The best camping near Natural Tunnel State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Natural Tunnel adventure.

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As tall as a city high rise, this natural cave has been attracting sightseers for over 100 years.

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Community favorites near Natural Tunnel State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Natural Tunnel State Park

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Natural Tunnel Campground

12 sites · RVs, Tents In Natural Tunnel State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Natural Tunnel State Park

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10 acres on the Clinch River,

5 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Duffield, VA

Learn more about this land:Camp on the beautiful Clinch River in front of the famous Copper Creek Viaduct Bridge with picnic table and fire pit. Fish, Swim, Tubing, and Tanning

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Morning Star's Mountain View

5 sites · RVs, Tents93 acres · Church Hill, TN

Morning Star Homestead is nestled in the Appalachian Mountains with elevation see 3 states. Secluded and quiet. The valley is named for the Carter family that once lived in the area.

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Posh Mtn Camping w/Theater Hot-Tub

28 sites · Lodging, Tents25 acres · Jonesville, VA

About this space Enjoy amped up camping at this at this posh mountain escape! Here you can reconnect with nature outdoors while luxury furnishings and full amenities provide all the comforts of home inside a spacious, pet-friendly camper. Add in an epic outdoor entertaining area featuring a theater with 120” screen, hot tub, griddle, firepit, and deck and you have the ultimate camping adventure. Bonus – the site is located on 25 acres in the VA mountains with views of KY and TN! The space This pet-friendly, luxury camping experience is ideal for everything from weekend getaways to extended mountain sojourns. The camper’s interior is packed with all the necessities required for a comfortable stay: a full kitchen with Keurig coffee machine, hot and cold-water sink, microwave, refrigerator, stove, oven; large dining booth; comfy seating area; full bathroom with shower tub combo; 2 private bedrooms; A/C, heat; a flat screen Smart TV with streaming capabilities; and expansive windows that fill the interior with natural light. Outdoors is the ultimate entertainer’s paradise. Relax in the hot tub and enjoy theatre under the stars on the 120” elevated screen that can be seen from the entire site. Start mornings off with coffee and the smell of bacon sizzling on the outdoor griddle and end the days with a cold one from the kegerator. Every guest receives all the fixings needed for S’mores to roast on the firepit, and complimentary wood is provided that can also be used to cook up delicious meals on the classic campsite grill. With views for miles, wildlife sightings, and proximity to major area attractions, a stay here is without a doubt the best way to effortlessly experience the exciting world of “camping with benefits”!

Clinch River Primitive Camp Site

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Duffield, VA

This is a primitive camp site along the beautiful Clinch River in Scott County VA. Bank access to the river provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking and floating on the river. Located a short drive from the Natural Tunnel State Park and The Devil’s Bathtub. Enjoy a quiet river view surrounded by beautiful mature trees.

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Swinging Bridge

15 sites · Tents69 acres · Duffield, VA

Swinging Bridge is 69 acres of beautiful land that fronts almost a mile of an amazing stretch of the Clinch River. This river is great for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. Learn more about this land:There is a swinging bridge crossing the river, a mile of river frontage that you can camp along the river, you can ride four wheelers. I will be putting up cabins with stalls for horses later.

Big river bend

4 sites · Tents12 acres · Gate City, VA

We have 24 extremely private acres nestled in the mountains of Scott county VA, along side the beautiful clinch river. This property has water and power hook ups for a RV along with multiple sites for those of us who like primitive camping. There is a pole barn along side the river for those family cookouts and plenty over 600’ of river front to fish and swim in.

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Riverside Camping in the Mountains!

8 sites · RVs, Tents350 acres · Blackwater, VA

Nickols farm for over 200 years. Beautiful, multiple springs, mountain hiking, North Fork of the clinch river runs through the middle of the property, swimming.Wildlife : Pheasant, turkey, black bear, mink, otter, snip, hawks, bald eagles.Learn more about this land:Welcome!Come pitch a tent under the stars and enjoy camping next to the river. You are also welcome to pull up your RV or camper to the older Victorian house on the property, that we are upgrading with solar and water right now.Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to your stay!

