Tourism

Tourism is up nearly 60 percent at Natural Chimneys in Augusta County.

This could be the best year the park has had in the last three years.

Park officials say word of mouth is probably a big reason for the increase.

This winter they reorganized the maintenance program, renovated portions of the campgrounds and improved the pool.

"We've had almost a 30 percent increase in our local campers use which means we're keeping them here. Instead of going out of the area to spend some of their leisure time they're staying in Augusta and Rockingham counties and camping with us," says David Leatherwood with the Upper Valley Park Authority.

The more visitors the park gets, the more dollars are pumped into the local economy.