News, Events & links
upcoming special events
Open Registration Events this spring and summer: Contact whichever of these Parks and Rec. Depts. is most convenient for you to register for these open-registration events: Harrisonburg City, Rockingham County, Staunton City, or Shenandoah County
- PCIA Top Rope Climbing Instructor (Outdoor) course and certification: March 17-19, 2024 or April 5-7, 2024 at Hidden Rocks in the George Washington Ntl. Forest near Harrisonburg VA. Visit here Top Rope Climbing Instructor Course – Wild Guyde Adventures LLC for details and to register.
-
Sat., June 29 (9 AM – 5 PM): Parent-Kid Beginner Rock Climbing and Rappelling in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; a full day of learning to climb, belay, and rappel; kids ages 7-11, with a parent accompanying; all technical gear is provided; a personal What to Bring list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.
-
Sat. July 13 (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. For ages 14 through adult, and useful for hunters, day-hikers and backpackers, mountain bikers, and anyone else who likes to wander off the beaten path! 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., July 27 (9 AM – 5 PM): Beginner Rock Climbing and Rappelling in the George Washington Ntl. Forest for Girls and Women (ages 10 and older); a full day of learning to climb, belay, and rappel; all technical gear is provided; a personal What to Bring list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration; girls older than 14 may attend unaccompanied, but families/parents will need to provide transportation.
-
Sat., Aug. 3 (9 AM – 5 PM): Intermediate Rock Climbing and Rappelling in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; If you have participated in one of our Beginner Rock Climbing days in the past or climb regularly at an indoor rock gym, this is a full day of climbing, belaying, and rappelling on some more challenging routes; 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 What to Bring list, Medical Form/Participant Agreement, and driving directions to the activity meetup will be supplied by WILD GUYde Adventures after registration.
contact some of our fine friends for…
outdoor gear
- Bobbie, Rich, and friends at Walkabout Outfitter on Court Square in Harrisonburg, VA (540-434-9900) https://www.walkaboutoutfitter.com/
- Gigi, Jack, Elyse, and Toby the Dog at Appalachian Trail Outfitters in Luray, VA (540-743-7400) or Elkton VA (540-713-9015) at https://www.appalachiantrailoutfitters.com/
- Kristy and crew at Wilderness Adventure in Staunton, VA at www.wildernessadv.com (540-885-3200)
- Our friends in Charlottesville at Great Outdoor Provision Company on Barracks Rd. https://greatoutdoorprovision.com (434-995-5669)
- Canoe, kayak, and tube rentals on the South Fork with Rodney and crew at Shenandoah River Adventures at www.shenandoahriveradventures.com (1-888-309-7222)
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 (540-324-8281) http://stokesvillecampground.com/
- Rivers Edge Campground, In Bergton VA (540-908-6576) campriversedgeva.com
lodging in the Luray, VA area
- Caroline Furnace Lutheran Camp (540-449-0012) https://www.carolinefurnace.org/
- Camp Jellystone (540-300-1697) https://campluray.com/
- Shadow Mountain Escape (540-843-0584) https://shadowmountainescape.com/
-
Skyline Hideaway (866-759-4433) https://www.cabins.com/usa/va/va_stanley_002/va_stanley_skyline_002.html
- Camp Roosevelt USFS Campground in the George Washington National Forest.
- Shenandoah River State Park (650-622-6840)
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) [email protected]
- 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)