{{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 A regional park is an area of land preserved on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, recreational use or other reason, and under the administration of a form of local government.
Definition
A regional park can be a special park distri ...
Augusta County
Augusta County is a county in the Shenandoah Valley on the western edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The second-largest county of Virginia by total area, it completely surrounds the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Its county ...
,
Virginia
Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...
, nearest_city =
, area =
, created =
, operator = 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 Mt. Solon in
Augusta County, Virginia
Augusta County is a county in the Shenandoah Valley on the western edge of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The second-largest county of Virginia by total area, it completely surrounds the independent cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Its county ...
in the United States, in the
Shenandoah Valley
The Shenandoah Valley () is a geographic valley and cultural region of western Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The valley is bounded to the east by the Blue Ridge Mountains, to the west by the eastern front of the Ridge- ...
. 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
Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...
that began to accumulate and harden into stone about 500 million years ago in the
Paleozoic Era
The Paleozoic (or Palaeozoic) Era is the earliest of three geologic eras of the Phanerozoic Eon.
The name ''Paleozoic'' ( ;) was coined by the British geologist Adam Sedgwick in 1838
by combining the Greek words ''palaiós'' (, "old") and ' ...
, when the region was underwater. Over time, enormous upward pressures of magma and widespread geologic upheaval, which created the
Appalachian Mountains
The Appalachian Mountains, often called the Appalachians, (french: Appalaches), are a system of mountains in eastern to northeastern North America. The Appalachians first formed roughly 480 million years ago during the Ordovician Period. They ...
, combined with erosive forces of water and destroyed weaker layers of stone. Eventually, this created the rock chimneys which can be seen today.{{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
The park, located along the North River, has a 145-site campground with a pool, playground, and hiking trails. The park also hosts one of the largest
jousting
Jousting is a martial game or hastilude between two horse riders wielding lances with blunted tips, often as part of a tournament (medieval), tournament. The primary aim was to replicate a clash of heavy cavalry, with each participant trying t ...
tournaments in the eastern United States. The tournament is held on the third Saturday of August, and has taken place annually since 1821.Information signs at the park Augusta County owns the property and maintains the facility.
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