Natural Chimneys Park Campground, Mount Solon, VA

Date of Stay:  Saturday June 7- Saturday June 14, 2014 (7 nights)

Rate:  $202/week (they give weekly rates)

Website:  Natural Chimneys Park Campground
   94 Natural Chimneys Lane
   Mount Solon, VA 22843
   540-245-5727 or 540-350-2510 (seasonal)

Description:  Quite a bit off the beaten path of I-81, the cg has gravel roads with grassy sites.  Most are 30A with water at the site, but a few, like ours (site A11), have FHU 50A (extra cost).  Most sites are level since this is a valley.  Augusta County runs this park well.  When we arrived, we didn’t have electricity at the pedestal.  I went to the office (only open on weekends) to let the lady know.  She radioed the maintenance guy who was on site.  He tested it and replaced the breaker all in less than 30 minutes.  The main feature here is the Natural Chimneys, seven naturally formed towers of limestone jutting up from the valley floor.  It is also bordered by the small North River which often dries up during the summer.  There is a rustic bike path by the river and a well maintained hiking trail up the hill behind the Chimneys.  This Park is also home of the nation’s oldest continuously held sporting event, the Natural Chimneys Jousting Tournament.  The first joust was held in 1821.  They currently host two events a year, one in June and one in August.

Activities:  Great place for a morning jog to smell honeysuckle.  The Park is large enough to enjoy a bike ride too.  The weekends are crowded with the locals but that can be entertaining.  The two families across from us played some nice bluegrass music.  I think the two families behind us enjoyed themselves a lot too.  Even an ice cream truck came around on Saturday, and there was a hay ride that night also.  This place is empty and quiet during the week.  I love it!  I hiked the trail (about a mile) up the hill behind the Chimneys to the Overlook.  One day, Gin and I drove through Harrisonburg to get on Hwy 33 to ride south on Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park.  It was a very nice day for a picnic and we saw a black bear just a few feet off the road.  The area has some beautiful rolling hillsides and there are a lot of dairy farms here.  The ride on Hwy 42 is truly scenic.

Trash and Recycle:  There is a dumpster near the dump station at the exit for trash but no recycle.

 

Site A11

 

Park entrance                                             “Hey!” ride

 

Quiet during the week                                   Jousting area

 

The Natural Chimneys

  

There’s even a small cave at the base of one of them… cool!

  

I just love big rock formations!!

Trail to the Chimneys Overlook

 

Views from above the Chimneys

 

Beautiful countryside!

 

Mountain Laurel still blooming at an Overlook along Skyline Drive… Gin enjoying the view!

Black bear munching on Spring greenery