Climbing, caving and high ropes: a day of adventure near Roanoke
How Wilderness Adventure Day works: guided climbing, caving and ropes, bike and boat rentals, what to wear and how to book.
Not everyone can come for a week of summer camp. Wilderness Adventure Day packs some of the best of it into one afternoon: guided rock climbing, caving or a high ropes tour, or a mountain bike, tube or boat to take out on your own. It's a good way for families, friends and groups to try something new without planning a whole trip.
How the day works
Adventure activities run from 1pm to 6pm. Come early for lunch from 11:30am, and stay for dinner from 6pm to 8pm. Beer and wine are served after the adventure activities, not before. Prices for every activity are on the Adventure Day page.
The guided activities
Each guided session is run by our instructors and limited to 10 people, so everyone gets time on the rock, in the cave or up in the trees.
- Rock climbing. Guided outdoor climbing on real rock. You don't need any experience: the instructors provide the gear and teach you what you need to know.
- Caving. A guided underground adventure. Expect to get muddy, and expect to talk about it all the way home.
- High ropes tour. The Giant Swing, the Leap of Faith, the Catwalk and more. The Giant Swing is a 30-foot drop, and a favorite with thrill-seekers.
Or go at your own pace
If you'd rather explore on your own, rent a mountain bike for a half or full day, or take a tube, kayak or canoe out on Craig Creek. A shuttle is included with every water rental. Our guide to Craig Creek explains how the creek changes through the year.
There's plenty to do between sessions too: the 18-hole disc golf course, the beach volleyball court and more than 10 miles of trails across the property. See everything on our activities and rentals page.
Which activity should you choose?
If your group can't decide, think about what each person wants from the afternoon:
- For a big view and a sense of achievement, choose rock climbing. Reaching the top of a route is a moment people remember.
- For something completely different, choose caving. Few people have been underground with a headlamp, and it's a great leveler: nobody looks cool in a muddy cave, and nobody cares.
- For the biggest thrill, choose the high ropes tour. The Giant Swing and the Leap of Faith are as much about nerve as strength.
- For a relaxed afternoon, grab a tube or a kayak and let the creek do the work.
If you'd like to try more than one, call the office and ask what's possible on the day.
Who it's for
Adventure Day works for a family with older kids, a group of friends, a club outing or a team that wants a day out of the office. Most adventure activities need participants to be between 50 and 250 lbs, so check that everyone in your group fits before you book. If you're planning for a bigger group, our group retreats page has more options, and our guide to planning a group retreat walks through the details.
What to wear and bring
- Closed-toe shoes. Sneakers or hiking shoes, not sandals or flip-flops.
- Clothes you don't mind getting wet or dirty. Caving and the creek both leave their mark.
- A layer for the evening. Mountain evenings cool off quickly, even in summer.
- A water bottle and sun protection. Most of the afternoon is spent outside.
- A change of clothes. You'll want something dry for dinner.
Book ahead
Guided sessions are small and often fill up, so reserve your spot before you come. Call the office at 540-864-6792 or send us a message, and tell us which activities you're interested in and how many people are coming.
Make a weekend of it
Rather not drive home after dinner? Stay in a lodge room, a cabin or a campsite on the property, and spend the next morning on the trails or the creek. Everything you need is on our camping and lodging page. If you'd like a private session on real rock for your family or group, see private rock climbing.
