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, Orange County, or Shenandoah County.

  • Sat., Oct. 17 (9 AM – 5 PM): Beginner Rock Climbing in the George Washington Ntl. Forest; a full day of learning to climb and belay; 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., Nov. 7 (8:30 AM to noon): Beginner Wild Caving near Bridgewater VA; ages 12 through adult (teens may attend unaccompanied, but their transportation must be provided by a parent or guardian); a morning of learning basic caving safety, underground navigation, and some elementary limestone geology; 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.

or 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 Recreation Departments for Senior event registration are Harrisonburg, Staunton, Shenandoah County, Rockingham County, Greene County, Orange County, and Augusta County.

Benefits to jumping aboard:

  • spending time in our gorgeous and local outdoors;
  • meeting and 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 and receive the WILD GUYde Adventures OLD MOUNTAIN GOAT* t-shirt, along with all the rights, privileges, and adulation pertaining thereto!

(*Gets Out And Tries Stuff!)

Tues., Oct. 13 (9:30 am to noon): Talley Spicer from Wander and Wonder Co. will lead us to remains of the Pocosin Mission in Shenandoah Ntl.  Park.  Built in 1902, this was a part of the Episcopalian Church’s attempt to minister to rural mountain communities.    “Step into the quiet woods of Pocosin Mission and uncover the layered history hidden along the trail. This guided history hike explores the story of the mission community, the rugged mountain families who once called the area home, and the lasting impact of faith, resilience, and Appalachian culture in the region. Along the way, hikers will discover remnants of the past, hear true local stories, and gain a deeper understanding of life in the mountains during a very different era.”  There will also be an access fee to bring your vehicle on to Skyline Drive, or you may bring your Lifetime Pass.

Wed., Oct. 21 (1-5 PM): Hidden Rocks Trail Hike; an afternoon hike with stream crossings and rhododendron, to a beautiful rock cliff band in the George Washington Ntl. Forest, along with some learning about basic outdoor safety.  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.

Wed. Dec. 16 (1-4 PM): Indoor Climbing at the EMU Climbing Wall; an afternoon to explore the vertical world at a beginner level.  Learn how to harness up, belay, and try your hand at getting up off the ground on some moderate climbs; 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.

 

 

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)