Scorched by Wildfire, Natural Bridge State Park Set to Re-Open

Sometimes you miss an opportunity, and it's your own fault. And sometimes you miss an opportunity due to circumstances beyond your control...like, for example, not being born yet.

Beautiful Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Still, I have no excuses for never having visited Natural Bridge State Park; it's not even an hour's drive east of Lexington. And, even though I've never been, I can attest to its beauty thanks to my dad's pictures he took (a LOT of them) back in 1964. But in 2023, we have drones. This is amazing:

Wildfire Scorches Natural Bridge State Resort Park

Simply stunning. And when I heard about a wildfire that scorched some 125 acres of this unparalleled landscape, I was concerned that what I was anticipating might have to be postponed much longer than I'd like. We plan to visit before the year is out. The park issued this over the weekend:

Natural Bridge State Resort Park

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WLKY-Louisville news crews caught up with firefighters at the park last week, just a few days after the fire began.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park Set to Re-Open

Fortunately, Natural Bridge State Resort Park will be able to reopen as early as this Friday, but there will a couple of exceptions.

Natural Bridge State Resort Park will resume normal operations starting Friday, April 28, 2023. Trails will be open except for the Balance Rock Trail and the Hoods Branch Trail which will remain closed due to safety concerns. We appreciate everyone’s patience while we recover from the recent forest fire.

Why You Should Visit Natural Bridge State Resort Park

In addition to the spectacular geographic feature that gives the park its name, Natural Bridge State Resort Park is also known for prime bird watching. Fans can find an enormous selection of species throughout the year while camping or just vegging out.

But there's also fishing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, pedal boating, swimming, and miniature golf to occupy lots of visitors' time. And don't forget the sky lift.

It's been a scary time at the park, but the worst of it seems to be over...and just in time for the BUSIEST time of the year.

[SOURCE: Kentucky Today]

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

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To determine the most popular national parks in the United States, Stacker compiled data from the National Park Service on the number of recreational visits each site had in 2020. Keep reading to discover the 50 most popular national parks in the United States, in reverse order from #50 to #1. And be sure to check with individuals parks before you visit to find out about ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.