  tour time  updates ,  which may affect your plans. We try to let  visitors  know when large groups have booked which inevitably changes  t our  t imes for other  p ark guests.  For additional questions, please call   ( 540 )  291-2482 .   

*  To book   g roup  d ay  t ours, please contact [email protected]  

Special Package:

Located right off I-81 at exits 175 ,  180 ,  and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Natural Bridge Caverns are  nearby  Natural Bridge State Park .  We recommend booking the  Natural Bridge Two-Night Adventure Package ! This special offer starts at $257.00 per night plus tax and includes :  

• Two-night stay for two adults and two children.  
• Complimentary  breakfast for all each morning.  
• Four tickets to the Caverns at Natural Bridge, Natural Bridge State Park, Natural Bridge Zoo, and Dinosaur Kingdom II.  

Book This Package

*Tour space is limited and fills up quickly.  We ask visitors to p lease plan accordingly and arrive early .

How long does it take to go through the Caverns at Natural Bridge?

Approximately 60 minutes

How many steps do the Natural Bridge Caverns have?

How long a walk is the natural bridge trail.

This is a 2.5 mile there-and-back trail that begins and ends at the same trailhead.

Stay in the Perfect Hotel Near the Natural Bridge Caverns

The Natural Bridge Historic Hotel and Conference Center is located just a three-minute drive or 10-minute walk from the Caverns at Natural Bridge. It’s the perfect homestead for your trip to Natural Br idge, Virginia. We’re also across the street from the famous Natural Bridge State Park, and nearby many other of the most sought-after attractions in the area.   

Browse  our   Natural Bridge, VA, lodging  options  to begin planning your trip to our area. We can’t wait to show you around!  

Browse Rooms & Plan Your Trip  

Guided Tour

Ride with us and learn from a safari ranger.

Experience the ultimate Safari Adventure Tour at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch! Led by our knowledgeable and dedicated animal specialists, this guided trek offers a hands-on experience with incredible animals. Our Safari Adventure Trek Tours provide enhanced experiences, where guides share fun facts, management insights, and rich heritage, offering a fresh perspective on our African Safari, Texas Style. With a focus on species conservation, our Safari Adventure Trek allows you to learn more from our guides while riding in our custom-built Safari Rover or Safari Shuttle. Get ready for an unforgettable exploration!

Safari Shuttle

Experience the ultimate adventure at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch! Join our Safari Animal Rangers on a 75-minute guided trek, encountering fascinating animals. It's a journey of unforgettable fun and discovery!

Safari Shuttle Pricing: $149.99 per party

General Admission is not included and required for entry into the park. Maximum 8 guests per tour.

Safari Rover

Got a group of 9 or more adventurers? Hop aboard a Safari Rover and get up close to 40 different species! Learn from an informative and entertaining Ranch Tour Guide and get ready for plenty of oohs and ahhs. 

Safari Rover Booking:

Contact our Tour Coordinator

A DD AN EXCURSION TO YOUR GUIDED  SAFARI!

Make your safari even better by adding one or more of these excursions!

You'll be able to select them while booking your safari.

Aviary Experience

The only thing better than seeing our birds is feeding them! Come inside with food on popsicle sticks that dozens of budgies look forward to enjoying. NOTE: Guests must be 3 years or older to enter the exhibit.

Excursion Pricing: $5.00 for general admission ticket holders

Prehistoric Experience

Walk amongst dozens of dinosaurs that move, breathe, and can't wait for you to maybe get a little too close. This excursion is sure to be memorable and filled with plenty of oohs, ahs, and a yikes or two. 

Excursion Pricing:

$5.00 for general admission ticket holders 3+ years old

Safari Drive-Thru

The Virginia Safari Park, located in Natural Bridge, offers visitors the opportunity to see and feed animals up-close from their vehicles in the safari drive-thru attraction.

The Virginia Safari Park opened in the spring of 2000 because we felt there was a need and desire for people to be able to see wild animals in a much more natural environment than had previously been available.

In the Safari, you'll be able to see animals run and frolic with abandon on our 180-acre property. Take your time as you drive along the three miles of maintained gravel road. Feed the animals through your vehicle windows and be prepared to stop for them as they stroll across your path or even lie down.

Our animals are allowed to roam freely and act instinctively. This means you might see males competing with each other for the females’ attention, resulting in cute baby animals being born throughout the season. You could be among the lucky visitors who witness a live birth and the first steps of the newborn.

Feed the Animals

As you make your way along the road in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, stop every once in a while to feed the animals our specialty grain mixture.

You’ll never forget the experience of one of our huge bull elk or deer eating from your bucket of feed. Drive through as many times as you like to give everyone in your group a chance to have a memorable encounter like this.

Safari Village Walk-Thru

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Animal Feeding

Village Walk-Thru

Animal Encounters

Breathtaking views around every corner, the Discovery Tour is a journey through the chambers first discovered at Natural Bridge Caverns. Informed tour guides will walk you through the cavern with educational stops along the way. These awe inspiring and spectacular natural formations, including soda straws, flowstone, stalagmites and stalactites have grown over thousands of years - and thanks to our ongoing stewardship, continue to grow today.

Departure Time: Every 10-40 minutes Tour Duration: about 1 hour Walking Distance: 3/4 mile (1.20 km) INCLUDES STAIRS Tour Depth: 180 ft. (54.86 m) Cavern Temp: 70° Relative Humidity: 99%

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