Natural Tunnel State Park — Attraction in Gate City

UPDATE: We visited again on a early Thursday morning in Nov 2024. We were just driving by and on a whim decided to see what this place looked like in the fall. Unfortunately without all the pretty flowers it was very meh. It was also a very sunny day and the light was bouncing off all the rock. The chair lift was only operating on weekends but they were maintenance it at the time. So it was running but not letting people on. The visitor center was closed so you had to go to the main office at the front for any merch you might want. It looks like they were decorating for a winter holiday event with lights everywhere. We were sad we wouldn't be in the area to see.

We visited on a Friday afternoon in early April 2023. Be aware that the Park Visitor Center closes at 4PM and the Park Office a little after that I think 4:30PM.

We wanted to try to get to the visitor center in time to grab some merch before it closed. We got there about 4:05PM. We knocked on the door and a nice older gentleman ranger opened it and we asked if we could just quickly grab a couple pins and take them back down to Park Office to pay for them as they were already counting the register. He was super nice and said that was fine. Super trustworthy letting us take the pins back down to the Park Office to pay for them. We wish we got more than the 1 mins to look over all the items for sale we could've also purchased but the park office did also have a couple items for sale but a very limited supply comparatively.

We purchased a couple other cool items at the Park Office including a stuffed Big Foot that my wife had to have. The credit card machine was down at the time and we could only buy stuff in cash which was a little annoying but we came so far out of our way to hit this park we weren't going to complain too much.

Then we went back up to the top of the park to do the hike down to the natural tunnel. The hike itself was amazing! it's a lot of steps and switch backs but it was overcast and a little drizzly out. All the spring wild flowers were blooming. So many different varieties and colors. Then the overlook half way down the trail is a perfect spot to take pictures. Don't forget to stop here as it's kind of hidden off to the side. You could miss it if you aren't paying attention. Then down to the boardwalk and across the train tracks. Everything was so pretty and photogenic with the overcast skies it was like fake almost. Wife kept saying it was like we were in a Disney movie. The water rapids cascading over the rocks and under the bridge. The natural tunnel itself was just massive and a sight to see as well. I think that mixed with the time of year and lighting made it perfect.

Even with the wet trails and drizzle there were a few other groups hiking the trail with us. We took a ton of pictures. Don't forget to go around the lower tram station as there are other trails back there just as picturesque. We hiked over the bridge and down to the historic cabin on the other side before turning around and making our way back. We also noticed that a lot of the trail had lights installed on posts including on the bridge. We could only imagine what it would look like at night with all the lights on. This would be a amazing venue for a party or wedding. Not sure if the park rents it out for events like that or not. If they don't it's a missed opportunity for sure.

The tram station was currently closed while we were visiting but the trail down was all worth it. There are a few benches scattered throughout the switchbacks if you need to take a seat to rest. Would be nice to see the view from the tram when it's in operation.

If we were passing through we would definitely visit this place again. Need to see the actual inside of the visitor center. We saw through the windows a little bit. There were also a few other trails we would've liked to try out as well. There are also picnic tables at the parking area and it would be a great place to just have a picnic. I would be even in the summer the natural tunnel probably keeps it pretty cool...

This place is awesome. I honestly wasn't expecting much when we booked our trip. We camped/stayed in a Yurt onsite for our first day of an extended camping trip more as a way to ease our drive then wanting to see this park. However, Natural Tunnel ended up being one of the highlights of our trip.

We hiked from the campsites to the rim of the Tunnel and were immediately awe struck by the sight of the stone walls of the outer tunnel. I think the walls are something like 300ft tall. We then took the old Gondola, which was a complete surprise to us that a gondola was even there, down into the valley. Where we got to explore into the tunnel. The Tunnel was cool and shady and magnificent.

We talked to an author who wrote a book about the tunnel and we bought his book from him on the platform looking into the tunnel. The park offers tours of the tunnel and I think some night time excursions. Unfortunately we did not plan, nor have the time, to experience any of those things. But we will certainly be back.

For those interested in the Yurt, the Yurt was cool. Super clean. Has a locking front door so it seemed rather safe. There is a bear canister/storage area outside where we kept food and trash. There is a wrap around deck, a fire pit, plenty of rocking chairs, and the furnishings in our yurt seemed rather new. These included a bed with a trundle, a couch big enough to sleep on, tables, and extra chairs. The temps that day were in the low 80s and the yurt was fine with the top open but we stayed outside mostly because of course.

The store which is a short walk from the camping area is open till 6 and has all of the "oops I forgot" items you may need. Showers and bathrooms were clean and also easily accessible from the yurt location. Maybe 50 yards from our yurt, if that.

We loved this place and can't...

We have camped this park twice with grandchildren. We enjoyed the park both times. The most recent visit was on 5/30,31, 6/01. Really enjoyed the actual tunnel experience and the ride down to the tunnel area was a real experience, not to be forgotten by the 15 and 12 year olds. The camping areas, Cove and Lover's Leap, were both in spotless condition. I do need to mention that on both visits the camp grounds were loud beyond the 10pm curfew time. Most recently we camped adjacent to a large family, part of which were camping in a tent , the other part "camping" in their car. The kids stayed in the car and slammed the car doors as they got in and out. Those that read this review know that next to "cooler top banging", door slamming is something that ya just don't want to hear. Most of the state parks that we have visited are well patrolled by security, and I do think some security presence would have dealt with this situation. I ended up dealing with it directly so our family could get some sleep. Then there were the dogs barking angrily in the next camp ground. Also building a cooking fire with the green cut wood purchased from the camp host was a challenge. Only way to keep the fire going was to split the logs into small pieces. All in all we liked this park for the historic and geologic features. It's a beautiful place. I won't return to camp, but would encourage...