Duffield city centre is the central area of Duffield, a town in Scott County, Virginia. Natural Tunnel State Park makes a destination for a drive outside town.
- Duffield is in Scott County, Virginia.
- The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk.
Getting Oriented in Duffield
Duffield is a town in Scott County, Virginia. Its centre is close on foot, while Natural Tunnel State Park is a separate destination for a drive.
The Daniel Boone Wilderness Trail Interpretive Center is a satellite facility of the state park at 371 Technology Trail Lane in Duffield. You can visit its museum, library, conference room, gift shop and outdoor classroom.
Walking Around the Centre
Planning Local Drives
Natural Tunnel State Park is about eight minutes by car from Travel Inn. If you are driving from I-81, take U.S. 23 North toward Gate City. Turn at mile marker 17.4 on Route 23, then continue about one mile east on Natural Tunnel Parkway. For a stay that pairs Duffield with a park visit, see Travel Inn.
The park is about 13 miles north of Gate City and 20 miles north of Kingsport, Tennessee. If you are arriving through Tri-Cities Regional TN/VA Airport, plan your route to Duffield as part of your trip.
Pairing Duffield with Natural Tunnel State Park
Natural Tunnel State Park combines a geological feature with outdoor facilities and trails. The tunnel is more than 850 feet long and 100 feet high inside; it formed through a limestone ridge over thousands of years.
The park covers 909 acres and includes picnic areas, two campgrounds, cabins, a visitor center, a camp store, a gift shop, an amphitheater, the Wilderness Road historic area and a chairlift. The Tunnel Trail is 0.27 miles, Stock Creek Trail is 1.03 miles and Purchase Ridge Trail is 2.07 miles.
You can choose a trail length that suits your plans, but note that motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails. Electric wheelchairs and qualifying electric scooters are allowed, though most trails are mountainous and ill-suited for their use.
There is no restaurant in the park, and the nearest grocery store is in Duffield, about five miles away. The self-guided tunnel tour requires the standard parking or admission fee, with no extra fee or registration requirement. For more on what to expect, read what to know before visiting Natural Tunnel State Park.
Practical Stops and Visitor Information
Natural Tunnel State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to dusk. The park office is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; the visitor center is open Friday–Monday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Hours can change, so check the official site before you go.
The chairlift runs seven days a week from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, and on weekends from the first weekend in May through the last full weekend of October; contact the park for operating hours.
Guided Clinch River canoe and kayak trips are seasonal Saturday and Sunday offerings, subject to weather and river conditions, and require reservations. You’ll need to reserve a place if you plan to join a trip.
FAQs
Where is Duffield?
Duffield is a town in Scott County, Virginia.
How do you drive to Natural Tunnel State Park from I-81?
Take U.S. 23 North toward Gate City, turn at mile marker 17.4 on Route 23, then continue about one mile east on Natural Tunnel Parkway.
Does Natural Tunnel State Park have food service?
There is no restaurant in the park. The nearest grocery store is in Duffield, about five miles away.