GENERAL INFO: The Commonwealth of Virginia acquired the tunnel and 100 surrounding acres in 1967 from the Natural Tunnel Chasm and Caverns Corp. to establish Natural Tunnel State Park. Approximately 750 additional acres were later acquired and the park opened in 1971. The Cove Ridge Center, a meeting facility, is also located at the park.

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.

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). Take State Route 871 and go 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.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.

CAMPING:

• Swimming is free during summer to campers.
• Each campsite has "campfire ring" type grills that can be used for campfire.
• Firewood and ice are sold at the park.
• One vehicle per campsite with additional parking near the bathhouse.
• Guests visiting campers allowed until 10 p.m.; must park near bathhouse area and obey all camping rules, including 10 p.m. quiet time.

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. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on weekends. Click here for park fees. 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. 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: None.

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 March, 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. Also includes gift shop.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Weather permitting, guided canoe trips of the Clinch River are offered on Saturdays and Sundays in season. Wild cave tours and trips to Natural Tunnel via Stock Creek are offered every other Sunday afternoon in season. Groups of eight or more may schedule tours at other times. Reservations are required for these programs - call the park at (276) 940-2674 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 or email naturaltunnel@dcr.virginia.gov or call. Candlelight Series at Cove Ridge, monthly, January - April. Run the Tunnel, late April. Tunnel Run Car Show, early May. Pickin' in the Park, select Sundays, June - August. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

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 environmental education equipment.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

• Scott County Park, 9-hole golf course, pro shop and picnic shelters, fees required. Duffield (five miles from park), at elementary school on Route 58 is a walking track and lighted tennis courts, free.
• Carter’s Fold, birthplace of the famous Carter family (i.e., June Carter Cash, etc.) and includes country music, traditional bluegrass music every Saturday night; also a museum is open prior to show time.
• Homeplace Mountain Farm and Museum, 17 miles from park in Weber City offers a collection of authentic structures and artifacts from locations throughout Scott County.
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, 60 miles from park and offers scenic and historic areas, hiking, camping and visitor center, open year-round, fees required.
• Breaks Interstate Park, two hours from park and called the Grand Canyon of the South, offers 1,600-foot gorge, pool, paddleboats, trails, fishing, visitor center, camping, cabins, whitewater rafting and restaurant.
• Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, 20 miles from park in Kingsport, Tenn., Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Tenn., two hours from park in Great Smokey Mountains National Park.
• Rocky Mount Museum, 40 minutes from park.
• Southwest Virginia Museum, 20 minutes from park in Big Stone Gap, Va.
• Also visit the June Tolliver Playhouse, the seasonal outdoor performance of the musical adaptation of John Fox Jr.’s Trail of the Lonesome Pine, plus the John Fox Jr. Museum and the Harry Meader Coal Museum.
• Bristol International Raceway, 45 minutes from park.
• Bristol Caverns, 50 minutes from park.
• South Holston Lake, one hour from park.
• Steele Creek and Golf Course in Bristol.
• Sugar Hollow Park, near Exit 7 in Bristol. Lonesome Pine Country Club, offers golfing near town of Big Stone Gap. Lonesome Pine
• International Raceway, in Coeburn, Va., offers 3/8-mile banked track for late model stock car racing.
• Virginia Heritage Music Trail

Also check out 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.

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Chairlift: The chairlift can be stopped at both terminals for loading and unloading passengers. Wheelchairs and walkers can be sent down in the chair with the individual or in the next chair. The park has a wheelchair at the lower terminal for public use should it be needed or in case the given motorized wheelchair is too heavy to load. Staff will provide assistance at this facility in loading and unloading physically challenged passengers. The boardwalk to the tunnel is level, and guests can wheel to the mouth of the tunnel. There is also an accessible pit toilet at the lower terminal building.
• Visitor center/gift shop: The visitor center and gift shop building is handicapped accessible. It is across from the chairlift upper terminal. Handicapped parking is here as well, and accessible restrooms are provided in the breezeway of the visitor center.
• Natural Tunnel Overlook: Directly behind the visitor center is a hand-railed, asphalt, ramped walkway that goes to the main overlook above the Stock Creek Gorge and the mouth of Natural Tunnel. The overlook is approximately 200 yards from the visitor center parking area.
• Campground: All electric and water sites are fairly level and can accommodate handicapped guests. They are asphalt pull-through type sites with grassy areas surrounding them. The walk-in tent sites are not accessible because of steps that lead down to them. The campground bathhouse toilet stalls are accessible. The showers in the bathhouse limited access. There is a ramped entrance to the bathhouse.
• Picnic area: One of two picnic area restrooms is accessible. It has accessible entry and stalls. This restroom is near shelter 4, which was built by the Manville Ruritan Club as a handicapped accessible picnic shelter. Shelter 4 has tables and level walkways meeting specifications for the handicapped. We also have Shelter 5, a large group shelter adjacent to the handicapped restroom and accessible from an asphalt ramp. There's a hand-railed walkway approximately 300 feet long. These shelters and restrooms are located approximately 100 feet from the handicapped parking area.
• Swimming pool: The pool bathhouse and facility are accessible. The park has wheelchair accessible tables in the patio of the snack bar and a lift to lower guests from wheel chair into the pool.
• Cove Ridge Center: The Cove Ridge Center is accessible for handicapped guests. It has ramped entrances, accessible restrooms and accessible shower stalls in the dormitory portion of the center.
• Train engine display: The park features a restored train engine that has a wheelchair accessible ramp built into it. It is adjacent to the visitor center parking lot.
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

SPECIAL FEATURES: 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.

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; the nearest grocery store is in Duffield, about five miles from the park.

HISTORY: Daniel Boone was probably the first white man to see the tunnel. 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, that 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.