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Mountain streams and wildlife

6 sites · RVs, Tents350 acres · Blackwater, VA

Learn more about this land:Mountain streams and wildlife. Campground is situated in Walnut Grove I have a Victorian home that has no electric or water and a good driveway located next to home for smaller RVs

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Donum Farm

5 sites · Tents135 acres · Eidson, TN

Located in Northeast Tennessee, nestled within the Appalachian Mountains, our campsite spans a vast 135-acre property, originally a dairy farm, currently undergoing restoration to reclaim its natural splendor. Of this land, 32 acres are dedicated to agriculture, while the remainder comprises woodlands, mountainous terrain, and a bog area. Campers are welcome to pitch their tents anywhere within the forested regions, excluding the hay field, which remains reserved for agricultural purposes. Our property boasts a network of established and developing rough-cut trails meandering through forests adorned with both old and new growth, along with two streams, springs, and seeps. This setup ensures a primitive camping experience, emphasizing disconnecting from the digital realm and fostering a deep connection with nature. Beyond our on-site natural wonders, our campsite enjoys proximity to various state and national parks, the Clinch River, historic Jonesborough, distilleries, and the Cherokee Lake Reservoir. For families, Gatlinburg and Dollywood are just a two-hour drive away, offering a plethora of activities ranging from hiking and boating to exploring historical landmarks. Our campsite caters to individuals seeking a remote, nature-focused retreat, ideal for relaxation, nature appreciation, and outdoor pursuits free from the distractions of modern conveniences. Site Selection: Our campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis with no designated sites. We encourage campers to choose spots that afford privacy, ensuring a sense of solitude for all. Waste Management: As part of our commitment to preserving the area's natural beauty, we request campers to bring a camp toilet. Waste disposal facilities are available at the campground entrance for proper disposal.

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Creeping Thyme Forest

7 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Abingdon, VA

Early settlers of this area were mainly Scotch-Irish and there are several dominant family names that still populate these areas. Tobacco was grown in the area for many years, but now is rarely seen. This whole valley between two mountain ranges was chosen in the 1970's to be dammed and made into a reservoir for a hydroelectric power plant; however, the residents at the time formed a strong resistance, went to Washington, and eventually blocked the development, preserving its natural beauty. This land is within the Jefferson National Forest. It was owned for many years by Roy Light, owner of a nearby lumber mill, but when he passed away, his children cleared the timber and moved away. Since then, the diverse deciduous forest has regrown quickly. A rustic cabin made from salvaged hand-hewn logs was built on the site in 2014 and an alpaca farm was established; however, the owners had to move away due to employment changes. Currently, we are working on developing a perennial food forest, as well as dairy goats, and chickens.

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Wiley's Last Resort

18 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · Whitesburg, KY

Wiley's Last Resort is about a hundred acres on top of Pine Mountain in Letcher County, KY. Jim Webb aka "Wiley Quixote" purchased the property in 1996 and began restoring, developing, and naming all the nooks and crannies that make up this wonderful place.

