Natural Chimneys is a park and natural rock structure located near Mt. Solon in Augusta County, Virginia in the United States, in the Shenandoah Valley. The rock "chimneys" formed from limestone that began to accumulate and harden into stone about 500 million years ago in the Paleozoic Era, when the region was underwater. Over time, enormous upward pressures of magma and widespread geologic upheaval, which created the Appalachian Mountains, combined with erosive forces of water and destroyed weaker layers of stone. Eventually, this created the rock chimneys as seen today. The chimneys tower as much as 120 feet above ground level.
The park, located along the North River, has a 145-site campground with a pool, playground, and hiking trails. The park also hosts largest jousting tournaments the eastern United States. The tournament is held annually, on the third Saturday of August since 1821. Augusta County owns the property and maintains the facility.
Read more about Natural Chimneys: Gallery
Famous quotes containing the words natural and/or chimneys:
“Being natural is one of the most irritating poses I know in people.”
—Alexander Theroux (b. 1940)
“When my mother died I was very young,
And my father sold me while yet my tongue,
Could scarcely cry weep weep weep weep.
So your chimneys I sweep & in soot I sleep.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)