Creatures have roamed the lands of the New River Gorge for a very, very long time, all the way back to prehistoric times. Learn about life in this area over 10,000 years ago at this weekend’s National Fossil Day celebration. This is one of several ranger programs in parks. All ranger programs are FREE unless otherwise noted. Wear comfortable walking shoes for guided walks. Water, snacks, camera, and binoculars are other useful tools to bring along. Here is the schedule for this weekend’s ranger programs in area National Park Service sites.
Saturday, October 10, 2015:
National Fossil Day Celebration
10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Meet at Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Come and go as you please for informal talks about life long past in the New River Gorge. This hands-on paleontology and geology display will include life-sized skull replicas of prehistoric creatures like a giant short-faced bear, saber-tooth cat, Jeffersonian ground sloth (West Virginia’s state fossil), and more. See plant fossils and learn how prehistoric plants formed the area’s rich coal beds. Kids can even become a National Park Service Junior Paleontologist! This special celebration is a partnership between the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and Prehistoric West Virginia.
Bluestone Walk
10:00 am - 11:30 am. Meet at the base of Pipestem Resort State Park tramway. 2 mile walk. Walk within Bluestone National Scenic River for a mile and return. Along the way, enjoy the flora and fauna of the area and discover regional history. Bring $2.25 for the return tram ride.
Historic Thurmond Tour
11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor. 0.5 mile walk. What was life like in one of the New River Gorge’s most renowned towns? Meet a ranger in Thurmond’s historic district for an informal tour of this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.
Sunday, October 11, 2015:
Historic Thurmond Tour
11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Meet at the Thurmond Depot Visitor. 0.5 mile walk. What was life like in one of the New River Gorge’s most renowned towns? Meet a ranger in Thurmond’s historic district for an informal tour of this once bustling railroad town, hearing stories of days gone by.
For more information about area National Park Service sites visit: http://www.nps.gov/neri, http://www.facebook.com/
About the National Park Service
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA™
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. For more information about the National Park Service, visit http://www.nps.gov.
Photo caption: Skull replicas of a giant short-faced bear and saber-tooth cat. National Park Service photo.
Date and Time
Saturday Oct 10, 2015 Sunday Oct 11, 2015
