Natural Tunnel State Park sits at approximately 1,600 feet elevation in southwestern Virginia, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowland areas. The region features heavily wooded terrain with limestone formations and running waterways that create diverse camping environments. Cabin accommodations near Coeburn typically remain open year-round, with peak season extending from April through October when daytime temperatures average 70-85°F.
What to do
Chairlift experience at Natural Tunnel: Take the chairlift down to view the 850-foot natural tunnel that carries an active railroad through the mountain. A camper noted, "There's a trail to the tunnel. It is a great hike and even better when you use the ski lift going up." The chairlift operates weekends only during some seasons, so check operating hours before planning your visit.
Explore hiking trails: Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping offers access to well-maintained trails connecting to the main park features. A visitor mentioned, "Took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked. Also, went and checked out the natural tunnel via chairlift."
Fishing and water recreation: Little Oak Campground provides excellent fishing opportunities on South Holston Lake. As one camper reported, "The campground has plenty of room and space for your truck/boat/trailer. The view of the lake was unbeatable." The lake is known for trout, bass, and walleye fishing throughout the summer months.
Educational activities: Learn about local geology and history through ranger-led programs at several parks. A visitor to Breaks Interstate Park commented, "This is a very well maintained park, with many hiking and overlook opportunities. White tail deer are frequent, and very tame."
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Many cabin campers appreciate the clean, modern bathroom facilities. A visitor to Breaks Interstate Park Campground noted, "Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Lots of hot water and water pressure in the showers. There is a pool and waterpark on site, and a gift shop and camp store."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers excellent wildlife observation, especially deer sightings. As one camper reported, "White tail deer are frequent, and very tame." Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities from cabin porches or quiet trails.
Cabin amenities: Natural Tunnel State Park Cabins receive high marks for cleanliness and comfort. One visitor to the primitive camping area mentioned, "The other two campgrounds looked nice, with big, fancy bathhouses. And the cabins, wow, fancy!"
Restaurant options: Some parks provide on-site dining. A visitor observed about Breaks Interstate Park, "They also have a restaurant in the park that has some of the best food I have ever ate."
What you should know
Limited services: Plan to bring supplies as stores are limited. A camper at Baileyton KOA Holiday explained, "We stayed here overnight just as a stopping point on our trip, but we were pleasantly surprised! Nice pool, very clean park, lots of things for the kids." The campground offers a small grocery store with essentials.
Weather considerations: The mountain elevation means weather can change quickly. Bring appropriate clothing for temperature variations between day and night, especially in spring and fall. Evening temperatures can drop 20-30 degrees from daytime highs.
Water access: Many campsites require walking to water sources. One camper at Natural Tunnel's primitive sites noted, "Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren't constantly going up and down the hill for water."
Reservation requirements: Most camping cabins near Coeburn require advance booking. Weekends often fill 2-3 months in advance during summer, while weekday availability remains better, especially in shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Bristol-Kingsport KOA offers family-friendly amenities. A visitor mentioned, "They have cabins, a nice pool, a blob, lots of outdoor activities, playground area, horse shoes, even with it being a smaller KOA Campground there is a lot to do."
Activity scheduling: Many parks offer weekend programming specifically for children. One visitor to Baileyton KOA noted, "This place is very kid-friendly yet quiet! Pool is salt-water so no chlorine smell. Playground is away from most camp sites and has a tire swing and small set up. They have activities planned lots on the weekend."
Cabin selection: Consider cabin location relative to playgrounds and bathhouses when booking with children. Sites closer to facilities reduce walking distance for younger family members but may experience more foot traffic and noise.
Food service options: Some campgrounds offer food service. A visitor reported about Baileyton KOA, "Hand dipped ice cream is available along with freshly made pizza and wings if you don't want to cook."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. A visitor to Breaks Interstate Park cautioned, "The roads to this amazing State Park are two lane and twisting. We have a 38' 5er and a CrewCab Dually tow vehicle. We didn't have a lot of issues getting here but it is quite mountainous with a lot of climbs."
Site selection: Choose sites based on size requirements. The same visitor noted, "Be careful when choosing a site as some are challenging to get into with larger units. We had a pull through which was big enough for our rig."
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven sites at some campgrounds. One RVer observed, "We stayed in a pull through site and it was not very level (we had planned to not even unhook from the truck but had to bc of this)."
