Natural Tunnel State Park and Breaks Interstate Park offer notable luxury camping options near Fort Blackmore, Virginia. The region sits within the Ridge and Valley province of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. Camping areas typically experience cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with summer highs averaging 10-15 degrees below nearby cities.
What to do
Canoe the Clinch River: Natural Tunnel State Park provides access to the Clinch River, known for its biodiversity. "Spent the night in a tent at Lovers Leap campground. Campground and park are clean, well maintained and up to date. Canoed Clinch River, caved in the park, and took a short guided hike through Stock Creek to backside of tunnel," notes Rob J. from Natural Tunnel State Park Campground.
Explore cave systems: The limestone geology creates numerous cave formations throughout the region. "Geocached here. If you don't Geocache, never heard of it, your in for a treat. It's like treasure hunting and you get to see some sights/facts/history you may have missed otherwise," shares Shelly S. from Breaks Interstate Park Campground.
Night hiking opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led night hikes with astronomy programs during summer months. "This park has so many things to do and is fun for all ages. They have campgrounds, cabins and Yurts. There are nice hiking trails, chairlift to view the tunnel, picnic areas, swimming pool and so much more," explains Kathy L. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
What campers like
Private camping areas: Some campgrounds feature more secluded sites away from main camping areas. "We stayed in Lovers Leap Loop, site specific reservable. All these sites are roomy, but often back or butt to the next site. New super clean showerhouse with plenty of pressure and hot water," says Gary P. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
Geological features: The area contains numerous rock formations and geological points of interest. "I tent camped with a group here and the sites are very rugged and pretty far from water/bathrooms but there is a pool and the staff is very friendly and helpful," notes Erin R. from Bristol-Kingsport KOA.
Fall foliage viewing: October typically provides peak fall colors at higher elevations, with vibrant reds and oranges dominating the landscape. "This place is absolutely breathtaking. A must go. Cabins, yurts, RV camping, primitive camping. Excellently maintained. The are so many activities for everyone of all ages," shares Teresa K. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
What you should know
Summer heat considerations: Yurts and canvas structures can become extremely hot during summer months without proper ventilation. "This is the first time I have stayed in a yurt, and it was definitely a learning experience. First of all, it is a cross between a tent and a cabin, and it has no electricity, bathroom, or running water. The temperature had to be somewhere around 110 degrees inside," warns Myron C. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
Bear safety protocols: Bear activity requires proper food storage and waste disposal. "This campground in the Kingdom Come State Park has about 6 or 7 sites, and they are primitive with no running water, but good pads, picnic tables, food hangers, shade from trees, and fire rings," explains Paul H. from Kingdom Come State Park Campground.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region, particularly in valley areas. "The things one must take into consideration is that you need to bring ANYTHING you might need for groceries and there is limited cell coverage for ATT," advises Eric W. from Breaks Interstate Park.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming options: Rangers frequently offer kid-friendly nature programs throughout summer. "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!" recommends Jaren E. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
Kid-friendly camping amenities: Several parks provide playground equipment and dedicated recreation areas. "Beautiful campground. So much fun stuff for the kids to do. Great trails for hiking or biking," shares Monica S. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
Accessible trails: Many parks feature shorter, paved trails suitable for young hikers. "It is a great hike and even better when you use the ski lift going up. The tunnel is at the base of a massive rock and a train drives through it very slowly each day," explains Kim A. from Natural Tunnel State Park.
Tips from RVers
Challenging road access: Mountain roads to some parks require careful navigation with larger vehicles. "Nice Campground, once you get here. 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," cautions Robert L. from Breaks Interstate Park.
Site selection advice: Some RV sites require significant leveling due to terrain. "The campground itself is maintained better than any other state run campground I've ever been to," shares Eric W. from Breaks Interstate Park about their camping experience.
Limited supply availability: Bring necessary provisions before arrival as stores can be distant. "Be sure to bring all necessary supplies BEFORE you get here, nearest stores are a 20 minute drive away on crooked mountain roads," advises Robert L. from Breaks Interstate Park.
