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.
{{Park
|Park Type=State Park
|Park Website=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/natural-tunnel
|Trail Map Link=https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-naturaltunnel.pdf
|Activities=Hiking, Boating, Biking, Geocaching, Camping, Horses, Fishing, Caving, Hunting
|Features=Vistas, Rivers
|Park Amenities=Pools, Fast Food Grill, Sports, Picnicking, Playgrounds
|Lodging Types=Lodge/Inn/Hotel, Group Lodge, Cabins, Campground, Group Campground
|Camping Amenities=Site water, Dump station, 20 amp electrical, 30 amp electrical, 50 amp electrical, Showers, Playgrounds, Camp Store
|City=Duffield
|Area=909 acres
|Operated By=Commonwealth of Virginia
|Main Location=36.703, -82.743
}}
{{Park trail map}}


<googlemap lat="36.209377" lon="-83.409576" type="terrain" zoom="14">
__TOC__
36.209377,-83.409576,Panther Creek State Park
==Park Overview==
</googlemap>
Natural Tunnel, called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan, features the railroad passing through the 850 foot long tunnel plus  camping, swimming pool, hiking, recreated block house, and picnicking.


== 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.
== Fees, Hours, Restrictions ==
Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.


== 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 {{Park trail count}} walking trails covering {{Park trail miles}}:
{{Park trail table|Park={{PAGENAME}}}}
{|
|Trails
|Distance
|----
|[[TBD]]
|3.7 mi
|----
|[[Loop - TBA]]
|4.5 mi
|----
|}
 
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 ==
<!-- 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://friendsofpanthercreek.org/trails.htm  Friends of Panther Creek State Park trail descriptions]
[http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/gis/pdf/printmaps/panthercreek.pdf Trail map]


<!-- 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. -->
==Gallery==
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hiking]]
{{Park trail gallery|Park={{PAGENAME}}}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Stock Creek
|Trail Distance=1.03 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Gold
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Cabin
|Trail Distance=0.50 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Yellow
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Carter Log Cabin
|Trail Distance=0.13 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Green
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Gorge Ridge
|Trail Distance=0.27 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Yellow
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Lover’s Leap
|Trail Distance=0.36 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Blue
|Trail Highlight=Partially accessible
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Tunnel Hill
|Trail Distance=0.54 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Orange
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Tunnel
|Trail Distance=0.27 mi
|Difficulty=Hard
|Trail Marking=Green
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Virginia Birding And Wildlife
|Trail Distance=0.70 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Red
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Cave
|Marker Title=The Natural Tunnel
|Marker Description=Accessible entrance
|Marker Location=36.702455,-82.744481
}}

Latest revision as of 22:10, 19 December 2019

Natural Tunnel State Park
Park Type State Park
Located Duffield, Virginia
External Links Official Website

Official Trail Map

Entrance Fee Unknown
ActivitiesThings to do at the park HikingBoatingBikingGeocachingCampingHorsesFishingCavingHunting
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park PoolsFast Food GrillSportsPicnickingPlaygrounds
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park VistasRivers
Park Trails

9 Trails / Total of 5.75 miles9.254 km <br />

Lodging Types Lodge/Inn/HotelCabinsCampgroundGroup Campground
Group Lodge
Camping Amenities

Site waterDump station20 amp electrical30 amp electrical50 amp electricalShowersPlaygroundsCamp Store

Park Area 909 acres3.679 km² <br />
Operated By Commonwealth of Virginia
Main Location 36° 42' 10.80" N, 82° 44' 34.80" W Map
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Download KML / Upload new version / KML File Page

Park Overview[edit]

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

How to get there[edit]

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.

Fees, Hours, Restrictions[edit]

Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.

Trails[edit]

Natural Tunnel State Park has 9 walking trails covering 5.75 miles:

Park Trails Distance Difficulty Marking Usage Highlight
Purchase Ridge 1.95 mi Easy

ATVBikingDogs
CabinThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Easy Yellow
Carter Log CabinThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.13 mi Easy Green
Gorge RidgeThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.27 mi Medium Yellow
Lover’s LeapThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.36 mi Medium Blue Partially accessible
Stock CreekThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.03 mi Medium Gold
TunnelThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.27 mi Hard Green
Tunnel HillThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.54 mi Medium Orange
Virginia Birding And WildlifeThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.70 mi Medium Red

Gallery[edit]





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