Construction of a campground and cabins will take place at Natural Tunnel throughout the 2009 camping season. Expect noise and dust near the campground. We apologize for the inconvenience. Refunds will not be given because of this condition.
GENERAL INFO: The state acquired the tunnel and 100 surrounding acres in 1967 from the Natural Tunnel Chasm and Caverns Corp. to establish Natural Tunnel State Park. Another 850l acres were later acquired, and the park opened in 1971. A modern meeting facility, the Cove Ridge Center, lies within the park. It came about thanks to a unique collaboration between the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Cove Ridge Foundation.
Natural Tunnel, called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan, has been attracting sightseers to the mountains of southwestern Virginia for more than 100 years. Today it is the focal point of Natural Tunnel State Park, a park which offers visitors not only spectacular sights but also swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking, a visitor center, an amphitheater and interpretive programs.
The creation of Natural Tunnel began more than a million years ago in the early glacial period when groundwater bearing carbonic acid percolated through crevices and slowly dissolved surrounding limestone and dolomite bedrock. Then, what is now Stock Creek was probably diverted underground to continue carving the tunnel slowly over many centuries. The walls of the tunnel show evidence of prehistoric life, and many fossils can be found in the creek bed and on tunnel walls.
AT-A-GLANCE: The pictographs directly below show park offerings. Click on those of interest or read below for more detail. Mouse-over the image for a short text description or click here to view a legend in which each pictograph's meaning is expressed.
LOCATION: Natural
Tunnel State Park is in Scott County, about 13 miles north of Gate City and
20 miles north of Kingsport, Tenn.. To get there, from I-81, take U.S. 23
North to Gate City (about 20 miles). The turn-off to the park is at mile marker 17.4 on Rt. 23. Take Natural Tunnel Parkway about one
mile east to park entrance.
Drive Time: Northern Virginia, eight hours; Richmond, six hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, eight to nine hours; Roanoke, three and a half hours
Click here for a Google Map.
PARK MAP: Click here (PDF) .
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Camping and group camping. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
Because of construction, group camping is not currently available at this park.
Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.
Total sites of each type: EW: 18; Tent Std: 4
Site type: Shaded and unshaded sites.
EW - Electric and Water Hookup Sites; various equipment. RVs up to 38 feet; accepts outlets for 20 and 30 amp current. Gravel pull-through and grassy area on each site with electric and water and hookups. Also picnic table and grill on each site. Partially shaded.
Tent Std - Tents only. No hookups. Lantern post, table, grill and tent pad. Shaded.
SWIMMING: Complex includes a 5,400-square-foot pool, a large bathhouse, and a snack bar in the concession building. The pool opens daily Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Click here for park fees. The pool is closed Monday through Friday during the last two weeks of August. In the summer, swimming is free for overnight guests in campsites, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
TRAILS: Hiking, mountain bike and self-guided trails - Natural Tunnel State Park offers seven walking trails, the longest one being 1.1 miles long. These trails lead to the unique features of the park: the tunnel floor, Lover’s Leap, Tunnel Hill and Gorge Ridge. A 500-foot boardwalk and observation deck provide accessibility to guests with disabilities; they may take a chairlift to the mouth of the tunnel via chairlift when it's operational. Most trails are open to mountain bikes with bike rentals available at the campground host campsite.
FISHING, BOATING: The Clinch River and several trout streams are nearby.
HUNTING: Nearby Jefferson National Forest has several areas open to public hunting.
HORSES: Throughout the year, the Scott County Regional Horse Association sponsors shows at the Scott County Horse Park, which is about 15 miles from the park.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: The visitor center is open daily, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on weekends, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It's open on weekends from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in April, May, September and October. Except for a Christmas lighting, the center closes after the last weekend in October. Visitors are provided with information on the park and its programs along with the surrounding area’s attractions. The facility has restrooms available for public use. You'll also find a gift shop and exhibits on the history and geology of the park there.
