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Natural Bridge Zoo, Natural Bridge, VA

Photo: roanokecollege, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Attractions

Natural Bridge Zoo

A privately owned zoo in Natural Bridge, Virginia, known for breeding threatened and endangered animals.

5784 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge, VA 24578 · Natural Bridge, VA

About Natural Bridge Zoo

Natural Bridge Zoo is a privately run zoo in Natural Bridge, Virginia. It opened to the public in 1972 and says it has never taken federal, state, or local funding. Its core mission is raising and breeding threatened and endangered species. The zoo also aims to teach students and visitors about living animals, birds, and reptiles, and to show children who have little contact with nature how wildlife lives. It argues that wild habitats are under pressure from logging, poaching, farming, and development, so exotic animals are not always safe running free.

  • #zoo
  • #wildlife
  • #endangered species
  • #breeding program
  • #education

What's around here?

The closest stops to Natural Bridge Zoo, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Attractions

    Virginia Safari Park

    $25–$50

    A 180-acre drive-through wildlife park in Rockbridge County where visitors view and feed animals from their vehicles.

    2.2 mi awayMore like this

  • Sports & Outdoors
    History Buff

    Green Pastures Recreation Area

    Check prices

    Hike or bike 8 miles of forest trails and picnic by a small lake at a CCC-built park opened in 1940 for Black Virginians in the Allegheny Highlands.

    14 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Sports & Outdoors

    Douthat State Park

    Check prices

    A mountain state park in Virginia's Allegheny Mountains with a 50-acre lake, extensive trails, cabins, and camping.

    23 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors

  • Museums

    Amherst County Historical Museum

    No admission fee

    A county history and genealogy museum in Amherst, Virginia, run by a private nonprofit historical society.

    27 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Lost World Caverns

    Under $25

    Walk a self-guided half-mile loop through a huge cave room near Lewisburg, past the War Club stalagmite where a man once sat for nearly 16 days.

    52 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Grand Caverns

    $25–$50

    Walk a mile through the oldest show cave in the country, open since 1806, past rare shield formations and Civil War soldiers' signatures.

    57 mi awayMore like this