Beware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org or a qualified cave club. These groups are skilled and will train you. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.
Have you ever wanted to explore a unique cave, bask in the beauty of mother nature, or trek to an amazing natural structure? Look no further! The Natural Stone Bridge and Cave in Pottersville, New York provides all of this, and more.
Whether you love hiking or sitting down and enjoying a lovely scenic view, this park will not disappoint. There are several exciting activities and tours available when the weather permits, but we recommend a visit during the winter. Read on and you will see what brings cavers to this location all year.
About Natural Stone Bridge and Caves
The Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park in Pottersville is not only one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Adirondacks but also a geological wonder.
The massive marble bridge, the largest of its kind, is an outstanding example that highlights how ancient caves bring beauty and history to an area.
The family-owned and operated park features several waterfalls, caves, hiking trails, and many activities for children. One activity is disc golf, a game in which players try to throw discs into metal baskets. There’s also gemstone mining, museum adventure tours, and even dinosaur fossils! For parents or couples, there is a picnic pavilion and space for weddings available.
The self-guided tour is included in the admission price, but guests can opt for an Adventure Tour. These tours are facilitated by expert guides and have rigorous physical activity, reservations are required for the activities.
The Noisy Cave tour from the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves takes visitors through a shallow cave where Trout Brook pours in from several openings. The rush of water is likely to have played a role in naming the area.
If you’re lucky, you will see participants on an Adventure Tour moving through the waters of a cave. The winter season offers snowshoe tours with 14 miles of trails. It also provides a rental space where you can bring your equipment and use it for the day.
The largest and most abundant type of rock in the caves is marble, which is easier to erode than granite. Other rocks along the trail include quartzite and amphibolite, which were formed into their present states after undergoing tremendous heat and pressure.
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Tours
Summer Self-Guided Cave Trail
The trail in the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves crosses Trout Brook and the old Sawmill Site Waterfalls, which a massive Stone Bridge surrounds. The trail also features significant potholes, plus several surface caves and grottos, perfect for exploration! Explore the aboveground self-guided nature trail to view a spectacular display of ancient Adirondack geology.
The trail is a ¾-mile hike with over 500 irregular steps. Most groups take 45-60 minutes, but it’s up to you! If you feel like resting on one of the beautiful benches along the way, go for it.
The trail is as natural as possible, though you will encounter some bridges, boardwalks, and other manmade structures to limit erosion and maintain safety. You can wear sturdy walking or hiking shoes for the best experience!
Remember, you’re mostly above ground in this forest, so dress for whatever weather comes your way!
Stone Bridge Adventure Tours
This is a one-of-a-kind guided Adventure Tour that brings hardy individuals on a 3-4 hour long cave crawl through rock, sand, mud, and water.
Unlike other cave crawling tours, this one takes you into four different caves, each with its own environment and caving technique.
Dealing with the challenges of a cave depends largely on personal preference. If you find yourself uncomfortable in an area, you can opt out and still enjoy your entire tour. The grand finale of a visit to the caves is floating through Garnet Cave, where local “mermaids” used to swim.
Trained guides lead groups from the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves. They prepare you for a rigorous 3-4 hours of walking, kneeling, and crawling as well as some hoisting. The tour’s group size is limited to 4-10 participants aged 13+ and physically capable.
Winter Snowshoe Trails at Stone Bridge
If cold weather is your favorite, you’re in luck! Marvel at the sparkling stone bridge when frozen ice flows along Trout Brook. During the winter, most of the caves are inaccessible because of ice. Bridges that can get washed during the spring floods are removed in advance.
The 14.5 miles of additional trails provide many more opportunities to explore. Snowshoe along the old Sink Hole, Beaver Stump Loop, or Bobcat Ledges, where you might see exciting geology and animal tracks along the way.
You can bring hiking boots and warm clothing; if you don’t have your snowshoes, you can rent them at the site. The site recommends that people arrive by 1 pm, so they will be able to maximize their enjoyment of the tour.
Snowshoe tours are available through early March on Friday, Saturday and Sundays, with self-guided tours from 10:00 AM to 2:30 AM.
Chester Challenge Hikes
The trails at Adirondack Mountain Reserve offer a mountain peak experience for hikers of all kinds: well-marked paths with maps available to novices and seasoned hikers alike. CCTrails has exceptional signage at the summit. It points out nearby peaks while providing clear views across ranges.
Hikes must start before 1 pm and be ended between 4,5, and 6 depending on the season.
Catamount Trail: This 1.8-mile hike has a 678-foot ascent and was one of 5 shooting locations for Ben Stiller’s Showtime miniseries “Escape at Dannemora.”
Green Mountain Trail: This 4.6-mile hike with a 1263′ ascent takes you through some of the most scenic areas in the Adirondacks, including views of many High Peaks!
What to Wear
Boots: Warm Hiking Boots
Clothes: Wear synthetic clothing (that will dry if you sweat during your hike), Dress in layers that are easy to put on or take off.
You will want to of course bring appropriate gear for the snow if you plan to visit in the winter.
Kids & Family Fun At Natural Stone Bridge & Caves
The Caveman Adventure Park will be an excellent place for kids, with its 18-hole “Intro To Disc Golf Challenge” and climbing bouldering walls.
- Dino Dig
- Climbing Walls
- Gemstone Mining
- Geode Popping
- Jewelry Making
- Disc Golf
Bring a picnic to the park if you like! There are many tables throughout where you can sit and relax while your kids have fun. The park also sells food, such as sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers.
Conclusion
This is one place where you can come with your friends, co-workers, better half, or entire family. There are no restrictions. The scenic views and the rich history of this place leave both entertained and educated.
Ensure you visit their website to know the requirements and what you need to bring with you. You can see more information when planning your trip here.