August 2008
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 during the time of Daniel Boone and the purpose of the Wilderness Road Blockhouse. The Blockhouse will be open 2-4pm Saturdays and Sundays May through October.

We are now accepting canoe reservations for the summer. Enjoy summer Saturday morning’s and warm Sunday afternoon’s canoeing along The Clinch River with Natural Tunnel Interpretive staff. Listen to stories about the raging Clinch River Flood back in 1977 and experience the views that Mother Nature has provided us. Reservations are required. $15/ person or for a group of 8 or more $12/ person. Trips on Saturdays start at 9am and Sunday trips start at 2pm; both meeting in the Visitor Center parking lot. Call (276) 940-1643 to reserve your spot today.

Ever wonder what happens in the Park at night? Hike around Natural Tunnel to see/hear what may be out there. Join us Saturday August 9th, 2008 at 8:30pm near the campground bathrooms for a Night Hike. Hiking shoes are required. No flip-flops please.

Come on down and support local musician Dan Perkins at “Pickin’ in the Park”
Sunday August 10th starting at 2pm located at the Amphitheater with in Natural Tunnel State Park. This program is supported by the Cultural Arts Council and the Cove Ridge Foundation. Think you have what it takes to perform? Try your hand at the open mic and jam session after the program. Admission is free, parking fee is $3 and there will be concessions available.

View the Natural Tunnel from the inside! Saturday August 16th at 2pm our Stock Creek Passage will take you on a hiking journey through the Natural Tunnel while you see how this 850 foot tunnel was formed. Meet in the Visitor Center parking lot. There will be some strenuous walking over rocks and the group will be hiking in Stock Creek. NO open toe shoes, backless shoes or flip-flops/crocks please. Bring a flashlight and a walking stick! The cost is $5 per person, call to reserve your spot today (276) 940-1643.

Experience the sights and sounds of Rye Cove during the Historical Fincastle Hayride August 16, 2008 at 8:00pm. The hayride will be departing form the Blockhouse parking lot. 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; pre-registration is required. Call (276) 940-1643 for more information.

Take a walk on the wild side with our interpretive staff for a Wild Cave Tour
Saturday August 23rd at 2pm located at Natural Tunnel State Park. This is your chance to see what is located under your feet. Explore passages, see a water fall, and cave formations. Reservations are required. Call (276) 940-1643 to make reservations or to get more information.

Park is open 8 am to dusk. Hiking trails, chairlift, pool, and Visitor Center are all open 7 days a week. Call the main office for hours of operation. To make reservations for our picnic shelters or the campground call 1-800-933-7275.
Spirits of the Cove Haunted Hayride

Volunteers
Natural Tunnel State Park is looking for volunteers to assist with the 2008 haunted hayrides. There will be a meeting on Thursday August 21, 2008 located at the Cove Ridge Center at 6pm. Areas that we are looking for help in are as follows: set design/construction, assistance with our scenes and others. For more information call (276) 940-1643.

Natural Tunnel State Park is looking for volunteers to assist with staffing our Visitor Center, Contact Station, Park Office, Cove Ridge Center, Interpretation, ect. during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. For more information on becoming a park volunteer contact Megan Krager at (276) 940-1643 or log on to www.virginiastateparks.gov to fill out an on-line application.

For more information on any of these programs call (276) 940-1643 or 940-2674
or log onto our web sites at www.virginiastateparks.gov and www.coveridge.com