Natural Tunnel State Park preserves the south finish of an 850-foot-long naturally carved tunnel. Visitors discover the luxurious nature surrounding the lively railroad tunnel for eleven months of the yr. But the tunnel is surrounded by 1000’s of Christmas lights, bonfires, and reside music for one month.
It’s the annual Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel and one in every of Virginia’s most original vacation gentle shows.
The particular occasion is a uncommon alternative to see the quirky tunnel at night time. Riding the chair carry in darkness to the underside of the gorge is exhilarating. Then, stroll by a tunnel of lights to a festive get together with a bonfire, s’mores, and reside music.
Here’s every thing you must find out about visiting the annual Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel at Natural Tunnel State Park in Duffield, Virginia.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Map
How to make use of this map: Click the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend objects to show extra data. If you may have a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s identify to avoid wasting this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Natural Tunnel State Park shouldn’t be confused with Natural Bridge State Park – each in Virginia. Natural Tunnel State Park opened in 1971 to protect the tunnel’s south finish and interpret native historical past.
1,000,000 years in the past, a small creek started eroding the limestone and dolomite. Eventually, Stock Creek bore an 850-foot-long pure tunnel by the limestone ridge. In 1893, the South Atlantic and Ohio Railroad took benefit of the pure tunnel and constructed a freight and passenger observe by it.
Today, the tunnel is owned by Norfolk Southern and utilized by CSX to move coal.
Visitors to Natural Tunnel State Park can stroll the 0.27-mile Tunnel Trail (bookmark on AllTrails) to the underside of the gorge. The path features a wood boardwalk throughout the railroad tracks to a spectacular view on the tunnel’s south finish. Then, stroll the 0.13-mile Carter Cabin Trail to go to a historic cabin moved to the park within the Nineteen Nineties.
Pro Travel Tip
Walking by the tunnel is forbidden and harmful as a result of it’s an lively railroad. Check with the state park’s customer heart in regards to the present practice schedule – you might wish to go to when a practice passes by the tunnel or keep away from it throughout that point.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Schedule in 2023
The Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel runs from 6 p.m. till 10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night time from November 24 till December 23, 2023.
Here is the entire schedule for 2023:
- November 24, 2023 – Gift a Friend a Lift Night
- November 25, 2023
- December 1, 2023 – Kids Craft Night
- December 2, 2023
- December 8, 2023 – Ugly Sweater Night
- December 9, 2023
- December 15, 2023 – Decorate a Cookie Night
- December 16, 2023
- December 22, 2023 – Christmas Character Costume Night
- December 23, 2023
The first night time of Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel is themed “Gift a Friend a Lift.” Visitors can journey the chairlift free of charge throughout the one-night particular after donating two or extra non-perishable meals objects. The collected meals goes to an area meals financial institution and shelter.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Tickets
There isn’t any payment for attending the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. However, there’s a $5 parking payment that covers transport from the Cove Ridge Center to the customer heart.
Riding the chairlift one-way is $4 per individual, and roundtrip is $5. However, you’ll be able to stroll the 0.27-mile Tunnel Trail with out paying a payment. The path descends 245 ft to the gorge beneath – it’s a hefty hike again to the customer heart.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
The Christmas Lightning of the Tunnel is an annual occasion that options 1000’s of Christmas lights, animated shows, reside music, and bonfires for roasting s’mores. It’s a family-friendly occasion and ideal for a date night time.
Lights beautify the handrails, arch over the wood boardwalk close to the tunnel, and dangle from bushes overhead. The towering 10-story cliff wall beside the tunnel’s entrance is lit with a yuletide inexperienced.
One strategy to unravel the gorge is the 0.27-mile Tunnel Trail (Bookmark on AllTrails). The paved path is steep, descending 245 ft in two-tenths of a mile. Animated gentle shows on either side of the path give guests one thing enjoyable to take a look at throughout the downward trek.
The best strategy to unravel the gorge is a journey on the chairlift. Rides value $4 per individual one-way or $5 per individual roundtrip. The journey takes about 10 minutes. Riding the chairlift by the darkness is exhilarating, however you can even see the animated shows beneath.
Walk the 0.13-mile Carter Cabin Trail to go to the historic log cabin. Members of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Association costume in interval clothes and inform tales of Christmas in 1775 – the yr generally believed to be when the cabin was constructed. A roaring fireplace retains guests heat contained in the one-room cabin.
A big statement deck close to the tunnel’s entrance turns into a energetic get together throughout Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. Live music fills the chilly air every night time. A bonfire fights off the chilliness and gives guests with a marshmallow-roasting alternative for s’mores. Bring your personal elements or purchase them from a vendor together with sizzling chocolate and sizzling apple cider.
Accessibility on the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Good information! The Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel is handicap accessible. But it takes some effort to see the spectacular Christmas gentle show.
Handicap parking is on the market on the customer heart. The chair carry is accessible, and the workers are effortlessly sort at serving to folks get into the snug seats. Wheelchairs are despatched down on the previous chair carry.
A wood boardwalk from the chair carry on the backside of the gorge gives an accessible path to the tunnel’s entrance. However, the undeveloped path to the Carter Cabin will not be accessible.
Getting to the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Natural Tunnel State Park is a distant Virginia park about 30-45 minutes from the closest interstate. However, it’s straightforward to search out.
From most factors in Tennessee, take Interstate 26 north previous Kingsport. The interstate transitions right into a four-lane divided freeway shortly crossing into Virginia close to Weber City. Continue alongside U.S. Highway 23 by Gate City to a aspect street resulting in the state park.
You’ve gone too far should you come to a site visitors gentle intersection in Duffield the place U.S. Highway 58 turns left, and U.S. Highway 23 continues straight.
There are a couple of methods to get to the park from most factors in Virginia.
Take U.S. Highway 58 from Bristol to Weber City. This two-lane street is a curvy journey by the mountains, but it surely’s the shortest route.
Take U.S. Highway 11W from Bristol towards Kingsport. Shortly after coming into town, flip onto TN Highway 93 (North John B. Dennis Highway) and proceed to Weber City. These roads are four-lane divided highways, barely longer however sooner.
The closing choice is to take Interstate 81 south to Interstate 26. This route is about 10 miles longer and solely 5 minutes slower. It’s the simplest route from Virginia to the state park.
After exiting U.S. Highway 58 onto Natural Tunnel Parkway, proceed previous the park’s entrance. Only handicapped guests park on the customer heart. After passing the park’s entrance, hold proper onto Bishoptown Road and switch left towards the Cove Ridge Center.
Parking on the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Only handicapped guests park on the customer heart throughout the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. All different guests park on the Cove Ridge Center close to the park’s campground.
It prices $5 per car for parking.
A shuttle bus picks up guests and transports them to the customer heart. When was the final time you rode a college bus? The bus runs each quarter-hour from 6 p.m. till the ultimate customer returns to their automobile.