Often times, people have a misconceived notion that after Labor Day all the summer fun is over. They start packing away all the summer clothes and toys. In some parts of the country that may be true but not here in Southwestern Virginia. There are still ample opportunities to enjoy the traditional summer activities at Natural Tunnel State Park. In fact, September is chock-full of these prospects. Here is just a glimpse of what you can do.

Fall is a beautiful time of year in the mountains of Southwestern Virginia

Wild Cave Tours

Experience the underground world of caves and caverns on a guided tour. View firsthand the unique formations and historical remains found in the park caves. There are two tours that vary in length and difficulty.

Caving programs are some of the most popular at the park

Natural Tunnel Cavern:

Natural Tunnel Cavern tour is a good cave tour for those less experienced or for younger groups. There is one crawl everyone must participate in that’s and 15 ft long.

This program takes place a couple Saturdays a month at 2:30p.m.
Trip length approximately 1½ hours.
Trips limited to 12.
Cost: $10 per person, $7 for groups of eight or more.

Bowling Cave:

The Bowling Cave tour is a tour that allows guests to see evidence of earlier cave explorers and inhabitants. This tour involves more effort and ability due to the crawls and small passages found within the cave. The hike to the cave is strenuous.

Departure time is 2 p.m. every other Saturday.
Trip length: two to three hours.
Trips limited to 15. For larger groups call the park for more information.  
Cost: $15 per person, $12 for groups of 10 or more.

Things to Know for Caving:

• A trained guide provides participants hard hats, kneepads, lights, gloves, and instruction. To ensure the quality of equipment, participants are required to use only park equipment.
•  It is recommended that participants wear old clothes and shoes, and plan to get dirty.
• The cave tours start in April and end in October.  
• All cave tours originate from the Stock Creek Interpretive Center and the park will transport participants to the caves.  
• To help ensure stability, participants in the programs may not wear sandals, flip flops or crocs.
• The minimum age is eight years old.
• No pets allowed.

The program provides opportunities to see the park from a different perspective

Please check with the park office or the Virginia State Park events database for specific dates.

Canoe and Kayak the Clinch:

Join us for a trip down the Clinch River. Guests will have the opportunity to explore and learn the rich history of the Clinch from when Native Americans and Longhunters lived along its banks to current day significance of the river. As one of the greatest hotspots for biodiversity in North America, the Clinch River in southwestern Virginia has more species of endangered and rare freshwater mussels than anywhere else in the world. This river is home to more than 120 species of fish and about 43 species of freshwater mussels, which are the most endangered group of animals in the United States.

Enjoy the Clinch River from a canoe

Cherokee Run (Canoe): Our traditional five and half mile run, begins at Hill Station and passes through a succession of riffles before entering a series of slower-moving pools. Herons, ducks, and kingfishers are just some of the birds usually encountered, along with occasional sightings of deer, muskrat, otters and other river inhabitants. Enjoy a snack, or take a refreshing dip in the river at the half way point. Although geared to the novice, more experienced canoeists without the time for one of the longer trips will find this run an excellent way to experience the Clinch River.

Departure time: 9:00 a.m. every other Saturday and at 2:30 or 3 p.m. every other Sunday.
Trip length: approximately 4 hours.
Cost: $15 per person; $12 per person for groups of 10 or more.

Boone’s Run (Kayak): Experience the countryside of Scott County from a view of a kayak. This six mile float will take guests along the slower moving stretch of the river. Several water fowl and aquatic life can be seen along this trip. Guides will point out some great fishing holes. Half way through the trip the group will stop for a short period of time to stretch and eat a quick snack. Towards the end of the trip, during low water levels, there is a class II rapid.

Floating the river is a great way to spend a September afternoon

Minimum age 13 years old.
Program takes place every other Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Trip length approximately 4 hours.
Cost: $15 per person.

Shawnee Run (Canoe): Beginning at historic Fort Blackmore, this seven mile float takes guests past Pendleton Island, Slant, and Starnes Bend before take-out at Hill Station. Rapid water at the start and finish frame a series of still pools that provide opportunity to observe wildlife and to practice paddling skills. A stop approximately half way through the trip gives participants a chance to stretch legs and have a snack.

Departure time: 9:00 a.m. every other Saturday.
Trip length: approximately 4 hours.
Cost: $15 per person; $12 per person for groups of 10 or more.

Pause your float long enough to take a dip in the river

Longhunters Run (Kayak): This nine mile float takes guests through some beautiful scenery on the way to the Virginia-Tennessee border. Most of this float is through slow moving water where guests will have the opportunity to view several scattered shoals along the trip. Half way through the trip the group will stop for a short period of time to stretch and eat a quick snack. Towards the end of the trip, during low water levels, there is a class II rapid.

Minimum age 13 years.
Program takes place every other Sunday at 9:30 a.m.
Trip length approximately 5 hours.
Cost: $25 per person.

Things to Know:

• Equipment will be provided by the park including canoe, sit-on-top kayaks, personal floatation devices (PFD)
• Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot 10 minutes prior to departure time.
• Paddling is required on all trips
• No flip-flops, sandals, or crocs.
• Scheduled trip times and dates vary.
• Programs start in May and runs through October with weather depending.

Please check with the park office or the Virginia State Park events database for specific dates.

Hayrides:

Fincastle Hayride: Take a step back in time as we travel along the historic Fincastle Turnpike. Here you will see the wonderful splendor of some of Rye Cove’s countryside with its rolling hills, grasslands, abundance of wildlife, and cactus. Enjoy an evening listening about some of the structures that remain standing from 100 years ago. Some of these structures include The Masonic Lodge, Brick Church, and much more.

Climb on the hay wagon and travel the Fincastle Turnpike

Trip length: 1 hour and 30 minutes or seven miles long. Please meet at the Blockhouse parking lot 10 minutes prior to departure.
This program is scheduled once a month on Saturday evenings May—October. Contact the park for trip times.
Hayrides Fees: $5 per person, $3 for Children 12 and under. Groups of 10 or more individuals may schedule a private hayride for a $75 fee.

Things to Know:

• Dress for the weather. Bring a sweater because it may become breezy.
• In order to get into the wagon, there are two steps individuals must use.
• Feel free to bring a camera to capture some of the beautiful sunsets across the mountains.
• Program starts the middle of April and concludes the end of October with weather depending.
• No pets allowed.
• The trip is limited to 20 adults and 6 children.

The ways to enjoy the park are endless even in September. Each of the listed trips helps participants to experience the uniqueness of the Natural Tunnel State Park. Due to the types of programs, each trip is limited in the number of participants. Pre-registration is required by calling (276) 940-2674. For information about all events in Virginia State Parks, click here.

The cabins in the park offer all the conveniences of home

Natural Tunnel State Park has two campgrounds and 10 cabins that make it a wonderful family-friendly weekend getaway. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-933-7275 or online. I hope to see you there.