Serving Scott County for
More Than 104 Years!

Happenings at Natural Tunnel State Park

The chair lift and Visitor Center will be opened on weekends from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays  April through May. From Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend they will be opened seven days a week. Our pool will be open the weekend of May 19 and 20, 2007 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. and will open daily beginning Memorial Day weekend.

Experience what the great outdoors has to offer with programs at Natural Tunnel State Park. Enjoy a quiet afternoon canoeing with your family and friends, explore a wild cave, marvel at the views of Natural Tunnel from the inside while wading through Stock Creek, or learn about the rich history of our region on a relaxing hayride. Reservations are now being accepted for our 2007 season Canoe the Clinch, Wild Cave Tours, Stock Creek Passage and Fincastle Hayride adventures. Call the park at (276) 940-1643 for reservations and additional information.

Travel back in time as you interact with travelers and settlers from the 1790’s at the Wilderness Road Blockhouse. Learn what life was like in the time of Daniel Boone and the purpose of the Wilderness Road Blockhouse. The Blockhouse will be open 2-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays May through October.

Join a member of Natural Tunnel State Park interpretive staff for an evening of stargazing. An astronomy program is scheduled for the evening of Friday, May 18 beginning at 9 p.m. Participants are asked to meet in the upper parking lot of the Cove Ridge Center. Do not forget your jacket or sweat shirt.

The Running of the Tunnel Foot Race will be held on Saturday, May 19. Registration is at 7:45 a.m. and the official starting time is at 9 a.m. Everyone is invited to come on out. This event will begin in the picnic area.

The Cove Ridge Candlelight Series will conclude May 20 with the performance from Signature Strings. This group will be performing classical to contemporary musical selections with two violins and a cello. The program will be held at the Cove Ridge Center located within Natural Tunnel State Park. Program starts at 3 p.m. and ends around 5 p.m. Tickets are $8, students tickets are $4 at the door.

Come and explore Natural Tunnel at night May 26 as the park presents this year’s first Tunnel Lighting. Enjoy a seven minute chair lift ride down to the mouth of the Tunnel. Once at the Tunnel, experience the wonderful view that nature has made. Lighting of the Tunnel starts at 7 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. Round trip tickets are $3/person.

Experience the sights and sounds of Rye Cove during a Historical Fincastle Hayride May 26 at 5 p.m. Enjoy an hour and a half ride learning the history and geology of Rye Cove, including how the area received its name. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under, preregistration is required. Call (276) 940-1643 for more information.

The Overmountain Men Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution will plan to conduct a muster at the Blockhouse Sunday, May 27 at 2 p.m. The muster will include seven to twelve militia in period dress along with a drummer. Take a step back in time and experience close order drill and practice firing of the firelock. Muster will conclude around 4 p.m. Questions may be directed to jdstal@mounet.com.

Park is open 8 a.m. to dusk. Hiking trails and campground are open. To make reservations for our picnic shelters or the campground call 1-800-933-7275.

For more information on any of these programs call 940-1643 or 940-2674. Or visit their web sites at <www.dcr.state.vs.us> and <www.coveridge.com>.

 

 

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