Exploring Virginia: Natural Tunnel State Park

Tucked away in the far southwest corner of Virginia, on the outskirts of the small town of Duffield is Natural Tunnel State Park. The park is home to a huge tunnel that naturally carved through the limestone over thousands of years. It was even been hailed as the eighth world wonder by William Jennings Bryan. Train tracks run through the tunnel and it is still an operational train tunnel to this today.

In addition to the namesake tunnel, the park features a range of other activities and features. My in laws live within a handful of miles of the park so we are lucky to visit often. Despite spending a lot of time here, there are many activities we still hope to check out. Their guided tours include wildflower walks, canoe/kayak trips, and bird watching hikes. They offer a range of self guided activities and nature scavenger hunts as well as an astronomy program.

Our favorite things to do at Natural Tunnel State Park:

Taking the ski lift down to the tunnel floor.

There is a significant drop in elevation from where you park to where the tunnel is located. Switchback trails take you down the mountain to the tunnel. From Thanksgiving until Christmas, the park hosts the Lighting of the Tunnel. The trails below the ski lift are lit up as is the the tunnel where hot cocoa, music and other holiday festivities await.

Hiking the trails and taking in the views.

Natural Tunnel State Park is home to several trails. We typically venture to the bottom of the park to see the tunnel at its level. The tunnel trail is short but quite steep. The other trails are through the woods and have amazing views of the tunnel from above.

Attending an event at the Cove Ridge Center.

This beautiful space in the park is primarily used for environmental education but can be rented out for events, conferences, etc.

Camping (or cabining).

Natural Tunnel State Park has a variety of lodging options including yurts, tent sites, RV sites and cabins. We stayed in a cabin for Christmas while visiting family and could not get over how well equipped, spacious and peaceful it was.

Funding Virginia’s great outdoors

Protecting Virginia’s special places means more nature for Virginians to enjoy and more nature for plants and animals to thrive. Our state parks and other protected lands are critically important to Virginians and the environment which is why we need to better protect and better fund our great outdoors.

We are visiting every state park in Virginia so check back as our adventure continues!