News, Events & links

Upcoming special events

Open Registration Events this Fall: Contact whichever of these Parks and Rec. Depts. is most convenient for you to sign up for these open-registration events:  Harrisonburg City, Rockingham County, Staunton City, Greene County, or Shenandoah County.

  • Sat., July 11 (8:30 AM -noon): Intermediate Wild Caving near Bridgewater VA; this is a wild caving trip for individuals who have been on a WGA Beginner Caving trip in the past, and are ready to go a little more strenuous and adventurous; ages 12 through adult (teens may attend unaccompanied, but their transportation must be provided by a parent or guardian); all technical gear is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.

  • Sat. July 25 (9 AM – 4 PM):  Campcraft and Outdoor Survival Skills; a full day in the George Washington Ntl. Forest learning fire-building, shelter construction, and some back-country navigation skills; useful for hunters, day-hikers and backpackers, mountain bikers, and anyone else who likes to wander off the beaten path.  For ages 14 through adult (Teens may attend unaccompanied, but their transportation must be provided by a parent or guardian).  After registration, WILD GUYde Adventures will supply a What to Bring list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup.

  • Sat. Aug. 1 (8:30 AM – noon): Parent-Kid Beginner Wild Caving near Bridgewater VA; a morning of learning basic caving safety, underground navigation, and some elementary limestone geology; children ages 7-11, and accompanied by a parent/guardian; all technical gear is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration. 

For Seniors 50 and older/wiser: The events below are paced and scaled to be age-appropriate.  They do not require super-athletic ability, but participants should be reasonably active, without significant movement limitations (significant overweightedness or low fitness, mobility or musculo-skeletal restrictions).  We will enjoy being together in the outdoors, and we will not be comparing ourselves to twenty-somethings! Participating Parks and Rec. Depts. to register with include Augusta County, Harrisonburg, Staunton, Rockingham County, Shenandoah County, Orange County and Greene County.

Benefits to jumping aboard:

  • spending time in our gorgeous and local outdoors;
  • being with others who like movement and fun;
  • adding to your learning about outdoor safety and activity skills;
  • and possibly some new clothing! Participate in 3 or more of these Senior Adventures during 2026 and receive the WILD GUYde Adventures 2026 OLD MOUNTAIN GOAT* t-shirt, along with all the rights, privileges, and adulation pertaining thereto!

(*Gets Out And Tries Stuff!)

  • Fri., July 17 (2 – 5 PM): Paddling at Lake Shenandoah or Switzer Dam in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; an afternoon session to learn basic paddle-strokes, partnering, and boat-handling skills (canoe and kayak) on flatwater, and enjoy some peaceful paddling in this beautiful setting.  Bring and enjoy your bag lunch on the lake-bank afterwards.  All technical gear and instruction is provided; a personal suggested clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.

  • Tues., Aug. 18 (1 – 5 PM): Backcountry Navigation Clinic:  An afternoon of learning and practicing map and compass skills out in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; for day-hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, hunters, scout leaders, and anyone else who likes to wander off the beaten path.  A personal clothing list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be provided by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.

 

 

 

contact some of our fine friends for…

outdoor gear

other things to do

  • Harrisonburg Rockingham Chamber of Commerce in Harrisonburg, VA at www.HRChamber.org (540-434-3862)
  • Harrisonburg Tourism and Visitors’ Services in Harrisonburg, VA at www.visitharrisonburgva.com (540-432-8940)
  • Shenandoah Valley Travel Association www.VisitShenandoah.org (800-847-4878)
  • Luray Visitors’ Center and Page County Chamber of Commerce in Luray, VA (540-743-3915)
  • Peak Experiences Indoor Rock Climbing for rainy days in Richmond VA, visit Jay and Neil and staff at www.peakexperiences.com (804-897-6800)
  • Get yourself prepped or renewed with your Wilderness First Aid skills with our friends at Medic Solo at their website.

Environmental Care Connections

  • Friends of Shenandoah Mountain, proposing federal protections for Shenandoah Mountain and its related drainage basins www.friendsofshenandoahmountain.org
  • WILD VIRGINA, advocating for natural protections in the George Washington National Forest www.wildvirginia.org (434-971-1553)
  • The Access Fund, advocating for environmental care and continued access to America’s climbing areas www.accessfund.org (888-8ME-MBER)
  • The Shenandoah National Park Trust, the official philanthropic partner of Shenandoah National Park www.snptrust.org/

lodging in the harrisonburg, VA Area

  • Trip Forth: Premium vacation rental properties on Massanutten Mountain, and comprehensive trip planning services for your stay. https://www.tripforth.com/ (888-811-7850)
  • Contact Vicki at the Waynesboro North 340 Campground for year-round camping with all the amenities at www.waynesboron340campground.com
    (540-943-9573)
  • Call Monica and John at Harrisonburg/Shenandoah Valley KOA Campground (year-round camping, with hot showers) at www.koa.com/where/va/46140 (540-896-8929 or 800-562-5406)
  • Call Marjorie, Duke, Tina or Paula at Shenandoah Valley Campground in Verona (April 1 – Nov. 6; pool, mini-golf, fishing, river fun, and more) at www.CampingisFun.com (800-310-2580)
  • Hone Quarry (year-round), Todd Lake (opens May 15), and North River USFS Campgrounds in the George Washington National Forest, west of Harrisonburg (seasonal, limited amenities, CHEAP!)
  • Camp Horizons (540-896-7600), Camp Overlook (540-269-2267), Massanetta Springs Camp and conference center (540-434-3829), or Camp Brethren Woods (540-269-2741) for camping and cabin and bunkhouse lodging in the Shenandoah Valley
  • Natural Chimneys Regional Park Campground (April 1 – Oct. 30) at 540-245-5727 (office) or 540-350-2510 (park phone – seasonal)
  • Stokesville Campground (March through Thanksgiving) 540-324-8281 http://stokesvillecampground.com/
  • Rivers Edge Campground, In Bergton VA (540-908-6576) campriversedgeva.com

lodging in the Luray, VA area

Lodging Near Franklin, Smoke Hole, & Seneca Rocks in West Virginia

  • Thorn Spring 4H Camp (call Jeff at 304-358-7737) for group lodging (campground and heated bunkhouse) near Franklin WV

  • Brandywine (May 1 – Dec. 15) and Seneca Shadows USFS Campgrounds near Brandywine WV and Seneca Rocks WV, respectively (seasonal and inexpensive)

  • NROCKS, near Circleville, WV, home of the Via Ferrata and Treetop Canopy Tour (lodge, cabins, and group camping) www.nrocks.com (877-435-4842)

  • Mountain Springs Motel (304-358-2331) and the Franklin Inn/Fox’s Pizza Den (304-358-2118) in Franklin WV (inexpensive motel lodging; NO websites) info@mountainspringsmotelfranklin.com

  • Franklin Inn (304-358-7654)
  • Brandywine Motel and Trailer Court (304-249-5136)
  • Star Hotel and Restaurant (304-358-3580)
  • Lodestar Mtn Inn: Group lodging above Smoke Hole Canyon (800-729-2239)