This Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Parks are encouraging people to ‘opt out’ of the shopping and chaos and ‘opt outside’ instead.

If you’re looking for more family-friendly Halloween events this weekend, Natural Bridge State Park has you covered.

Virginia Safari Park is saying hello to two baby rhinos that were just born, just in time for World Rhino Week!

Natural Bridge Zoo’s former owners will appear in court on Monday afternoon for continued post-trial motions, following a decision in March that found the state was justified in seizing 71 of the 100 animals they took during a search last December.

10 News was sent pictures from campers at the Jellystone Campground in Natural Bridge showing storm damage.

The Natural Bridge Zoo has announced that it is now under new ownership and management.

Day two of Natural Bridge Zoo’s jury trial is underway after the state raided the zoo and seized nearly 100 animals in December.

The trial to determine the fate of the animals seized from Natural Bridge Zoo began on Monday with jury selection.

The Lexington-Rockbridge General District Court made a ruling Thursday on the unresolved opinions and appeals in the Natural Bridge Zoo case.

The Natural Bridge Zoo case court hearing has been postponed to Tuesday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m., due to the defense attorney being sick with COVID-19.

According to the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office, the dog has been found.

Natural Bridge Zoo owners appeared in court for the first time following an investigative search that resulted in the seizure of just under 100 animals about two weeks ago.

A federal judge has denied an injunction filed by the owners of Natural Bridge Zoo, and they are still set to appear in Rockbridge County court on Wednesday.

The fate of Natural Bridge Zoo is still up in the air, as the zoo is set to face a seizure hearing on Wednesday, but the zoo’s attorney has filed for an injunction. A federal judge heard the argument on Monday but still hasn’t made a decision about whether court will go on on Wednesday.

A status conference has been set for Dec. 18 in federal court, after Natural Bridge Zoo attorney Mario Williams filed for an injunction, and new court documents detail more on zoo animals living environments.

The lawyer of the Natural Bridge Zoo owners has filed an injunction in an effort to delay their court hearing.

Hear what community members have to say about the raid at Natural Bridge Zoo.

10 News was able to obtain court documents Friday about the search at the Natural Bridge Zoo.

Gretchen Mogensen with the Natural Bridge Zoo was there when the search warrant was executed and when Zeus the tiger was put down.

A tiger at the Natural Bridge Zoo was euthanized during state police’s search, according to Attorney Mario Williams.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund focuses on protecting the lives of animals using the legal system.

According to Virginia State Police, the search at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County has come to an end.

With forecasted rain for Tuesday, crews are optimistic of it helping to contain the Matts Creek wildfire.

Crews working around the clock to contain the Matts Creek wildfire.

A man is dead after a single motorcycle crash on the Blue Ridge Parkway Saturday, according to the National Park Service.

In mid-June 2023, Virginia paid off the financing that allowed the Commonwealth to obtain Natural Bridge. That will eventually lead to more improvements at the state park.

While most Americans sat back to watch the Bengals and Rams duke it out at the Super Bowl, not all first responders had the day off.

Megan asks a couple of locals what is on their Virginia bucket list.

Natural nighttime darkness is disappearing, making stargazing more difficult. International Dark Sky designation recognizes areas and organizations working to maintain spaces where the public can see stars more easily.

If you’re a fan of the outdoors and history, we have the perfect spot for you. This local natural wonder is where many couples say, “I do.”

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – A stunning natural landmark is putting Rockbridge County on the map. Natural Bridge State Park and the iconic natural bridge will be featured on the fall cover of the 2021 Virginia Travel Guide. The local tourism marketing director, Patty Williams, said they were thrilled to hear about the honor and that this kind of attention will draw in visitors. And once they’re here they’re going to love the natural beauty and want to see more of it,” said Williams, the director of marketing for Rockbridge Regional Tourism. She also said restaurants, shops and other attractions will likely get a boost too.

NATURAL BRIDGE – A curious cat got more than it bargained for after it got stuck in a tree on a branch 30 feet off the ground. Thankfully, the local fire department still makes cat rescues, which is now uncommon among other rescue organizations. Firefighters got out their ladder truck and sent firefighter Sheldon Snead up the ladder. He says he is no stranger to heights, but this was the first time he had been sent up to rescue a cat. With the cat tucked under his arm, Snead carried it back down to safety.

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. – One small cat gets to live another day thanks to a few volunteer firefighters. On Wednesday, the Glasgow Volunteer Fire Department responded to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Campground to get a cat out of a tree. Crews arrived and within minutes brought the cat to safety.

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. – The Virginia Safari Park is contributing more money to conservation programs, thanks to big success in 2020. Along with its sister zoos, the Safari Park donated $50,000 to conservation programs worldwide last year. The drive-thru style zoo in Natural Bridge saw huge numbers of guests during the pandemic, allowing them to contribute more to these causes than they ever have. Mogensen said decreased tourism because of the pandemic led to more poaching, making the work of conservation programs more important than ever. Click here to learn more about the Safari Park.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – The soggy start to 2021 didn’t prevent some Virginians from keeping a favorite tradition. National forests and state parks across the country offer First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day. Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County typically hosts guided tours; however, because of the pandemic, they had self-guided ones and a scavenger hunt. Workers said although the crowd was smaller this year, it’s a symbolic way to start the year off on the right foot. Jackson said many people took advantage of the outdoors in 2020 and he hopes it continues this year.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. Deputies are searching for the man who robbed a gas station Friday night, about 2 miles away from Natural Bridge State Park. Shortly before 11 p.m., someone call 911 about an armed robbery at the Exxon on South Lee Highway in Natural Bridge,The robber is about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, according to authorities. Deputies and a Virginia State Police trooper searched the area and are following up on leads. Anyone with information about what happened is asked to call the Rockbridge County Sheriffs Office at 540-463-7328.

Gene Anderson and his friend arrived at the Pink Cadillac Diner just off Interstate 81 in Natural Bridge to try its ‘Elvis Burger.’ However, the restaurant was mysteriously closed when they got there. For those unfamiliar with the Pink Cadillac Diner’s signature burger, it’s a half-pound, double-decker burger with lettuce, tomato and the diner’s own sauce. The Pink Cadillac Diner is closed tomorrow, Wednesday July 29 and May never reopen. “Making the Elvis burgers for those guys just made me think, ‘No, we’re going to reopen,’” Torrence said. “I’m actually sort of a vegetarian, or try to be, but you can’t pass up an Elvis burger.

AMHERST COUNTY, Va. - Crews are battling a blaze in the Jefferson National Forest. The fire was first reported Friday at 10:30 a.m. and is now about 20 acres. The fire is located south of U.S. 501 and the James River within the James River Face Wilderness on the Jefferson National Forest. About 20 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service are currently working on the fire, along with one heavy helicopter. The fire has caused the following closures:A 10-mile section of the Appalachian Trail (Trail #1) from US-501 at the James River Foot Bridge south to Petites Gap Road (Road #35)The James River Foot Bridge parking areaMatts Creek Trail (Old A.T., no current trail number)Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.