Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 04, 2025
Contact: Starr Anderson, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 540-460-1540, starr.anderson@dcr.virginia.gov
Thistle Ridge Throwdown & Disc Golf Family Fling coming to Natural Bridge State Park
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Trail)
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Trail)
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Trail)
Natural Bridge, Va. - Natural Bridge State Park invites disc golf enthusiasts, nature lovers and families to take part in the Thistle Ridge Throwdown & Disc Golf Family Fling, a fun-filled day celebrating the sport of disc golf and the great outdoors.
The event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 28, at the park’s scenic Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Trail, an 18-hole disc golf course. The course, a mix of fields and woods, offers extensive views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and includes a managed pollinator habitat and environmentally friendly tee pads.
The Thistle Ridge Throwdown will feature a Professional Disc Golf Association Sanctioned C-Tier tournament. Meanwhile, the Family Fling offers a relaxed and welcoming environment with beginner-friendly rounds, instructional sessions and activities designed to get kids, families and new players excited about the game.
In addition to disc golf, visitors can enjoy live music, food vendors, a beer garden and more.
Event details
Tournament registration costs $35. Admission is free for spectators and visitors coming to the Family Fling.
The Thistle Ridge Disc Golf Trail is located at the Blue Ridge Trailhead. Parking for the tournament and the Family Fling will be at the caverns parking lot, a quarter of a mile past the course.
Visitors can drop off passengers at the Blue Ridge Trailhead parking lot before heading to the caverns parking lot for the shuttle. Please note that the caverns are closed for repairs and restoration.
For tournament registration and more information, please visit www.virginiastateparks.gov/events.
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Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks’ activities and amenities or to reserve one of the more than 1,800 campsites or 300 climate-controlled cabins, call the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
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