More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. William Jennings Bryan called it the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area, a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River, as well as the Cove Ridge Center, which offers environmental education, conference facilities and overnight dorm accommodations. A camp store and kayak programs are new this year.
Camping
The park has two campgrounds, Cove View Campground and Lover's Leap Campground. All sites have electricity and water (EW). Sites in Lover's Leap Campground may be specifically reserved.
Cove View Campground - 16 electric-water hookup sites
Up to six people per site. The only exception is for immediate families of no more than two adults over 18 and their minors, all of whom must be under 18.
Each campsite has a campfire-ring grill and an extended-top picnic table.
Firewood and ice are sold at campground host site.
Two vehicles per campsite. There is additional parking by the bathhouse (an additional daily parking fee applies there).
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Guests visiting campers should park in the bathhouse parking area.
The park has a junior Olympic-size swimming pool and 100-foot water slide. Each member of the camper party may get a pool pass. Passes are part of the registration packet. A pass is issued for each night of rental. The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The last two weeks of August, it is open only on weekends. Refunds will not be made should the pool be unavailable. Swimming is free to overnight guests only when available.
EW - Electric and Water Hookup Sites (001 EW – 016 EW). Shaded and sunny sites are for tents, pop-ups and RVs up to 38 feet. Electrical service is 20 and 30-amp. All sites are gravel pull-through with a grassy area and have a campfire-ring grill and a picnic table. A bathhouse with hot showers is at the end of the campground loop.
Lover’s Leap Campground - 18 electric-water hookup sites
Up to six persons are allowed per site. The only exception is for immediate family.
Each site has a campfire-ring grill and an extended-top picnic table.
Firewood and ice are sold at campground host site.
Two vehicles per campsite. There is additional parking by the bathhouse (an additional daily parking fee applies there).
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Guests visiting campers should park by the bathhouse and must pay the daily parking fee.
A volleyball net and horseshoe pits are in campground area.
The park has a junior Olympic-size swimming pool and 100-foot water slide. Each member of the camper party may get a pool pass. Passes are part of the registration packet. A pass is issued for each night of rental. The pool is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The last two weeks of August, it is open only on weekends. Refunds will not be made should the pool be unavailable. Swimming is free to overnight guests only when available.
EW - Electric and Water Hookup Sites (LL 01- LL 18). These sites are for tents, pop-ups and RV’s up to 50 feet. Electrical service is 20, 30 and 50-amp. All are back-in sites and have a campfire-ring grill, picnic table, lantern post and utility table. Campsite 9 is accessible to the disabled and is near the bathhouse. The site is not reserved strictly for those with disabilities. Because sites are assigned upon arrival, ask park personnel for this site when you get there. Tents and all other recreational equipment should be set up within the campsite’s boundaries. The campground bathhouse has showers, restrooms and a laundry facility.
Total camp sites in the park of each type: EW: 34
Group Site
Natural Tunnel's group site is in a partially wooded area about half a mile from main campgrounds and bathhouses. Parking is available at the site, but RV’s and camping units are not allowed.
Amenities
Five 15 ft. x 15 ft. tent pads. (Accommodates up to 30 people total, depending on tent size.)
Common area with fire ring.
Eating area with four picnic tables.
Camp tent suitable for group activities.
Utility building with electricity and lights suitable for storage or food prep (no cooking inside shed).
Parking for up to five vehicles. (Overflow parking available in main campground). No RV or camping trailer parking is available.
30-amp electrical outlet.
Potable water spigot.
Two portable toilets. (No showers on site.)
Swimming for group campers is $1 per person.
Recreation
TRAILS
Hiking, mountain bike and self-guided trails - Natural Tunnel State Park has seven walking trails. The longest is 2.1 miles long. The trails lead to 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 who may ride the chairlift, when operable, to the mouth of the tunnel. Most trails are open to mountain bikes.
SWIMMING
Complex includes a 5,400-square-foot pool, a large bathhouse, and a snack bar in the concession building. The pool is open daily from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Prior to mid-June, swimming may be available only on weekends, and the pool is closed on weekdays during the last two weeks of August.
Except for group campers, swimming is free for cabin and camping guests. It cannot be guaranteed, however, 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.
FISHING, BOATING
There is limited fishing within the park along Stock Creek. Other trout streams also are near the park. The Clinch River, which is about five miles from the park, is known for a great variety of fish including, walleye, smallmouth bass, red-eye, bluegill and musky.
HORSES
Throughout the year, the Scott County Regional Horse Association sponsors shows at the Scott County Horse Park, which is about 15 miles from the park.
HUNTING
Nearby Jefferson National Forest has several areas open to public hunting.
