Natural Tunnel State Park: Difference between revisions

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Panther Creek State Park is located on the Cherokee Reservoir north of Morristown, Tennessee.  Available activities include hiking, mountain biking, camping, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and swimming.
Natural Tunnel, called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan, features the railroad passing through the 850 foot long tunnel.  Camping, swimming, hiking, recreated block house,  


<googlemap lat="36.209377" lon="-83.409576" type="terrain" zoom="14">
<googlemap lat="36.697327" lon="-82.740097" type="terrain" zoom="14">
36.209377,-83.409576,Panther Creek State Park
36.697327,-82.740097,Natural Tunnel State Park
</googlemap>
</googlemap>


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
From Kingsport, TN:
From Kingsport, TN:
#Take I-81 South to Exit 12 (Lowland/Morristown).
#Take Highway US-23 north into Virginia for 18 miles.
#At bottom of exit ramp, turn right (north) onto Enka Highway TN-160, and drive for 11.3 miles.   
#At park sign, turn right onto State Route 871 for bit over a mile.   
#Turn right (east) onto Andrew Johnson Highway US-11E.   
#Veer right at State Route 646 until reaching park entrance.   
#Travel 1.2 miles and turn left (north) onto Panther Creek Road.
#Park entrance will be reached in 1.6 miles.
Trailheads are at several points in the park.
Trailheads are at several points in the park.


== Trails ==
== Trails ==
The trails are in short segments, thus the following are some suggested loop hikes to explore the park.
Natural Tunnel State Park has seven walking trails with the longest being only 1.1 miles long. Decide what you want to see the tunnel, Lovers Leap, Tunnel Hill and Gorge Ridge, and choice accordingly.  
 
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Hiking and Biking Trail Descriptions
1. & 2. Old Farm Trails are easy 1.0 or 1.5 mile loops.
3. Trout Lily Trail is a 2.0 mile loop developed by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. It's for experienced bicyclists.
4. Deer Run Trail winds back and forth for 0.8 miles
5. Piney Cove Trail after 0.6 mile, connects with either Old Wagon Trail or Panther Path.
6. Panther Path starts near the park entrance. It quickly joins Piney Cove Trail which leads to all other bicycle trails.
7. Norris Blackburn Trail is a 0.2 mile uphill to a wildlife observatory.
8. Old Wagon Trail is great for youngsters. It's flat for 0.8 mile and connects with Deer Run Trail which is more difficult.
Hiking Trail Descriptions - Open to hikers only
9. Nature Trail is an easy 1.2 mile loop. The self-guided nature trail was developed by Friends of the Park.
10. Ore Mine Trail is a hilly 1.5 mile loop with a scenic wooden bridge.
11. Sink Holes Trail is a 0.6 mile loop that runs by seven limestone sink holes.
12. Point Lookout Trail is a 1.2 mile loop. After climbing a long steep hill, there is a scenic overlook 400 feet above Cherokee Lake.
13. Ridge Crest Trail descends 0.7 mile to Cherokee Lake. It's steep - and so is the climb back.


== Maps ==
== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
[http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/PantherCreek/ Panther Creek State Park website]
[http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/nat.shtml Natural Tunnel State Park website]
[http://friendsofpanthercreek.org/trails.htm Friends of Panther Creek State Park trail descriptions]
[http://www.virginiaoutdoors.com/parks/activities/natural-tunnel-state-park/Hiking/  Virginia Outdoors detailed trail descriptions]
[http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/gis/pdf/printmaps/panthercreek.pdf Trail map]
[http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/naturaltunnel.pdf Trail map/guide brochure]


<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]].  Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]].  Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hiking]]
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Overlook]]

Revision as of 06:04, 15 March 2011

Natural Tunnel, called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan, features the railroad passing through the 850 foot long tunnel. Camping, swimming, hiking, recreated block house,

<googlemap lat="36.697327" lon="-82.740097" type="terrain" zoom="14"> 36.697327,-82.740097,Natural Tunnel State Park </googlemap>

How to get there

From Kingsport, TN:

  1. Take Highway US-23 north into Virginia for 18 miles.
  2. At park sign, turn right onto State Route 871 for bit over a mile.
  3. Veer right at State Route 646 until reaching park entrance.

Trailheads are at several points in the park.

Trails

Natural Tunnel State Park has seven walking trails with the longest being only 1.1 miles long. Decide what you want to see the tunnel, Lovers Leap, Tunnel Hill and Gorge Ridge, and choice accordingly.

Trails Distance
TBD 3.7 mi
Loop - TBA 4.5 mi


Maps

Natural Tunnel State Park website Virginia Outdoors detailed trail descriptions Trail map/guide brochure

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