Natural Tunnel State Park

Carter Log Cabin

This trail is an extension of the Tunnel Trail and is the connector along Stock Creek to the Carter Cabin. The cabin, built as part of Carter's Fort in 1784, is believed to be the oldest house in Scott County, Virginia. Carter's Fort, also known as Crissman's Fort, Rye Cove Fort, and Fort Lee was built in 1774 by Issac Crissman and, ten years later, rebuilt as a permanent settlement by brothers Thomas, Joseph, and Norris Carter. The house was moved sometime later to the town of Rye Cove, then in 1997 the cabin was moved to its current location at Natural Tunnel State Park.

Blaze Color: Green

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Gorge Ridge Trail

The Gorge Ridge Trail is a 0.5 mile moderate difficulty multi-use trail that connects the campground to the Visitor Center area. It is accessible from the Purchase Ridge, Lovers Leap, and Tunnel Hill Trails. The trail passes through open fields and dense hardwood forest where plant life and wildlife abound.

Blaze Color: Yellow

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Lover's Leap Trail

The Lover's Leap Trail is named after two lovers, a Shawnee and a Cherokee, who, legend has it, leapt into the gorge and to their death when their tribal differences would not permit them to marry. The trail is a .4 mile moderate difficulty trail that follows the rim of the gorge offering many spectacular views. The trail is accessible from the Visitor Center, the Tunnel Hill Trail, and the Gorge Ridge Trail. From the Visitor Center until the first overlook near the Tunnel Hill Trail access, the trail is paved and handicap accessible. Beyond the Tunnel Hill Trail, this trail features numerous switchbacks and stairs which earn it the moderate difficulty rating.

Blaze Color: Blue

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Purchase Ridge Trail

The Purchase Ridge Trail is a 2.1 mile moderate, multi-use trail that is accessible from the group camp area and from the Gorge Ridge Trail. This smooth, earth trail climbs 200 feet to a dramatic overlook of the natural tunnel. Due to the significant increase in elevation on this trail, users should consider their abilities and plan accordingly.

Blaze Color: Brown

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Spring Hollow Trail

The Spring Hollow Trail is a .28 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail, that is accessible from a small, marked, parking area off of State Route 646. The trail winds downhill through the woods by way off a narrow, smooth, path that takes users through a hollow and along Stock Creek. The trail brings hikers to the northern entrance of the natural tunnel, the opposite end from the more frequently visited southern opening. The trail ends just inside the tunnel's mouth and users are well advised to not attempt further exploration. The tunnel has a rich history and has been part of an active railway line since 1890, so trains may approach unexpectedly at any moment.

Blaze Color: Gold

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Tunnel Hill Trail

The Tunnel Hill Trail is a .54 mile, moderate difficulty, multi-use trail that connects the picnic area to overlooks of the gorge and several other trails. It is accessible near picnic shelter 1 as well as from the Gorge Ridge Trail and Lovers Leap Trail. Starting from picnic shelter 1 the trail is narrow, flat and paved and runs through a clear area until it crosses Bishoptown Road. The trail enters a wooded area and becomes wider as the paving ends with only slight changes in elevation. Near the end of the trail there is a series of terraced steps that provide access to the Lovers Leap Trail. Users will see several small markers along the trail identifying the various types of trees that may be seen in this area.

Blaze Color: Orange

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Tunnel Trail

The Tunnel Trail into the gorge is a .3 mile, difficult trail that takes users from the Visitor Center down into the gorge where they may see the tunnel from the observation platform or hike south along Stock Creek to the Carter family cabin. The trail is gravel, somewhat steep, and has a lot of switchbacks. Hikers should not assume that the short length of the trail makes it any easier. If you have any doubt about your ability to climb back out of the gorge, consider the chairlift as an alternative.

Blaze Color: Green

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Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail

The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail is a .7 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail, that takes hikers around a loop through several different environments. These include a cedar thicket on former farmland, a mature forest, an early forest, a mowed hayfield, and a shrub area. Interpretive signs along the trail and a small pamphlet help explain what kinds of plants and birds hikers may expect to see. The trail passes two bird observation blinds, the gazebo, and near the blockhouse. The gazebo offers spectacular views of the surrounding Rye Cove and the Purchase Ridge. The trail is part of the statewide Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail system which may be accessed from the Birding and Wildlife area of this program.

Blaze Color: Red

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Amphitheater

Located near the picnic area, the parks amphitheater offers seating for approximately 4,000 people. The facility is ideal for many of the parks interpretive programs and hosts a variety of musical programs throughout the year. It has its own snack bar and restrooms. Groups may reserve the amphitheater for a fee by calling the park at (276) 940-2674.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 42.5400 -82° 44.4016

Cove View Campground

The camping area is accessible just south of the main park road (route 646). It has 16 campsites, all of which have water and electricity and allow an RV to pull through without having to back in or out. The group campsite is currently closed due to construction of a new campground and cabin area. The campground has a bathhouse with showers and restrooms, phones, vending, and a dump station for RVs. All campsites have picnic tables and fire pits. This area also has a small stone fire pit with several benches circling around it for campfire programs.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 42.2299 -82° 44.3083

Lover's Leap Campground

The Lover's Leap Campground has 18 multi-use, back-in, gravel sites with water and electic. AMp hookup for this campground can accommodate 20, 30, or 50 amps. Each site comes equipped with a fire ring that has an adjustable cooking grate, picnic table, and an extra small table. There is a modern bathhouse equipped with showers, flush toilets, outside sinks, and a laundry room. As you enter the campground there is a dump station along with a dumpster for trash.

