Far Southwest Virginia is known for its rugged natural beauty, and it offers unique characteristics not found in other parts of our state. This corner of our state is not only geographically diverse, but also has genuine mountain culture.

Virginia Tourism said "The Appalachian culture is an authentic and distinctive part of Virginia, and this region is the best place to experience it."

There are a handful of notable state parks in the Heart of Appalachia, we'll showcase these focusing on geology, wild frontier life, and a mining boom and bust. We hope you can visit this incredibly scenic part of our state soon.

1. | GEOLOGY: NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building (a short hike to see it from the top)

Walk or chairlift down to the base of the tunnel, you might even Norfolk Southern Trains pass 

More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop.

You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area, a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River, as well as the Cove Ridge Center, which offers environmental education, conference facilities and overnight dorm accommodations. 

• 07/12/2018 - Wild Cave Tour: Natural Tunnel Cavern
• 07/12/2018 - Into the Night Hike
• 07/13//2018 - Cherokee Run: Canoe Trip
• 07/13/2018 - Outdoor Skills
• More events at this park

A guest favorite event at this park is Railroad Day held this year on July 21, 2018. You can walk into the naturally made tunnel via the railroad tracks. Norfolk Southern will have an engine on display, plus more here.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, eight hours; Richmond, six hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, eight to nine hours; Roanoke, three and a half hours; Knoxville, Tenn., one and a half hours; Winston-Salem, N.C., three hours; Lexington, Ky., two and a half hours.

Click here for hours of operation, special events, programs and more. Click here to learn more about overnight accommodations, or call 800-933-7275.

 

2. | FRONTIER LIFE: WILDERNESS ROAD STATE PARK

A frontierswoman over on an open flame

Experience life as it was on Virginia's frontier

Wilderness Road offers picnicking, hiking, and nature and living history programs. Visitors can enjoy the visitor center, home to a theater showing an award-winning docudrama, "Wilderness Road, Spirit of a Nation." The center also has a frontier museum and a gift shop with unique regional gifts.

The park features the reconstructed Martin's Station, an outdoor living history museum depicting life on Virginia's 1775 frontier. Guests also enjoy the park's picnic shelters, 100-seat amphitheater, nature play-scape, ADA-certified playground, sand volleyball court and horseshoe pits. Visitors can hike, bike or horseback ride on the 8.5-mile Wilderness Road Trail linking the park with more than 50 miles of trails in Cumberland Gap National Historical Park.

The 1870s era mansion is available for weddings and meetings. It has a solarium that's perfect for showers, birthdays and other special functions. The park's visitor center theater and amphitheater also are available for group functions.

• 07/14/2018 To 07/15/2018 - The Woman Warrior - Bearing the burden of a Revolution
• 07/14/2018 - Alarm at Martin's Station
• 07/16/2018 To 07/20/2018 - Junior Adventure Rangers Week 2
• 07/28/2018 - A Shot of Vengeance Artillery Demonstration
• More events at this park.

A guest favorite event at this park is the Wilderness Road Heritage Festival that highlights Appalachian crafts and heritage in food, music and demonstrations, along with Martin's Station Fall Encampment that features an 18th century market and meet historical figures and skilled colonial tradesmen October 12-14, 2018. 

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, 10 hours; Richmond, eight hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 11 hours; Roanoke, five hours.

Click here for hours of operation, special events, programs and more.

 

3. | MINING BOOM AND BUST: SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM STATE PARK

Southwest Virginia Museum in an 1890s Victorian stone mansion set among beautiful gardens

See exhibits that depict life in these mountains of Southwest Virginia

Located in Big Stone Gap this National Historic Landmark, the Southwest Virginia Museum is in an 1890s Victorian stone mansion with original oak interior. The museum's collection includes more than 25,000 pieces and state of the art exhibits telling the story of the exploration and development of Southwest Virginia from the pioneer era of the 1700s to the mining "boom and bust" era of the late 1800s. The museum also offers many interpretive and special events.

The museum displays rotating and outreach exhibits throughout the year. Archival services, including a new virtual exhibit room, also are available.

The gift shop features unique items representative of the area's history and crafts made by regional artisans. The park offers facilities for meetings, weddings and other special occasions, and the charming Poplar Hill Cottage is available for overnight guests.

• 07/13/2018 - Lunch on the Lawn
• 07/16/2018 - Artisan Series
• 07/18/2018 To 07/19/2018 - Teacher Workshop
• More events at this park

A guest favorite event at this park is the Adventures in History bus tours. The next one is a visit to the Hungry Mother Festival on July 21, 2018, then Forts of the Clinch on August 18, 2018. Call the park for more details at 275-523-1322 or email here.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, 9 hours; Richmond, 7 hours; Virginia Beach/Tidewater, 9 hours; Roanoke, 4 hours; Knoxville, Tenn., 2 hours; Lexington, Ky., 2.5 hours; Winston-Salem, N.C., 3 hours.

Click here for hours of operation, special events, programs and more.

Check out the towns and counties that make this part of Virginia home here, and take a look at the Heart of Appalachia Tourist info page here to help plan your visit.

They boast music, crafts and outdoors which sounds a lot like what we like as well here at Virginia State Parks.