The Wilderness Road Blockhouse and visitor center illustrate the role the blockhouse played in the 1700s during westward expansion of the nation. Hours vary so please call the park for specific dates and times. The park lies along the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail driving tour; click here for more information about the tour.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Weather and river conditions permitting, guided canoe trips of the Clinch River are offered on Saturdays and Sundays in season. Trips to Natural Tunnel via Stock Creek are offered throughout summer. Groups of eight or more may schedule tours at other times. Reservations are required for these programs - call the park at (276) 940-1643 to make a reservation or for more information. Guided wildflower walks are offered in mid-April; guided bird watching hikes are offered in mid-May. Guided walks, campfire get-togethers, astronomy programs and various kids activities are also offered. For a schedule of interpretive events, see www.naturaltunnel.info, email naturaltunnel@dcr.virginia.gov or call. Candlelight Series at Cove Ridge, monthly, January - April. Run the Tunnel, late April. Pickin' in the Park, select Sundays, June - August. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
Note: Because some bats in Virginia have been found to have White Nose Syndrome, Wild Cave Tours will not be offered at the park during the 2009 summer season. The program is being suspended to protect the bats. Click here to learn more about the disease.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: The park houses the Cove Ridge Center, a year-round day-use/overnight educational resource facility that incorporates educational principles and concepts within a natural resource environment. The center, which accommodates up to 100 for meetings and 48 overnight guests, features an auditorium, classroom, catering kitchen, resource library (complete with Internet access), observation deck, audiovisual equipment, great room with stone fireplace, dorm, after-hours swimming (in season and by reservation) and environmental education equipment.
Also be sure to visit Scott County's homepage.
PICNIC SHELTERS: Natural Tunnel State Park has five picnic shelters - three small and two large - for rent. They can be rented from 8 a.m. - dusk (all day). The shelters are available from March 1 - Nov. 30. Parking and swimming fees are not included in shelter rental (see above for details). Click here for park fees.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.
Shelter 1 (small): This shelter accommodates up to 40. It's about 225 feet from the parking area and 500 feet from the nearest restroom and is not well suited for handicapped customers. It includes eight 6-foot tables, a 36 by 36-inch grill, a water fountain and an electrical outlet.
Shelter 2 (small): This shelter accommodates up to 40 and is well suited for kids as it's just over 300 feet away from the playground. It's about 150 feet from the parking area and 275 feet from the nearest restroom. It includes eight 6-foot tables, a 36 by 36-inch grill, a water fountain and an electrical outlet.
Shelter 3 (large - 30 by 40 feet): This shelter, which overlooks the valley, accommodates up to 100. It features horseshoe pits, swings nearby, portable toilet units, a water fountain-spigot, electrical outlets, 16 six-foot picnic tables, a deck with another six tables and a 36 by 36-inch grill. People and supplies can be ferried to and from the parking lot, which is about 150 feet away, however cars must afterwards return to the parking lot.
Shelter 4 (small): This shelter, well suited for the handicapped and built by the Manville Ruritan Club, comfortably accommodates up to 30. It features fixed tables designed for wheelchair accessibility. It's about 160 feet from the playground, 50 feet from the parking lot and 20 feet from the restroom. It includes a 36 by 36-inch grill.
Shelter 5 (large - 30 by 60 feet): This shelter, the park's largest, was built by the Duffield Lions Club and accommodates up to 150. There are 20 six-foot picnic tables, two "Texas style" grills, horseshoe pits, a water fountain, electrical outlets, a sand volleyball court and a 230-foot paved walkway, easing accessibility. It's 280 feet from the parking area, 230 feet from the volleyball court, 180 feet from the restroom and 390 feet from the playground. Caterers may use the shelter's back entrance but must arrange for such access with park staff beforehand.
Amphitheater - Located near the picnic area, the park’s amphitheater offers seating for approximately 4,000 people. The facility is ideal for many of the park’s interpretive programs and hosts a variety of musical programs throughout the year. Groups may reserve the amphitheater for a fee by calling the park at (276) 940-2674.
Chairlift - The Virginia State Park system has only one chairlift, and you'll find it at Natural Tunnel State Park. The lift runs seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. It also runs on weekends from the first weekend in May through the last full weekend of October.
CONCESSIONS: Operate seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend to August 22, then on the following weekend. This includes a pool swimming and a snack bar. The snack bar serves short orders, operates during normal pool hours and offers several tables. Mountain bike rentals are available at the campground host campsite.
LAUNDRY: The closest Laundromat is in Duffield, five miles from park.
RESTAURANT: None in the park; the nearest grocery store is in Duffield, about five miles from the park. Fast food restaurants are there as well.
HISTORY: Daniel Boone was probably among the first men of European descent to see the tunnel in that the tunnel lies along the original route he took westward. However, no one wrote of it until Lt. Col. Stephen H. Long explored the site in 1831 and published an article in a geology journal in 1832. The areas near the tunnel were mined for saltpeter during the Civil War. In 1890 the South Atlantic and Ohio Railroad arrived and, making use of the natural formation, laid tracks through the tunnel. In 1906 Southern Railway acquired the tracks and created a passenger line, the Natural Tunnel Line, which went through the tunnel. Large coal deposits were discovered in the area shortly thereafter, and although they no longer carry passengers, trains continue to this day to carry coal through Natural Tunnel.