• Season/Hours: Call Park/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:

Pool Complex

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. 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.

• Season/Hours: 10 A.M. to 6 P.M./See Summary
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 42.6433 -82° 44.4983

Picnic Shelters

There are five picnic shelters in the picnic area, accessible just north of 646 on 795 not far from the campgrounds, pool, or cove ridge center. All shelters have electricity and hold about 50 people with the exceptions of shelters 3 and 5 which are larger and can hold closer to 80 people. Shelters 4 and 5 are ADA accessible while shelter 3 offers potential access in that it can be driven up to for unloading if the gravel access road is unchained. Restrooms with vending and a phone are located between shelters 1 and 2 while restrooms with vending and a nearby playground is located between shelters 4 and 5. Portajohns are located close to shelter 3 and picnic tables and fire pits are located throughout this entire area.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Visitor Center - Gift Shop

A visitor center is located just north of the park office near the chair lift. It has restrooms and vending machines outside and exhibits and a gift shop inside. The exhibits talk largely about the geology of the park and discuss various theories as to how the natural tunnel formed. Visitors can also learn about local history and wildlife and watch a brief video about the park. The gift shop sells souvenirs to remind visitors of their trip.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: N/A
• Location:36° 42.1033 -82° 44.7466

Blockhouse

The Blockhouse reminds visitors of early frontier history of southwest Virginia. Originally situated to the south at Moccasin Gap near Kingsport TN, this authentic replica was reconstructed on park property thanks to volunteer efforts. Originally inhabited by the Anderson family, this structure was an important fortification in an area full Indians that constantly threatened settlers. Settlers traveling along the wilderness road to Kentucky would stay here for several weeks while they waited for other families as they built up a group, giving them safety in numbers as they traveled through more perilous parts.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: N/A
• Location:36° 42.7200 -82° 44.2533

Rim Rock Railroad Steam Engine

This engine was donated to Natural Tunnel State Park by George Barnette Jr. of Wise, VA. It was moved to the Park from atop Little Stone Mountain near Norton, VA in 1996. The locomotive was used for the "Rim Rock Railroad" which operated as a frontier town & tourist attraction in the late sixties and early seventies at the Rim Rock Railroad and Recreation Area. Others responsible for this exhibit include: George Hunnicut Sr. & Pepsi Inc. of Norton, Tennessee Railfan Club, Kenny Fannon, and Natural Tunnel State Park Staff & Volunteers.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: N/A
• Location:36 42.1033 -82 44.7466

Canoe The Clinch River

Join us for a canoe trip down the Clinch River. Guests will have the opportunity to explore and learn of the rich history of the Clinch from when Native Americans and Long Hunters lived along its banks to current day significance of the river. Guests are provided with life jackets, paddles, canoes, instruction, and transportation to and from the river. All tours (except overnight) will originate from the Visitor Center parking lot. We recommend someone at least 15 years old to be in each canoe. No children under 5. No flip-flops. Pre-registration required. Trips limited to 14 people. Contact the park for more details: (276) 940-1643.

• Season/Hours: May 1 - October 31/Usually 9:00 A.M.
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Visitor Center - Gift Shop

A visitor center is located just north of the park office near the chair lift. It has restrooms and vending machines outside and exhibits and a gift shop inside. The exhibits talk largely about the geology of the park and discuss various theories as to how the natural tunnel formed. Visitors can also learn about local history and wildlife and watch a brief video about the park. The gift shop sells souvenirs to remind visitors of their trip.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: N/A
• Location:36° 42.1033 -82° 44.7466

Chair Lift

The chairlift is a unique feature of the park that allows easy access to the gorge and the observation platform where the natural tunnel is located. For $3 visitors may ride down the chairlift, explore the area at the bottom, and then ride back up when they are ready. Restrooms are located at the top in the visitors center and at the bottom near the chairlift station. A snack bar is located at the upper station. At the bottom visitors should make sure to check out the observation platform, which makes for a natural amphitheater. In the summer on weekends the park puts on live music for their Lighting Of The Tunnel program. In the winter they put on a Christmas program with colorful lights on the lift and caroling down by the tunnel.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 940-2674
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 42.1033 -82° 44.7466

Cove Ridge Center

Cove Ridge Center is the park's conference center accessible just north of the picnic shelters near the pool area. This facility, built in 1999, offers meeting rooms, a classroom, a library with high speed and wireless internet, free pool access, a kitchen and overnight accommodations. The two lodges, Clinch and Powell, each have 6 bedrooms, a common TV/dining room, a kitchen, and restrooms. All bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds, thus sleeping 4 people in each room, or 5 if guests decided to double up in the larger bed in each room. The center offers packages for weddings, family reunions, as well as special rates for school, government, church, and other non profit groups. Contact the center (276-940-2696 ) for more information.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call 276-940-2696
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 42.5893 -82° 44.5570