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Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 23, 2024
Contact: Starr Anderson, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 540-460-1540, starr.anderson@dcr.virginia.gov

Natural Tunnel State Park hosts special day of programming on Oct. 26

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: CaveSim photo courtesy of Thomas Graves)

(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Natural Tunnel State Park)

DUFFIELD, Va. – Natural Tunnel State Park will host two unique events on Saturday, Oct. 26, offering a combination of adventure and cultural enrichment for visitors of all ages.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests can put their explorer skills to the test with CaveSim, a mobile cave system. After crawling through the 130-foot artificial cave passage, visitors can climb a 12-foot vertical caving tower or try their hand at a tight space with the squeezebox. This interactive experience teaches participants about safe caving practices, geology and cave ecosystems.

CaveSim will be set up in the picnic area and is free to explore.

Then, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., guests are invited to take the chairlift or hike down to the Natural Tunnel for Storytelling at the Tunnel led by highly acclaimed storytellers Dr. Hannah Harvey and Dr. Katie Hoffman. This event features spooky stories, celebrates the culture of the central Appalachian region and includes performances from forensic and drama students from Twin Springs, Rye Cove and Gate City high schools.

Storytelling at the Tunnel is presented by the Cultural Arts Council of the Cove Ridge Foundation. Parking is $5 per vehicle, and the chairlift fee is $5 per person for a round-trip ticket.

In addition to these special events, the park is offering regular educational programs, including Fang-tastic World of Snakes from noon to 1 p.m. at the visitor center, Brainy Birds from 2 to 3 p.m. at the camp store and Build-A-Creature from 5 to 6 p.m. at the visitor center.

For more information about these programs or to plan your visit, please contact Natural Tunnel State Park at 276-940-2674 or go to virginiastateparks.gov/natural-tunnel.

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Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit virginiastateparks.gov.

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