Virginia’s Hidden Gem at Natural Tunnel State Park
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June 2024
Natural Tunnel State Park
Sitting in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia you will find the picturesque Natural Tunnel State Park where nature lovers will be in awe of this geological wonder along with its beautiful landscape. You will journey to the natural tunnel where you will find its breathtaking limestone cave that was created over millions of years by the forces of nature. You will find scenic hiking trails and the historical Lover’s Leap where you will find an unforgettable awe-struck beauty of Natural Tunnel State Park and its surrounding area.
Address: 1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway, Duffield, Virginia
Cost: $7, if the entrance station is not staffed, there is an envelope to put your payment in.
Hours: 8am to dusk
Pets: are allowed in Virginia State Parks except in buildings or at designated swimming areas
There are several events held throughout the year at Natural Tunnel State Park
Kayak the Clinch
Railroad Day
Toad Abode
Nature Journaling
Critter Crawl
Wild Cave Tour
Welcome Campfire
Nature’s Light Show
Solar Sunday
and a lot more events, check out their page for more details
Railroad Day
The Natural Tunnel bridge is an active train tunnel, and you are not allowed to enter the tunnel except once a year on Railroad Day which happens on the third Saturday in July. During this day the train does not operate allowing hikers to walk in the train tunnel. See website for details. There is no added fee to walk into the tunnel.
Natural Tunnel Visitor Center
This smaller visitor center offers helpful guides that will provide useful information on the park and trails. You can also find souvenirs and a pictorial history of the park. Park maps are available inside the center and located outside the visitor center by the restrooms.
Hours: Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm. We were at the visitor center on a Thursday, and it was open for limited hours.
Chairlift
The chairlift is located across from the visitor center. You will park in the parking lot and have access to both the visitor center and chairlift.
Hours: open daily 10am to 6pm until Labor Day. After Labor Day it is open only on the weekends.
Cost: $5 round trip or $4 one-way, seasonal pass $25
Hiking trails
There are several beautiful hiking trails in this park. The longest hike is 2.07 miles. We did not complete every hike in this park, but we did complete several of them and we spent about 3 hours at this park. Trail names are included below, and miles are listed as one way:
Purchase Ridge is listed as moderate and is the longest trail at 2.07 miles
Stock Creek is listed as moderate and is 1.03 miles
VA Birding and Wildlife is listed as moderate and is 0.7 miles
Tunnel Hill is listed as moderate and is 0.54 miles
Cabin is listed as easy and is 0.5 miles
Lover’s Leap is listed as moderate and is 0.36 miles
Gorge Ridge is listed as moderate and is 0.54 miles
Tunnel is listed as difficult and is 0.27 miles
Carter Log Cabin is listed as easy and is 0.13 miles
Natural Tunnel Trail
Although this hike is listed as difficult, it doesn’t have to be. You can visit this 850-feet long and 10 stories high tunnel by using the chairlift which will take you to the bottom of this trail where you can then walk the path to the boardwalk where you can stand and view the Natural Tunnel from. If you choose to hike this trail without using the chairlift, you will descend down several stories (250 feet elevation) to the Tunnel and then you will need to climb back up via the designated path.
Overlook platform
Once you are done visiting the tunnel platform, before you make your way back to the chairlift you can visit the Tunnel observation platform where you can get an overview of the picturesque Natural Tunnel. This is part of the trail back up to the parking lot.
Carter Log Cabin trail
You can reach The Carter Log Cabin from the bottom of the chairlift building. There will be a sign directing you to the beginning of the trail which will lead you first over a bridge where you will continue on the trail. You will walk this short trail where you can visit the Carter Log Cabin which was built in 1774. This cabin is supposably the oldest home in Scott County, Virginia and was moved to this location in 1997. This trail ends at Stock Creek where you will then turn around and walk back the same path to the chairlift station. This trail is about 0.4 miles round trip.
You are able to enter the cabin and imagine simpler times and stay a minute to take in this natural setting along the creek.
Gorge Ridge trail
Gorge Ridge trail can be found to the left of the visitor center closer to the train on display. This path is fairly easy to complete and is 0.54 miles one way which takes you toward Lover’s Leap.
The Gorge Ridge trail intersects with several other trails including Lover’s Leap, Stock Creek Trail, and Tunnel Hill Trail.
Starting at the trail by the train, you will head right at the first intersection (to the left takes you to the Stock Creek Trail), at the next intersection you will follow the path straight onto the Gorge Ridge trail (far right takes you to Lover’s Leap trail where you will then take a left. Going off to the left will take you onto Tunnel Hill Trail toward the picnic area). Following the Gorge Ridge trail will bring you to another “T” where you will head to the right to Lover’s Leap Overlook.
Lover’s Leap trail
You can park in parking lot by the visitor center for this adventure. See above (Gorge Ridge trail for trail details). If you follow the path directly behind the visitor center, this path is 0.36 miles one way to the overlook.
