This Underrated State Park In Virginia's Appalachian Mountains Is An Underground Adventure

With so much to see in the Blue Ridge, it's easy to overlook Natural Tunnel State Park — a marvel tucked into Virginia's rugged heart and one of the state's most underrated destinations. With fewer crowds than at Shenandoah or Virginia Beach, this Appalachian gem feels like a secret whispered among the mountain pines. The park is anchored by an earth-carved wonder — an 850-foot-long tunnel hewn by nature, nearly 10 stories tall. The scale is humbling and unexpected for a geological cathedral formed when acidic rainwater dissolved the limestone beneath the mountain's surface.

This cavernous tunnel was converted to a working tunnel in 1893, when tracks were first laid through it. Visitors today can peer at historic trains rumbling through from an observation deck or chairlift — echoes of the past rising from steel on stone. Accessible yet majestic, discovering this hidden gorge evokes both awe and curiosity: An under-the-radar destination ready for outdoor lovers and storytellers alike.

Begin your visit with one of the park's most delightful experiences by using the retro chairlift. Built in 1989, it carries you down into the gorge, delivering gorgeous fall foliage views as you descend. Taking the stairs down — a 175-step descent — is possible too, though it'll get your heart pumping. Once you reach the bottom, the view from the observation platform is cinematic. You'll see towering walls of stone overhead, the iron tracks fading into shadow. It frames the tunnel not just as a feat of geology, but a living bridge between past and present.

The park is more than this dramatic entrance. Spread across 909 acres, it offers nine well-kept trails from easy strolls to moderate hikes. The 1-mile Lover's Leap Trail ends at a cliffside vista steeped in local legend (two star-crossed lovers, one tragic leap) adding romantic lore to the panoramic scene. The blend of stories, elevation, and greenery crafts an immersive Blue Ridge experience few expect.

For those who crave deeper exploration, Natural Tunnel State Park delivers underground and riverside thrills. Guided kayak and canoe tours float along the Clinch River for about four hours at roughly $15 per person — affordable and intimate, with herons and wildlife occasionally gliding alongside. If subterranean discovery calls your name, sign up for caving tours of Bolling Cave or Pannell Cave. These guided ventures allow you to take in unique rock formations and cave-dwelling wildlife including snails and salamanders. Secure reservations ahead of time to guarantee your spot.

At day's end, choose between two campgrounds with water and electric hookups, cozy cabins, or yurts — all offering peaceful mountain vistas and warm firelight. With two days here you can hit the chairlift, explore trails, paddle the river, or disappear underground. Prefer your history a bit spookier? Check out Kiptopeke State Park and uncover its unique and creepy secret. Or, for a more traditional outdoors experience, consider the picturesque waters, trails, and recreation of Holliday Lake. 

Natural Tunnel State Park isn't just a geological spectacle — it's an under-recognized Virginian adventure, where history is uncovered within the hush of hidden depths. It invites you to descend, explore, and emerge awed.