Pure Tunnel State Park preserves the south finish of an 850-foot-long naturally carved tunnel. Guests discover the luxurious nature surrounding the energetic railroad tunnel for eleven months of the yr. However the tunnel is surrounded by hundreds of Christmas lights, bonfires, and reside music for one month.
It’s the annual Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel and one among Virginia’s most unusual vacation gentle shows.
The particular occasion is a uncommon alternative to see the quirky tunnel at evening. Driving the chair raise in darkness to the underside of the gorge is exhilarating. Then, stroll by way of a tunnel of lights to a festive social gathering with a bonfire, s’mores, and reside music.
Right here’s the whole lot you’ll want to find out about visiting the annual Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel at Pure Tunnel State Park in Duffield, Virginia.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Map
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 info. In case you have a Google account, click on the (very faint) star on the finish of the map’s title 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.
1,000,000 years in the past, a small creek started eroding the limestone and dolomite. Finally, Inventory Creek bore an 850-foot-long pure tunnel by way of 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 way of it.
As we speak, 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 picket 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 Nineties.
Professional Journey Tip
Strolling by way of the tunnel is forbidden and harmful as a result of it’s an energetic railroad. Test with the state park’s customer middle concerning the present prepare schedule – you might wish to go to when a prepare passes by way of 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 entire schedule for 2023:
- November 24, 2023 – Reward a Pal a Elevate Night time
- November 25, 2023
- December 1, 2023 – Children Craft Night time
- December 2, 2023
- December 8, 2023 – Ugly Sweater Night time
- December 9, 2023
- December 15, 2023 – Enhance a Cookie Night time
- December 16, 2023
- December 22, 2023 – Christmas Character Costume Night time
- December 23, 2023
The primary evening of Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel is themed “Reward a Pal a Elevate.” Guests can trip the chairlift free of charge in the course of the one-night particular after donating two or extra non-perishable meals objects. The collected meals goes to an area meals financial institution and shelter.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel Tickets
There isn’t any charge for attending the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. Nevertheless, there’s a $5 parking charge that covers transport from the Cove Ridge Heart to the customer middle.
Driving the chairlift one-way is $4 per individual, and roundtrip is $5. Nevertheless, you possibly can stroll the 0.27-mile Tunnel Path with out paying a charge. The path descends 245 ft to the gorge under – it’s a hefty hike again to the customer middle.
Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
The Christmas Lightning of the Tunnel is an annual occasion that options hundreds of Christmas lights, animated shows, reside music, and bonfires for roasting s’mores. It’s a family-friendly occasion and excellent for a date evening.
Lights beautify the handrails, arch over the picket boardwalk close to the tunnel, and dangle from timber overhead. The towering 10-story cliff wall beside the tunnel’s entrance is lit with a yuletide inexperienced.
One solution to unravel the gorge is the 0.27-mile Tunnel Path (Bookmark on AllTrails). The paved path is steep, descending 245 ft in two-tenths of a mile. Animated gentle shows on each side of the path give guests one thing enjoyable to take a look at in the course of the downward trek.
The best solution to unravel the gorge is a trip on the chairlift. Rides price $4 per individual one-way or $5 per individual roundtrip. The trip takes about 10 minutes. Driving the chairlift by way of the darkness is exhilarating, however you can too 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 commentary deck close to the tunnel’s entrance turns into a vigorous social gathering throughout Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel. Dwell music fills the chilly air every evening. A bonfire fights off the chilliness and gives guests with a marshmallow-roasting alternative for s’mores. Deliver your individual components 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 gentle show.
Handicap parking is on the market on the customer middle. The chair raise is accessible, and the workers are effortlessly variety at serving to folks get into the snug seats. Wheelchairs are despatched down on the previous chair raise.
A picket boardwalk from the chair raise on the backside of the gorge gives an accessible path to the tunnel’s entrance. Nevertheless, the undeveloped path to the Carter Cabin isn’t 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. Nevertheless, it’s straightforward to seek 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 way of Gate Metropolis to a facet street resulting in the state park.
You’ve gone too far in the event you come to a visitors gentle intersection in Duffield the place U.S. Freeway 58 turns left, and U.S. Freeway 23 continues straight.
There are a couple of 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 way of 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 middle. After passing the park’s entrance, hold proper onto Bishoptown Highway and switch left towards the Cove Ridge Heart.
Parking on the Christmas Lighting of the Tunnel
Solely handicapped guests park on the customer middle in the course of 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 middle. When was the final time you rode a faculty bus? The bus runs each quarter-hour from 6 p.m. till the ultimate customer returns to their automotive.
