Natural Tunnel State Park near Dryden, Virginia sits at an elevation of about 1,600 feet and features a 10-story natural limestone tunnel that's still used by trains today. The area experiences four distinct seasons with fall temperatures typically ranging from 45°F to 65°F. Cabin accommodations in this region range from basic amenities to full luxury setups with theater rooms.
What to do
Hiking trails: Natural Tunnel State Park offers multiple trails with varying difficulty levels. "We loved the new cabin we rented in this beautiful park. A hiking trail ran behind the cabins, past the campground to the tunnel," reports one visitor at Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping. Another camper adds, "We took advantage of some of the hiking trails, which were well maintained and marked."
Visit the natural tunnel: The centerpiece of the park can be accessed via hiking trail or chairlift. "There's a trail to the tunnel or you can take a chairlift. There's a museum, several gift shops, camp store, visitor centers," notes a camper at Natural Tunnel State Park Campground.
Water activities: Nearby rivers offer additional recreation options. A camper mentions, "We drove 2 hours to canoe the Clinch River which was great fun and we got to see a lot of the area." Another reports, "Canoed Clinch River, caved in the park, and took a short guided hike through Stock Creek to backside of tunnel."
What campers like
Cabin amenities: Camping cabins near Dryden range from rustic to luxurious. At Posh Mtn Camping, cabins feature theater rooms, hot tubs, and fire pits, providing upscale options for those seeking comfort while camping.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. "Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Lots of hot water and water pressure in the showers," notes one camper at Breaks Interstate Park Campground. Another mentions, "The cabins are very clean and relatively new."
Seasonal activities: The parks offer different experiences throughout the year. "They have concerts and lots of outdoor activities during different times of the year," shares one visitor. Another camper at Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping notes the area has "5 spots with tent pads, picnic tables, fire pit, hanging poles, and bear box."
What you should know
Primitive camping considerations: If choosing a more rustic option, prepare accordingly. "Water spigot at top, a little walk, uphill, for water. The camp store people said they are unable to use spigot nearby common shelter because it's no good. Glad we brought our large bladder so we weren't constantly going up and down the hill for water," advises a camper at Natural Tunnel State Park Primitive Camping.
Bedding requirements: Most cabins require guests to bring their own linens. A visitor at Baileyton KOA Holiday shares, "We were in site B1, 46 dollars a night," providing context for budget planning.
Limited shopping: Stock up before arrival as shopping options are limited. "Be sure to bring all necessary supplies BEFORE you get here, nearest stores are a 20 minute drive away on crooked mountain roads," warns a camper at Breaks Interstate Park.
Tips for camping with families
Pool and recreation: Multiple parks offer swimming options for families. "Great park! It's got all you need from camping to trails to swimming to even learning history about the area and the park itself! Great for the family!" shares an enthusiastic visitor.
Educational opportunities: Riverside Campground and Cabins and other area campgrounds provide opportunities to learn about local ecology. "The historical background of the state park is varied and extensive, so there are a lot of things to see within the park and surrounding the park."
Weather preparation: Summer temperatures in cabins can be extreme without air conditioning. A camper warns about staying in yurts: "The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside. Fortunately, I had two 100-foot extension cords and a fan in our car. I plugged into the closest campsite and ran the cord to the yurt."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on your RV size. "Be careful when choosing a site as some are challenging to get into with larger units," advises a camper at Breaks Interstate Park. "The roads to this amazing State Park are two lane and twisting. We have a 38' 5er and a CrewCab Dually tow vehicle."
Hookup options: Bristol-Kingsport KOA offers "50amp service and full hookup sites" according to a regular visitor. "They have several large pull through sites, as well as back in smaller sites."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared to level your rig at some campgrounds. "The campground itself isn't really all that great, prepare for some levelling. We lucked out in the B loop, as a small trail took us to see the northern lights one evening."
