Natural Bridge State Park Day Trip
Welcome to Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, Massachusetts
Tucked away in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts (MA), in the Berkshires, there are two unique (to all North America) geological attractions in Natural Bridge State Park: a natural white marble arch bridge and a man-made white marble dam. This post explores what you’ll see when visiting the dam as, during our visit in early August, access points to the arch were closed due to storm damage earlier this year.
How to get to Natural Bridge State Park in North Adams, MA |
The park entrance point and visitor center is located on McAuley Road in North Adams. Plot directions here and drive up the curving road to the parking lot.
It’s only a few steps from the parking lot to the white marble dam and visitor center, and the path is suitable for all levels including very young children (though not accessible per se).
What to see at Natural Bridge State Park
Look for the gravel path to the left of the visitor center and follow it until reaching the fenced portion where you can see the dam. It was constructed in 1838 from marble extracted on site, and there are spots through the trees and on the footbridge to see the water flowing over the marble stone.
When you pause and look closely, the white marble almost gives off a glint on a bright day. This is the first stop along the path that takes you to the natural (arch) bridge.
Tip: As you walk past the dam, pause on the footbridge to see the water flow over the dam and into the Hudson Brook that then twists down into a 60-foot gorge.
Continue walking onto a grassy area on the other side of the pond for scenic views or up to a couple of (temporarily closed when we visited) access points to viewing decks for the natural white marble bridge (look for the stairs) and 60-foot deep rock chasm with glacial potholes. Walking a bit further down the path or descending down the stairs to the point where access is closed gives you a glimpse of this geological wonder.
Tip: There are picnic areas and grills near the visitor center that you can use for a family outing. Restrooms and historical information are available in the center.
Natural Bridge State Park is really easy to explore in an hour or so. The waterfall over the dam, gigantic rock formations and Berkshires landscapes are incredibly scenic.
The park closes at 4:30pm, and there was no parking or admission fee the day we visited. It’s a good idea to check the park’s official web page for updates on when the footbridge and chasm walkway will be open.
Have you visited Natural Bridge State Park to see the white marble wonders? What do you like to see when visiting this part of the Berkshires?
Leave a comment below.
