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"N" The Know Guide Proudly presents, Natural Bridge
State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky
Natural Bridge Park features a natural sandstone arch which spans 78 feet across and is 65 feet high. A natural process called "weathering" is believed to have formed the arch over millions of years of erosion. The park spans about 2,300 acres. Natural Bridge Park was originally created as a private park and founded in 1895 by the Lexington and Eastern Railroad. This company was a subsidiary of the Kentucky Union Lumber Company. Natural Bridge Park was created to cater to it's passengers. Camps, trails, picnic areas and other improvements were designed to make attractive visitors that travel to Natural Bridge Park. For many years, the only way to reach Natural Bridge Park was to buy a ticket on the L&E Railroad and take the excursion to the park.
In 1926 the park was officially donated to the state of Kentucky. Natural Bridge Park would become one the first four original Kentucky state parks. Excursions from Louisville, Lexington and Hazard continued to operate by rail until 1942, when the line was discontinued. There are about 20 miles of trails that "criss-cross" all along the park.
994 acres of Natural Bridge State Park has been set aside as a nature preserve. Numerous sandstone rock-shelters, as well as rare plant species and animals are protected in this preserve. Virginia Big-Ear bats and Small Yellow Lady's Slipper benefit from the preserve's conservation activities.
Hoedown Island & Nature Store is an area of Natural Bridge Park that is opened seasonally throughout the year. An open-air dance platform features weekly square dancing. Nature Store presents unique gifts. Swimming Pool Complex is also a seasonal attraction. Directional water jets, floor bubblers and wading pools are some of it's features. 18-hole miniature golf course, pedal boats, picnic shelters and playgrounds are all found near the entrance to the sky lift. Sky lift is a lift ride that begins about 1/2 mile from the park entrance and drops off about 600 feet of the Natural Bridge.
Hemlock Lodge is a 35 room mountainside lodge, that features private balconies overlooking the pool complex and Hoedown Island Lake.
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Information about Natural Bridge Park is sourced in part from visiting the state park and from sourcing Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission and Wikipedia.org. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission and Wikipedia do not support nor endorse NewporterJazz.com