Natural Tunnel State Park offers yurt camping near Dungannon, Virginia, in the southwestern region of the state at elevations between 1,200-1,700 feet. The park sits in the Clinch River watershed with limestone geology creating distinctive topography. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping seasons bring 50-70°F temperatures with lower humidity.
What to do
Canoeing the Clinch River: Access the river directly from Natural Tunnel State Park Campground for paddling adventures. "Canoed Clinch River, caved in the park, and took a short guided hike through Stock Creek to backside of tunnel. Highly recommend!" notes Rob J.
Caving exploration: Join ranger-led tours of the limestone formations throughout the park. Visitors can explore both the main tunnel area and additional cave features with proper guidance. "We were able to hike a couple of trails and see the natural tunnel," reports Myron C.
Mountain biking trails: Warriors' Path State Park Main Campground provides a full mountain bike trail system approximately 30 minutes from Dungannon. "The park houses an acclaimed mountain bike trail area," according to Sara M., who adds that there are "many educational activities" throughout the grounds.
Catch and release fishing: Cedar Ridge at Warriors' Path offers pond access for anglers with stocked waters. The fishing area sits adjacent to the hammock camping section. "It is a nice safe place for families. Pets welcome," notes Terri W.
What campers like
Private yurt locations: Yurt camping in Dungannon at Natural Tunnel State Park Yurts provides more secluded accommodations away from standard campsites. "Yurt itself was clean, comfortable and super spacious for just 3 people. Bear box available outside," reports Alexis R., who appreciated the separation from other sites.
Chairlift access: The seasonal weekend chairlift at Natural Tunnel provides unique access to the lower tunnel area without requiring the steep hike back up. "We loved the new cabin we rented in this beautiful park. A hiking trail ran behind the cabins, past the campground to the tunnel. It is a great hike and even better when you use the ski lift going up," Kim A. shared.
Clean facilities: Multiple campers note the well-maintained bathhouses and camping areas. "Bathhouse is very clean and an easy walk to. People can be a little loud. Easy to walk to trails and a nice little gift shop available + helpful rangers!" mentions Alexis R. about the yurt camping experience.
Rock formation access: Kingdom Come State Park Campground offers unique geological features within a 90-minute drive of Dungannon. "Our favorite is the Raven Rock trail which leads to a 450 foot 40 degree angle granite rock facing that you can climb to get an amazing view of the surrounding mountains," explains Brian B.
What you should know
Summer heat management: Yurts lack electricity and can become extremely hot during summer months. "The temperatures were in the lower 90s outside, and once we walked inside the yurt, it was like walking into an oven. The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside," warns Myron C., who advises bringing extension cords and fans during warm weather.
Accessibility challenges: Some facilities lack handrails or have uneven terrain. "One thing that my wife and I found strange was that there were handrails along the three steps to the deck around the yurt, but there were no handrails beside the rougher steps leading to the yurt," notes one visitor about Natural Tunnel's yurt accommodations.
Bear activity awareness: Multiple parks in the region require proper food storage due to bear activity. At Kingdom Come, campers appreciate that "each [site has] its own picnic table, fire ring, and pole for stashing your food away from bears," as Brian B. describes.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies throughout the region's campgrounds. "Cell coverage varies from LTE to 5G all over the park," notes Sara M. about Warriors' Path, while at Kingdom Come State Park Campground, Wyman M. reports "no service or wifi" is available.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lakeview RV Resort offers family-friendly amenities including a dedicated dog park area. "Campground sites are a bit close together but it is well maintained and has friendly staff. Wifi works well. Nice dog park," mentions Doreen M., highlighting amenities that accommodate the whole family.
Educational programming: Many parks offer ranger-led activities designed for children. At Warriors' Path, Sara M. notes they "have a full docket of activities, ranger-led hikes, games, crafts and wildlife lectures offered throughout the day."
Swimming options: Kingdom Come provides lake swimming during summer months. Brian B. reports, "If you like fishing there is a small lake which is regularly stocked with Trout, Bass, Blue Gill, Sunfish, and a few others. It's just a short walk from the campsites."
Boundless Playground: Warriors' Path features an accessible playground designed for children of all abilities. "This amazing campground has spots for tent and rv camping, hiking trails, a beautiful lake for kayaking and fishing, and a Marina where rentals are available! Park also has a Boundless Playground!" according to Natalie A.
Tips from RVers
Site selection concerns: Breaks Interstate Park Campground requires careful site selection for larger rigs. "Be careful when choosing a site as some are challenging to get into with larger units," advises Robert L., who traveled with a 38-foot fifth wheel and crew cab dually truck.
Leveling requirements: Many sites throughout the region require adjustment for uneven terrain. Michelle I. notes about Warriors' Path, "There are a lot of uneven campsites, so bring your leveling blocks."
Road access considerations: Mountain roads to some campgrounds can be challenging for large RVs. "The roads to this amazing State Park are two lane and twisting," cautions Robert L. about Breaks Interstate, adding, "Be sure to bring all necessary supplies BEFORE you get here, nearest stores are a 20 minute drive away on crooked mountain roads."
Site size verification: Always confirm actual site dimensions rather than relying solely on listed maximum lengths. "Pay attention to the site size as some RVs had issues getting their larger RVs in their sites with the road/site layout," advises Jennifer H. about Warriors' Path.
