natural tunnel state park

We loved spending the day exploring this beautiful scenery. First we went up to the gift shop and got a ride on the chair lift down to the tunnel where the train passes through. It was so cool down there and plenty of great pictures were taken. Then we are at a picnic area before heading to the old home on the park grounds. It has a old time oven outside and also a outdoor cellar ice box. Took the kids awile to process that way of life. What a great way to spend a day in the wilderness with your family. We will definitely come back to visit.

The campground is mostly level and the sites are easy to get in. The bath houses are very clean and the showers are awesome. The kids loved the pool and the chair lifts. You do have to drive to the pool and chair lifts from the campground but it's not very far. We were camping with 6 adults a 16 year old, a 12 year old, two 11 year olds and a 10 year old.

Took the camper out for the last time this year to natural tunnel park. The campground was very nice, level for most of the lots it looked. And very clean. Campground is a 2 minutes walk from the trailhead that leads you everything in the park and it's all easily accessible within 2 hours. Enjoyed this visit very much. And will camp here again soon .

We visited the park two days after Christmas. The weather was wonderful. Parking was only a few dollars. The chair lift wasn't running the day we visited. The hike down to the bottom doesn't take very long at all and was well worth it. We missed seeing a train go through the tunnel by a few minutes. I imagine it is a neat thing to witness. My husband and I were the only people at the bottom so it was quiet and serene. The hike back to the top was a bit more strenuous (obviously it takes more work to go up than down :-)) We also hiked the trail that goes to the other side of the tunnel. Next time, we would like to try kayaking if it is allowed. Would love to go back!

Have been here twice, and enjoyed it just as much the second time. The chairlift was closed, we visited on Sunday. The gift shop was open and had interesting information about the tunnel. We had the privilege of seeing a train pass through which was very exciting! The hike down the trail takes about 10 minutes, but the hike back up is a little exerting if you aren't in good physical shape. Not for the elderly or those that get short of breath easily! Go on a day that the chairlift is in operation! It's something to see....don't pass it up!

Our day here was rain shortened, but the time we spent there was great. First of all, the natural tunnel with the railroad running through it, is something to see. We heard a train going through soon after we arrived, but wasn't in position to see it. We hiked over to the tunnel overlook, then over to Lover's Leap. Watched a few deer while on the Gorge Ridge trail. We were back around the gift shop around 10am, when the park staff informed us rain was moving in soon. We headed down to the tunnel by trail for some pictures, before returning back up by chair lift, just as it was starting to rain. Would have spent more time here had it not been for the rain. Everyone of the park staff we encountered were friendly, and informative. Great place to visit, even though we only saw a small sample of it! FYI...there was a $4 few at the park entrance.

The park is great in the summer if you like the water. The kids loved the chair lift. I preferred canoeing the clinch. The fishing was awesome.

Had a great camping trip here in July. Full on weekends, but emptied out Sunday night. Be sure to ride the chairlift down to the tunnel. Great pool with waterslide. Be careful, the waterslide is one of the jointed kind and it really hurts your back as you hit each joint. My kids rode it once and elected not to go again. (and they love waterslides). Be sure to visit the blockhouse and learn about life on the frontier.

First we hiked to the river and back up. Then we rode the chair lift round trip. Nice place to visit with family members of all ages. Informational museum and charming gift shop near the chairlift. If we get the chance to visit again we would hike up to "lovers leap".

We just happened to be driving by here and it sounded cool so we gave it a shot and boy was it worth it. This was one of the most picturesque little box canyons I've seen. It was near the end of the evening with some rain and thunder so the skylift was shutdown, but we decided to walk down and see it anyway. And while we were down at the bottom and exploring around a train came through the tunnel which made it all the better. The kids didn't even complain about having to walk all the way back up to the top. And that's saying something.

We stopped here on our way home. Nice park, only $3 per car to enter the park. Beautiful drive to a beautiful park. We rode the chairlift for only $3 per person, great value! The view is breathtaking. The natural tunnel is HUGE. A very unexpected surprise at the bottom of the chairlift ride. Well worth your time to make the stop and its only a short mile off the main road. We didn't have the time to really see all of the park. I am planning on going back again to see it all. From the brochures we picked up, the park has a lot to offer. Two campgrounds with 34 campsites, water/electric available at all sites, group camps, campsite rentals include swimming admission and day use parking fee for registered campers. Cabins available to rent with refrigerator, stove, coffee maker, toaster, microwave, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans. One set of bed linens & one set of towels is provided per person. Air condition/heat, gas log fireplaces, wrap around deck and rocking chairs, picnic table and campfire beside the cabin. No dishwasher, phone of TV. With so much to do outside, you wouldn't want to stay inside any way. Hiking trails, pool, Visitor Center & small Gift Shop, amphitheater, picnic shelters, interpretive programs

We were in Johnson City for a Miata event and ventured out on Saturday and stumbled on this. Most excellent find. Daniel Boone block house was very interesting and the tunnel was very nice. Took the chair lift down and marveled at Mother Nature. An hour well spent!

If you are in the area it's only a mile off the road and at 3 bucks well worth the effort. The curvy road has all the scenery one wishes if you take your time and do it slowly, below the speed limit.

This is a stunningly beautiful well maintained state park. And what fun to use the chair lift to get in.

Camped there this past weekend with my in-laws. Nice campsites. Nice clean bathrooms and showers. They have added a small playground for kids. The newer section of the campground doesn't have as much shade as the older section on the hill, but there are plenty of smaller trees that have been planted that before long will provide plenty of shade.