After visiting Lover’s Leap Overlook, you will decide which path to take. You can take the path to the right (see pic below for path options) and follow it back on the same path you started (or finish the Tunnel Hill trail to the picnic area or continue straight onto the Purchase Ridge Trail) where going to the left will take you back to the visitor center.
Lover’s Leap provides a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and a small glimpse of the Natural Tunnel. There is a fence along the overlook for safety reasons but as you get up close to the fence it still offers that wonderful view you see in the pictures below.
The legend goes that Lover’s Leap is where a Cherokee girl and a Shawnee warrior leaped to their death after being forbidden to marry each other by their tribes. Not sure if there is truth to this legend as I have also visited another Lover’s Leap in Hannibal Missouri with a similar story.
Stock Creek Recreational Area
Stock Creek trail can be accessed from behind the visitor center as noted above, or you can drive to the Stock Creek Recreational Area and park in their parking lot where you can then walk on the trail near this location. This area leads to the back side of the Natural Tunnel which in my opinion has better views since there are no limits of a boardwalk detracting from its natural beauty. Hiking this trail from the Stock Creek Recreational Area to the Natural Tunnel was the recommended path from the staff at the visitor center.
Kayak the Clinch tour starts from this location. This 5 1/2-mile float happens several times throughout the summer months. This tour is available for ages 13 and up and is $15 per person. View a variety of aquatic life and even an abandoned rail car along the creek. Appropriate footwear is required, and you are welcome to bring your own water and snacks.
Stock Creek trail
From the parking lot at Stock Creek Recreational Area, you will head to the left of the bridge where you will walk the Stock Creek Trail along the grassy path next to the creek. You will then get to the area where you will cross over the creek to continue on the path to the Natural Tunnel. (see details below)
You can also walk the short path to the right of the Recreational Area which leads you to the creek again where you will then turn around and head back to the parking lot.
Water Crossing at Stock Creek Trail
When you encounter the Danger sign you know you are at the area where you will cross the water to continue on the path to the Natural Tunnel. If the boulders are covered over with water, they do not recommend you cross. We did however cross slowly and made it to the other side. I recommend you wear water shoes on this path. I wear my Teva sandals all the time when hiking and highly recommend them. Using trekking poles will help provide more balance as you cross the creek.
Once you cross the water, you will continue on the path next to the creek until you reach the Natural Tunnel.
Northern Natural Tunnel Stock Creek trail
Once you reach the northern side of the tunnel, take some time here to photograph this beautiful more natural back side of the tunnel. It is not recommended that you walk in the water next to the tunnel so use your own judgement on how you enjoy this area.
There are a few rocks here you can sit on and enjoy a snack and drink while viewing the area.
On your way back, before you cross the creek again, you will come across the trail post below showing you different paths you can take. You can take this path back to the visitor center or to the Recreation Area parking.
Camping
Camping is available from the first week in March to the first week in December at this park. There are two campgrounds at this park: Lover’s Leap Campground and Cove View Campground. Reserve campsites online.
Cove View Campground
16 electric (20/30 amp) and water sites
amenities: campfire grill, picnic table, bathhouse with hot showers
firewood and ice are sold at the camp host site
RV’s up to 38 feet
gravel pull-through sites with grassy area
$35-$40 each site
Lover’s Leap Campground
18 electric (20/30/50) and water sites
amenities: campfire grill, picnic table, lantern post, utility table, volleyball net, horseshoe pits, showers, restrooms, and laundry
firewood and ice are sold at the camp host site
RV’s up to 50 feet
back in sites
$35-$40 each site
Primitive Camping is available in this partially wooded area a 1/2 mile from the campgrounds. RV’s and camping units are not allowed, tents only (check out our recommended tent).
5 - 15x15 foot campsites
common area with a picnic ring and 4 picnic tables
amenities: potable water spigot at the entrance, two portable toilets, utility building with electricity and lights. No showers.
$15-$18 each site
Cabins, Cove Ridge Center Lodge, and Yurts are also available. Reserve online. Pets are not allowed in Yurts. There is an additional nightly fee for pets staying in cabins.
Camping necessities
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As you end your adventure at Natural Tunnel State Park, you can reminisce about the activities you experienced from hiking to camping or just viewing this beautiful natural setting while creating a memorable experience in one of Virginia’s State Parks. Virgina has some amazing state parks to tour, making this state a top destination on the east coast of the United States.
Enjoy the journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer
I am a girl who loves to travel with my family and enjoys sharing expert family travel advice. I am a content creator and influencer on Instagram with years of travel experience and provide readers with advice, tips, and details on adventurous family travel and tips on saving money while boondocking or traveling across the US. You can usually find me dreaming up our next epic vacation or outside exploring natural landscapes. I am a fearless roadtripper who isn’t afraid to explore new and off the path adventures. Pic at Natural Tunnel state Park.
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