Cedar Creek is a
[U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline data]
The National Map
, accessed April 1, 2011 tributary of the
James River in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sove ...
of
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
. It is notable for flowing through the
Natural Bridge
A natural arch, natural bridge, or (less commonly) rock arch is a natural landform where an arch has formed with an opening underneath. Natural arches commonly form where inland cliffs, coastal cliffs, fins or stacks are subject to erosion ...
rock formation, a
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark (NHL) is a building, district, object, site, or structure that is officially recognized by the United States government for its outstanding historical significance. Only some 2,500 (~3%) of over 90,000 places listed ...
.
Course
The creek rises at the
Rockbridge-
Botetourt County
Botetourt County ( ) is a US county that lies in the Roanoke Region of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Located in the mountainous portion of the state, the county is bordered by two major ranges, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Mou ...
line near the crest of the Short Hills within the
Short Hills Wildlife Management Area,
and flows northeast for along the ridgecrest before dropping off the mountain to the east. Upon reaching the base of the mountain ridge, Cedar Creek turns south, then southeast, flowing under
Interstate 81
Interstate 81 (I-81) is a north–south (physically northeast–southwest) Interstate Highway in the eastern part of the United States. Its southern terminus is at I-40 in Dandridge, Tennessee; its northern terminus is on Wellesley Isla ...
, then flowing under the
Natural Bridge
A natural arch, natural bridge, or (less commonly) rock arch is a natural landform where an arch has formed with an opening underneath. Natural arches commonly form where inland cliffs, coastal cliffs, fins or stacks are subject to erosion ...
, which carries
U.S. Route 11. The creek continues south farther, reaching the
James River at
Gilmore Mills.
Cedar Creek Trail
The Cedar Creek Trail runs alongside Cedar Creek for , allowing visitors to see the bridge and other places of interest, including a Native American village, Saltpeter Cave, the Lost River, and Lace Falls.
See also
*
List of rivers of Virginia
References
Rivers of Virginia
Tributaries of the James River
Rivers of Rockbridge County, Virginia
{{Virginia-river-stub