Booked 3 times

The Burroughs' Burrow

1 site · Tent1 acre · Mount Carmel, TN

When we relocated from Florida, we really wanted that vacation feel of a place to call our home. We found this cabin nestled in the background and absolutely fell in love with it! Gorgeous mountain views, a breath of fresh air, and minimal noise all around. There is a natural spring across from us that used to provide our cabin with water, and the neighbors all around have worked together to keep the area as clean and peaceful as possible for everyone! We have spent a year remodeling our cabin and starting our new country life. Come join us and see for yourself!Learn more about this land:Join us at what we call our little slice of Heaven! Our property will definitely make you feel relaxed and at one with nature and the great outdoors, but rest assured we have close access to shopping and restaurants all within a quick 10-20 minute drive depending on where you need to go. We have plenty of wildlife for you to enjoy both during the day and at night. If you'd like to take a walk down our dirt roads, you are more than welcome to enjoy our little creek and the local animals that come to visit. If you are looking to hike, we have several places nearby we recommend! There are a few parks within approximately a 30 minute drive of us. Some of our favorites to visit are Natural Tunnel, Devil's Bathtub, Laurel Run, Bays Mountain, and Blue Hole. Only 1.5 hours away from the Pigeon Forge/Gaitlinburg area! We are located about 2 hours from Knoxville airport, and only 20 minutes from Bristol airport. We are located off of 2 private drives with only 4 houses off both roads! While a 4x4 vehicle is not required to get up our driveway, please use caution when coming up our gravel road as there are rocks and dips along the way. We have limited parking in our driveway, so please be mindful of other guests arriving and leaving. There is a communal fire ring and charcoal grill available for use, but please bring your own supplies. Feel free to set up your tent anywhere in the front or side yard! We are currently staying in the cabin on the property as we are remodeling the inside at this time. Our cabin is not available for rent at this time, but all guests are welcome to use the downstairs commodities. We live very conservatively, so we may not have many amenities, but you will feel very welcome and at peace at our property. Please do not feed or handle any of our animals without asking us beforehand. At any given time, we have 2 dogs, 4 cats, and a flock of chickens roaming around the property. While all of our animal family is more than spoiled and usually looking for extra treats from newcomers, please use caution around our roosters! They're job is to protect our property, and if you're in need of a morning wake up call, have no worries as the boys will undoubtedly provide you with the songs of their people.

The best camping near Natural Tunnel State Park guide

Overview

About

This natural tunnel was called the Eighth Wonder of the World by William Jennings Bryan. Standing at 10 stories tall, the geological wonder formed over a million years ago. Groundwater bearing carbonic acid percolated up through the limestone, slowly dissolving it. A creek diverted into this underground chasm, further eroding the rock to form the tunnel you see today.

The natural cave is so large, it has served as an active railroad tunnel since 1894. On the 3rd Saturday of every July, the trains stop, allowing park visitors to walk through the 850-foot long tunnel. On other days, you can take a chair lift down to the viewing area at the bottom of the gorge.

The surrounding 900-acre park is great for hiking in solitude. For a stunning view, climb Lovers Leap Trail to the scenic overlook 300 feet above the gorge. Two campgrounds offer sites with electric hook-ups and access to the pool. But the large cabins are awfully tempting, as are the adorable yurts constructed in 2017.

Notable campgrounds

Cove View Campground - Offers shaded and sunny sites with electric and water hookups, perfect for tents or RVs up to 38 feet.
Lover's Leap Campground - Features back-in sites with electric and water hookups, accommodating tents, pop-ups, and RVs up to 50 feet.
Primitive Camping - Provides a rustic experience with tent pads and a common area with a fire ring, for those seeking a more traditional camping adventure.

Tips for snagging a campsite

Book early, as reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance, ensuring your spot in this sought-after natural haven.
Consider visiting during the off-peak season for greater availability and a chance to enjoy the park's tranquility.
Keep an eye on cancellation policies, as last-minute openings can provide unexpected opportunities for a stay.
Explore nearby camping options to maximize your chances of securing a site during busy times or if the park is fully booked.

When to go

The best time to visit Natural Tunnel State Park is from May through October, when the chairlift operates and full access to the tunnel is available. Winter offers a unique, serene beauty, but some facilities may be closed, and the chairlift is not operational.

Know before you go

Check the park's operating hours, which are from 8am to dusk, to plan your visit accordingly.
Be aware that the chairlift and some facilities have seasonal hours or may be closed for maintenance.
Accessibility is a priority, with features like an accessible chairlift and designated parking for guests with disabilities.
Remember to bring all necessary supplies, as cabins do not provide linens, and amenities vary.
Pets are welcome in certain areas, but be prepared to pay an additional fee and follow park regulations.