Photos: The Adventure Team explores Natural Stone Bridge and Caves in Pottersville

Natural Stone Bridge and Caves is a geological wonder found slightly off the beaten path in Pottersville, New York — about a half-hour drive from Lake George. It is touted as the “largest marble cave entrance in the eastern United States” with a system of caves, whirlpools and waterfalls formed by retreating glaciers during the last ice age. The site has been in the same family since the 1790s, and they have operated it as a park for visitors for nearly a century.

The park operators held their annual Neighbor Appreciation Weekend on June 7-8, offering residents of surrounding counties free park admission. The Lake George Examiner Adventure Team, a family of four that includes Eli, who is 4-almost-5-years-old, and Easton, age 2 and a half, took advantage of the offer to hike the trails and explore the caves and activities at Natural Stone Bridge and Caves.

For the self-guided tour, visitors follow a natural trail with the help of a map. Points of interest are numbered, and educational signs along the trail provide information. The trail follows and crosses over Trout Brook, a vigorous flow of water that carves the stone caves. The trail includes stone steps, some very steep, and bridges.

The smallest member of the Adventure Team needed some help navigating the steeper climbs.  Sturdy, rubber-soled shoes are required for this trek. Slip-in styles that allow the foot to move inside the shoe are not the best choice. Even on sunny days, expect to hike over wet and slippery rocks, particularly when descending into a cave.

Speaking of caves, the Adventure Team was most excited to enter the Noisy Cave, an underground cavern with the sound of roaring water bouncing off the rock walls. Nearby, the team investigated pothole formations and a whirlpool.

After the tour, the Adventure Team stopped at a picnic area for snacks, did some gem mining and dug for fossils.

Natural Stone Bridge and Caves also has a Caveman Adventure Park with a rock-climbing wall, a disc golf course, a snack bar, a butterfly garden, a gift shop and a rock shop. The park is open from mid-May through mid-October and reopens in the winter for snowshoeing.