Pure Tunnel State Park preserves the south finish of an 850-foot-long naturally carved tunnel. Guests discover the sumptuous nature surrounding the lively railroad tunnel for eleven months of the yr. However the tunnel is surrounded by 1000’s of Christmas lights, bonfires, and dwell music for one month.
It’s the annual Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel and one in every of Virginia’s most unusual vacation mild shows.
The particular occasion is a uncommon alternative to see the quirky tunnel at evening. Using the chair carry in darkness to the underside of the gorge is exhilarating. Then, stroll by a tunnel of lights to a festive get together with a bonfire, s’mores, and dwell music.
Right here’s every thing it’s worthwhile to learn about visiting the annual Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel at Pure Tunnel State Park in Duffield, Virginia.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Map
Easy methods to use this map: Click on the icon within the top-left nook to open the Map Legend, then click on on any of the legend objects to show extra data. In case you have a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s identify to save lots of this map to your account, then entry the map out of your smartphone throughout your journey.
Pure Tunnel State Park
Pure Tunnel State Park shouldn’t be confused with Pure Bridge State Park – each in Virginia. Pure Tunnel State Park opened in 1971 to protect the tunnel’s south finish and interpret native historical past.
One million years in the past, a small creek started eroding the limestone and dolomite. Ultimately, Inventory Creek bore an 850-foot-long pure tunnel by the limestone ridge. In 1893, the South Atlantic and Ohio Railroad took benefit of the pure tunnel and constructed a freight and passenger monitor by it.
At this time, the tunnel is owned by Norfolk Southern and utilized by CSX to move coal.
Guests to Pure Tunnel State Park can stroll the 0.27-mile Tunnel Path (bookmark on AllTrails) to the underside of the gorge. The path features a wood boardwalk throughout the railroad tracks to a spectacular view on the tunnel’s south finish. Then, stroll the 0.13-mile Carter Cabin Path to go to a historic cabin moved to the park within the Nineteen Nineties.
Professional Journey Tip
Strolling by the tunnel is forbidden and harmful as a result of it’s an lively railroad. Verify with the state park’s customer heart concerning the present practice schedule – chances are you’ll wish to go to when a practice passes by the tunnel or keep away from it throughout that point.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Schedule in 2023
The Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel runs from 6 p.m. till 10 p.m. each Friday and Saturday evening from November 24 till December 23, 2023.
Right here is the whole schedule for 2023:
- November 24, 2023 – Present a Pal a Raise Evening
- November 25, 2023
- December 1, 2023 – Youngsters Craft Evening
- December 2, 2023
- December 8, 2023 – Ugly Sweater Evening
- December 9, 2023
- December 15, 2023 – Embellish a Cookie Evening
- December 16, 2023
- December 22, 2023 – Christmas Character Costume Evening
- December 23, 2023
The primary evening of Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel is themed “Present a Pal a Raise.” Guests can experience the chairlift at no cost throughout the one-night particular after donating two or extra non-perishable meals objects. The collected meals goes to a neighborhood meals financial institution and shelter.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Tickets
There isn’t any price for attending the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. Nonetheless, there’s a $5 parking price that covers transport from the Cove Ridge Heart to the customer heart.
Using the chairlift one-way is $4 per particular person, and roundtrip is $5. Nonetheless, you may stroll the 0.27-mile Tunnel Path with out paying a price. The path descends 245 toes to the gorge under – it’s a hefty hike again to the customer heart.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
The Christmas Lightning of the Tunnel is an annual occasion that options 1000’s of Christmas lights, animated shows, dwell music, and bonfires for roasting s’mores. It’s a family-friendly occasion and ideal for a date evening.
Lights beautify the handrails, arch over the wood boardwalk close to the tunnel, and cling from timber overhead. The towering 10-story cliff wall beside the tunnel’s entrance is lit with a yuletide inexperienced.
One strategy to resolve the gorge is the 0.27-mile Tunnel Path (Bookmark on AllTrails). The paved path is steep, descending 245 toes in two-tenths of a mile. Animated mild shows on each side of the path give guests one thing enjoyable to take a look at throughout the downward trek.
The simplest strategy to resolve the gorge is a experience on the chairlift. Rides value $4 per particular person one-way or $5 per particular person roundtrip. The experience takes about 10 minutes. Using the chairlift by the darkness is exhilarating, however you may as well see the animated shows under.
Stroll the 0.13-mile Carter Cabin Path to go to the historic log cabin. Members of the Daniel Boone Wilderness Path Affiliation costume in interval clothes and inform tales of Christmas in 1775 – the yr generally believed to be when the cabin was constructed. A roaring fireplace retains guests heat contained in the one-room cabin.
A big statement deck close to the tunnel’s entrance turns into a vigorous get together throughout Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. Dwell music fills the chilly air every evening. A bonfire fights off the chilliness and supplies guests with a marshmallow-roasting alternative for s’mores. Convey your personal substances or purchase them from a vendor together with sizzling chocolate and sizzling apple cider.
Accessibility on the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Excellent news! The Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel is handicap accessible. Nevertheless it takes some effort to see the spectacular Christmas mild show.
Handicap parking is out there on the customer heart. The chair carry is accessible, and the workers are effortlessly form at serving to folks get into the comfy seats. Wheelchairs are despatched down on the previous chair carry.
A wood boardwalk from the chair carry on the backside of the gorge supplies an accessible path to the tunnel’s entrance. Nonetheless, the undeveloped path to the Carter Cabin is just not accessible.
Attending to the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Pure Tunnel State Park is a distant Virginia park about 30-45 minutes from the closest interstate. Nonetheless, it’s simple to search out.
From most factors in Tennessee, take Interstate 26 north previous Kingsport. The interstate transitions right into a four-lane divided freeway shortly crossing into Virginia close to Weber Metropolis. Proceed alongside U.S. Freeway 23 by Gate Metropolis to a facet street resulting in the state park.
You’ve gone too far for those who come to a visitors mild intersection in Duffield the place U.S. Freeway 58 turns left, and U.S. Freeway 23 continues straight.
There are just a few methods to get to the park from most factors in Virginia.
Take U.S. Freeway 58 from Bristol to Weber Metropolis. This two-lane street is a curvy journey by the mountains, but it surely’s the shortest route.
Take U.S. Freeway 11W from Bristol towards Kingsport. Shortly after getting into the town, flip onto TN Freeway 93 (North John B. Dennis Freeway) and proceed to Weber Metropolis. These roads are four-lane divided highways, barely longer however sooner.
The ultimate possibility is to take Interstate 81 south to Interstate 26. This route is about 10 miles longer and solely 5 minutes slower. It’s the best route from Virginia to the state park.
After exiting U.S. Freeway 58 onto Pure Tunnel Parkway, proceed previous the park’s entrance. Solely handicapped guests park on the customer heart. After passing the park’s entrance, maintain proper onto Bishoptown Street and switch left towards the Cove Ridge Heart.
Parking on the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Solely handicapped guests park on the customer heart throughout the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. All different guests park on the Cove Ridge Heart close to the park’s campground.
It prices $5 per car for parking.
A shuttle bus picks up guests and transports them to the customer heart. When was the final time you rode a college bus? The bus runs each quarter-hour from 6 p.m. till the ultimate customer returns to their automotive.