imported>PVCCgeology: I corrected some sloppy generalisms about the formation of the towers with a more detailed geologic explanation. I also added a detail about the Red Wing Roots music festival, a major event that is held at the park.

2025-02-20T15:24:17Z

I corrected some sloppy generalisms about the formation of the towers with a more detailed geologic explanation. I also added a detail about the Red Wing Roots music festival, a major event that is held at the park.

New page

{{Infobox park
| name = Natural Chimneys
| photo = Natural_Chimneys_Cyclopean_Towers.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_caption =
| map = Virginia#USA
| map_size =
| map_caption = Location of Natural Chimneys within Virginia
| coords = {{coord|38.3579|-79.0760|type:landmark_region:US-VA|format=dms|display=title,inline}}
| type = [[Regional park]]
| location = [[Mount Solon, Virginia|Mt. Solon]]<br/>[[Augusta County, Virginia|Augusta County]], [[Virginia]]
| nearest_city =
| area = 
| created = 
| operator = [[Augusta County, Virginia|Augusta County Parks and Recreation]]
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| open = All year
| camp_sites = 145
| other_info =
}}
'''Natural Chimneys''', known as the '''Cyclopean Towers''' in the 19th century, is a natural rock structure located near [[Mount Solon, Virginia|Mt. Solon]] in [[Augusta County, Virginia]] in the United States, in the [[Shenandoah Valley]]. The formation is a central feature of a regional park owned and operated by Augusta County.

The formation includes seven rock "chimneys" that range in height from {{convert|65|to|120|ft}} above ground level. The chimneys are formed from [[limestone]] that began to accumulate and harden into stone about 500 million years ago in the [[Cambrian]] Period of the [[Paleozoic Era]], when the region was underwater. Over time, regional uplift accompanying the formation of the [[Appalachian Mountains]], raised the layers of limestone closer to the surface. Later, during the [[Eocene|Eocene epoch]], at thin seam of [[mafic]] magma intruded between layers of the [[Conococheague Formation]] to form a [[Sill (geology)|sill]]. Most recently, dissolution of the limestone by [[groundwater]] exploited vertical networks of fractures, at first forming [[Cave|caves]] and eventually [[Karst|solution valleys]] that separated the solid block of limestone into separate fins and "towers." Dissolution continues today, diminishing the bulk of the towers infinitesimally during each rainstorm.<ref name=AugustaCo_Geo>{{cite web |url=http://www.co.augusta.va.us/government/parks-recreation/parks-facilities/natural-chimneys/geological-historical-significance |title=Geological & Historical Significance |website=Natural Chimneys |publisher=Augusta County Parks and Recreation |accessdate=February 22, 2017}}</ref>

The park, located along the [[North River (South Fork Shenandoah River)|North River]], has a 145-site campground with a pool, playground, and hiking trails. The [[Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc|UTMB]] Grindstone Festival, an endurance running event including a [[100-mile race]], takes place at the park each fall. The park also hosts one of the largest [[jousting]] tournaments in the eastern United States. The tournament is held on the third Saturday of August, and has taken place annually since 1821. The tournament includes the historical sport of "[[running at the ring]]".<ref>Information signs at the park</ref> The [[The Steel Wheels#Red Wing Roots Music Festival|Red Wing Roots music festival]] is held annually at Natural Chimneys. Augusta County owns the property and maintains the facility.

== Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Natural Chimneys - 04.jpg|Natural Chimneys.
File:Natural Chimneys - 05.jpg|View from the top of Natural Chimneys.
File:Natural Chimneys Virginia.jpg|Natural Chimneys shot in January of 2021
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Natural Chimneys Regional Park}}
*[https://www.co.augusta.va.us/things-to-do/parks-ballfields-trails-and-more/natural-chimneys Augusta County Parks & Recreation: '''Natural Chimneys Regional Park''' website]

{{Protected areas of Virginia|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Landforms of Augusta County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Parks in Augusta County, Virginia]]
[[Category:Regional parks in Virginia]]
[[Category:Rock formations of the United States]]
[[Category:Virginia municipal and county parks]]

{{-}}
{{AugustaCountyVA-geo-stub}}
{{Virginia-protected-area-stub}}

Natural Chimneys - Revision history

imported>PVCCgeology: I corrected some sloppy generalisms about the formation of the towers with a more detailed geologic explanation. I also added a detail about the Red Wing Roots music festival, a major event that is held at the park.