We were on a long road trip and looking for spots to stop, stretch our legs, and give the kids a…read morebreak from the car. This was the perfect stop! We loved riding the chair lift down to the tunnel and, wow, what an impressive sight! The river was beautiful and our kids loved wading in just a bit to cool off before heading back up the lift. The ranger service was wonderful with lots of tips and activities for the kids to do on small, manageable hikes. The kids also enjoyed playing on the train engine displayed near the parking lot. Definitely a great spot to visit even just to ride the lift down to the tunnel and back up!

Clearly, this place is marketed to resemble Natural Bridge, Virginia's better known (and frankly,…read moremore impressive) attraction. The park here is set up with a number of camping facilities and trails that have a separate entrance, while the attraction itself is accessible by parking at a visitor center and either walking down a fairly steep trail or taking a (seasonal) chairlift. On the dreary day I visited, there was barely a soul in sight, but the park seemed to be setting up for a winter lights festival. The tunnel itself is used for a railroad line, and a viewing platform allows you to go to the edge of the tunnel but you can't actually go through it, which is disappointing. The trail downstream through the gorge is pleasant and worth a brief jaunt but it terminates quickly. Those seeking more of a hike will find the ridge trail that heads upwards worthwhile, and the views of the tunnel from above are probably at least as good as what you'd get walking up close to it. The local Lover's Leap is majestic (and horrifying, if you think about it). I did not think it one of the more impressive state parks in either Virginia or in the the confluence of states in this region, but there are some nice things to see.

Originally the site of Kelly Drug Store and the Monte Vista Hotel, some of which is still retained…read moredespite the fact that they're no longer present. This corner park is tribute to the early investors and miners who were drawn to this city for its coal and iron ore mines. The park features a gazebo / bandshell, a miner with pickax (and COVID mask!) and a few benches. There is street parking. [Review 13454 overall, 773 of 2020.]

It's a park with chairs and a stage. That's about it. Lol. It's beautiful during Christmas time…read morewith the decoration.

Beautiful hike on a cool autumn afternoon. Be sure to give yourself enough time. I started the hike…read moreabout 3 hours before sundown. I had to really move to get to the falls and back. It's 4 miles roundtrip, but you are crossing stream, climbing some rocks and it is a very uneven trail with plenty of rocks and tree roots. If you get the chance, read the Barbara Kingslover book Demon Copperhead first. It is set in the area and features the Bathtub.

I was so excited for this hike but was mildly disappointed. I went after a lot of rain so the pools…read more(there are two) were hard to make out. The water was beautiful to behold and very cold, but outside of how clear the water was it was very, average. The only thing that made this hike fun for me personally was crossing all the streams. Not a hard hike by any means but the streams do make it moderate. I would recommend going in a dryer season so you can actually see the bathtub!!! It was completely flooded/covered. Also if your dog does not LOVE water, DO NOT take him/her. Still very doable with a hydrophobic dog (mine)... p.s. the path is VERY ROCKY.

This is my favorite place to go in the summer. We drive from VA to come here quite often. The beach…read moreis beautiful white sand the bottom of the lake for the most part is not nasty and squishy. Not a whole lot of trash all over the place. A few picnic tables with shelter are there along with a small little park. The parking is good alot of area. Always remember to clean up your area and put proper flotation devices on your children. Respect others areas and stuff that they bring. Have fun

Kingdom Come State Park is my favorite nature park, and I love to return there when I can. It is…read moreKentucky's highest state park, with an elevation of 2,700 feet. The scenery of the mountains and the beauty of the forest is what really makes this a special place for me. Located in the Appalachian Mountains in Harlan County, Kingdom Come was established in 1961. Prior to its designation as a park, much of the land was subject to extensive logging and coal mining. The park's name comes from the novel titled "The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come" by John Fox Jr., published in 1903. The book tells the story of orphan Chad Buford and his journey through the hills of Kentucky into the furor of the Civil War. It was the first novel to sell a million copies in the US. The hiking trails of the park offer truly great scenic overlooks. Before you start your trip, you should get the trail map from the visitor center at the parking lot. Only foot travel is permitted on the trails, but there is Little Shepherd Trail leading to the overlooks on Pine Mountain. This road is open to cars, foot travel, and cycling. The visitor center has a gift shop and a pedal boat rental for use on the lake. The park also has two picnic shelters with grills and several picnic areas.

Apparently you can come here and see bears wandering around, lazily eating and napping all over the…read morepark. I, however, must want to see them so bad that they sense my desperation and are thus disinterested. However, that being said, the park has views for days, overlooks, and beautiful trails that interweave for different tastes. The log rock arch was impressive, and the park was so quiet and peaceful. There's a lovely mountain lake, biking or hiking opportunities, and if you're not cursed like me, the opportunity to see BEARSss!

This is a great park it has something for everyone. They have a pool, tennis courts, basketball…read morecourts, pavilions, disk golf, horse activities. It has playgrounds for all ages of kids.

This state park is near Cumberland gap. In addition to offering picnic facilities, a visitor…read morecenter, and access to a local rail trail, I was surprised to find that it also offers a historical recreation experience. I only just caught them at the end of the day, but the re-created fort was a window back into late colonial history when the nearby Cumberland gap was the route by which what is now Kentucky was settled. I chatted up some historical reenactors briefly. The mountainside aesthetics are majestic. The range of places that are under Virginia State Park control are impressive. Even as a current southwestern Virginian myself, this is at least four hours away. It is so far into the tiny little tail of Virginia. But I had driven by this area before and not stopped and I am glad I found the opportunity to do so.

The setting couldn't be more lovely! Nestled between two mountain ridges, even the drive out along…read morethe historic Daniel Boone Wilderness Road turned highway! During the warmer months, historic re-enactors demonstrate how things may have looked back in the days when settlers were gathering to attempt passage through the Cumberland Gap (nearby!) and settle the Midwest. The old fort even allows you to enter the buildings and look around! There were animals on site, and we even saw a baby bison (from a safe viewing distance along a trail of course, they aren't free range!) I was really impressed with the thatched roof in the Native American settlement, and if you can, start at the Daniel Boone Wilderness Center, then drive here to follow the historic path to the west!