Creelsboro Natural Bridge

Creelsboro Natural Bridge
240px
Map of Kentucky
Location	Russell County, Kentucky
Nearest city	Creelsboro
Coordinates
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1987

Creelsboro Natural Bridge (more commonly referred to as Rock House or the Rockhouse) is a natural bridge in southwestern Russell County, Kentucky, USA. It is located near the community of Creelsboro, approximately 7 miles (11 km) downstream from Wolf Creek Dam, which impounds Lake Cumberland. The Rockhouse is classified as a meander natural bridge because it was created by river erosion of a cliff on the outer side of a sharp meander in the river. Jim Creek flows through it before merging into the Cumberland River. With a span of 104 feet (32 m), it is the seventh largest natural bridge in the USA.

History

Rockhouse strata is over 440 million years old (Upper Ordovician Period, Cumberland Formation, Silty Dolomite). Unlike most natural bridges it is made of dolostone rather than sandstone. First discovered in 1770 by a group of hunters, Rockhouse is a popular site for camping. It was designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. National Park Service in 1987. It remains privately owned but is accessible by a short walk from KY 379. Immediately across the river in Clinton County is the private Rockhouse Trace.

See also

• Natural arch
• Rock shelter

References

• Creelsboro Natural Bridge
• Rockhouse Bottom
• Rockhouse Pictures
• Kentucky Geological Survey
• Kentucky Geological Survey GQMAPS, S36