No need to grab the passport for tours of the Seven Wonders of the World. We’ve got you covered. Virginia is home to many of the most well-known and sought-after outdoor landmarks in the country. So pack up the car and discover some of the Commonwealth’s natural wonders!
LURAY CAVERNS – LURAY
Looking for the ultimate underground experience? Known as “Geology’s Hall of Fame,” Luray Caverns is the largest and one of the most popular caverns in Eastern America. Founded in 1878, the Registered Natural Landmark reaches peaks up to 10 stories high and has more natural wonders within its caverns than any other in Virginia. Check out Giant’s Hall, filled with towering columns and crystal clear pools or The Stalagpipe Organ, home to the world’s largest instrument. There’s always more to discover from the state’s eight caverns.
NATURAL BRIDGE – NATURAL BRIDGE
The Virginia Natural Bridge has been included in several “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” lists. Although mostly on the lists from the 19th and early 20th centuries, its natural wonders still remain today. Formed when a cavern collapsed, legend holds that a young George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge site for Lord Fairfax. Today, landmarks remain of the work and on the wall of the bridge where he carved his initials. Just before the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land, including the Natural Bridge, from King George, III of England for 20 shillings. Today it is privately owned. At the end of the day, unwind to view the Drama of Creation show, created in 1927 by then-president, Calvin Coolidge.
NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK – DUFFIELD
Natural Tunnel was once described as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The tunnel, which was naturally carved through a limestone ridge for more than a thousand years, is more than 850 feet long and reaches a height of up to 10 stories. One of Virginia’s 37 state parks, Natural Tunnel offers cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River.
WESTMORELAND STATE PARK – MONTROSS
Head to the northern neck of the Potomac River and you’ll find Westmoreland State Park. Take in the breathtaking views atop Horse Head Cliffs or stroll along the river’s shore and hunt ancient shark teeth. The park’s amenities include something for everyone in the family to enjoy, from the Olympic-sized pool to boating and fishing. Take in the great outdoors by doing some bird watching; the region is widely known for spotting American bald eagles, kingfishers, great blue herons, ospreys and more.
BURKES GARDEN – TAZEWELL
Burkes Garden is the Commonwealth’s highest valley and largest rural historic district. Described as “God’s Thumbprint,” the bowl-shaped valley will take visitors back to a simpler time when agriculture, religion and education were the main focuses of its settlers. Today, the Garden offers breathtaking scenery, peaceful hiking and biking, bird watching, and more. Head to the cemetery at the Central Lutheran Church to discover gravestones dating back to the 1700s or follow the Appalachian Trail for scenic overlooks into the Garden.
THE NEW RIVER – SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
Photo Credit: Randy Rose
Flowing through 320 miles of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, The New River is one of the five oldest rivers in the world, with its present course dating back approximately 65 million years. It is also one of only a few rivers in the world that flow South to North. In addition to the scenic views found along the Southwest Virginia portion of the New River, the river offers lots of outdoor recreation opportunities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing, and fishing.
BREAKS INTERSTATE PARK – BREAKS
Head west to the state border and you’ll find the “Grand Canyon of the South.” Historic Breaks Interstate Park was discovered in 1767 by Daniel Boone and offers all the beauty you’d expect from the mountainous land, where you can take a tranquil hike or bike ride. Go for a canoe ride on Laurel Lake or take the family out for a day of geocaching. The park is open year-round and boasts motel, cottage and cabin accommodations.
GREAT DISMAL SWAMP – CHESAPEAKE& SUFFOLK
The National Wildlife Refuge is the largest remnant of a habitat that spanned more than one million acres over southern Virginia and northern North Carolina. In 1973, the Great Dismal Swamp was donated to The Nature Conservancy, making it a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. If you’re looking to hunt or just take in the beauty of the habitat, the Great Dismal Swamp has activities from hunting and fishing, to photography and environmental education classes.
SAND CAVE – EWING
Located in Cumberland Gap National Park, Virginia’s Sand Cave is a marvelous natural wonder, with a colorful ceiling of golds, reds, and greens arching over the massive open cavern’s sandy floor. The cave is accessible from a 3.9-mile trail through the park that showcases some of the natural beauty of Southwest Virginia, with this incredible payoff waiting at the end for an awe-inspiring photo op.
GREAT FALLS PARK – MCLEAN
Just 15 miles from DC sits one of the most historic natural wonders in the U.S.: Great Falls Park, located on the Potomac River. A unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the park’s origins date back to 10,500 BC. Stroll along the river and take in the sights of the falls and abundant wildlife. Children five and older can attend the Junior Ranger Program to explore and learn, as well.
How about the Great Channels Park, in Abingdon VA?
What about The Cascades?
Seven Natural Wonders (CNN) Aurora Borealis. Harbor of Rio de Janeiro. Grand Canyon. Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Mount Everest. Paricutin. Victoria Falls.
For the record, Great Falls is in MARYLAND, not Virginia. The Potomac River is located in Maryland. Sure, you can VIEW it from Virginia, but you can’t claim it as a Virginia Wonder.
Silly distinction. Great Falls Park is indeed in Virginia. It is Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park is on the Maryland side. You can only access the falls directly by boat from the Virginia side as well.
mjzwick is correct. The legal boundary has the Potomac entirely within Maryland. In fact, there was a battle between the two colonies over this. Blame it on the King, who deemed it such.
the boundry line of maryland and virginia sits in the middle of the river, as do many in this country. it’s not worth arguing over is it? life is too short to be politically correct, get out and do something.
this is great i wish i can have and tour
You can have a border/boundary on the shore, as you said.
The Great Falls National Park, VA is entirely in Virginia, disregarding what you watch.
Think about Niagara Falls, the border is in the middle, but both countries have their Niagara Parks to watch each others shore / waters.
Leave it to the metropolitan in NoVA and MD to duke it out over boundary lines. As the final poster on the subject correctly pointed out, the article spoke to Great Falls Park, not Great Falls itself. Geez. Maybe Maryland has so little beauty east of Cumberland it has to flex muscles where it can?
Apparently you’ve never searched for secret places in Maryland have you. Tsk…Tsk.
We are so proud of the Breaks Park. You could spend a week here and not see it all. We live about 8 miles from here. Wonderful place.
60 years ago I came with my family from the other side of the Atlantic ocean, and (Virginia opened up her arms} for us.
We have seen most of these places. These pictures are absolutely gorgeous..
We allI will encourage each and everyone to come and visit our beautiful State.
Why is ths awesome Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel not listed as a Virginia wondsr? We lived in ths tidewater area during the years it was being built, tooke rhe last ferry ride over and back before the new span opened in the fall of 1964 and have been back to your state many times to all the 8 wonders and many orher places! Just curious as to why it is not included. Thanks.
My guess would be because it isn’t natural, but man-made.
These are “natural” wonders, Sara. The Bay Bridge and Tunnel is man-made.