1. Oxbow Lake Park

    1. Oxbow Lake Park

    0

    ,

    Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Oxbow Lake Park

    3.5 (2 reviews)

    Oxbow Lake Park Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Oxbow Lake Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration
    Photo of Kelly K.
    306
    2352
    1887

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris M.
    142
    21
    0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Natural Tunnel State Park - Cave signage

    Natural Tunnel State Park

    4.7(22 reviews)
    44.5 km

    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.

    Wonderful park, and such friendly staff! Has a good variety of trails with different difficulty…read morelevels. Definitely stop by the park office on the way in to ask about the trails, the ranger we met was incredibly helpful and highlighted some great trails. I've been to a good few state parks, and these are some of the most friendly rangers you could find- don't be afraid to ask them questions! I highly recommend taking the chairlift- this allows you to get down to (and more importantly, back up from) the tunnel and creek easily. If you have small kids or limited mobility, definitely choose the chairlift, as the walk back up involves many stairs. If planning to bring kids: for the upper trail (Lover's Leap), I recommend age at least 7-8, maybe younger if athletic (hills and stairs) and able to listen to directions. There are fences in place, just make sure nobody will try to climb them. For the lower area (getting to ground level of the tunnel) depends on whether you use the chairlift- with the chairlift, it's accessible for young ones as the area is pretty flat with just a few steps and small humps. Without the chairlift, make sure they're old enough to be ready to climb a LOT of steps. Overall, a really nice park with great rangers. Especially nice with the holiday lights!

    Photos
    Natural Tunnel State Park - View from the chairlift.

    View from the chairlift.

    Natural Tunnel State Park - Natural Tunnel

    Natural Tunnel

    Natural Tunnel State Park - Bolling Cave

    See all

    Bolling Cave

    Virginia Creeper Trail

    Virginia Creeper Trail

    4.8(45 reviews)
    37.3 km

    Love riding the Virginia Creeper Trail. Most people ride it from Whitetop Mountain down to…read moreDamascus, but it's just as enjoyable riding the section from Abingdon to Damascus, and back. Both routes offer beautiful scenery and make for a great ride. ‍

    April, 2025. We visited Abington, Virginia quite a few years ago. After discovering the Virginia…read moreCreeper Trail at that time, we promised that we'd return "someday" to bike at least part of the trail. This trail is a nationally-acclaimed Rails-to-Trails that extends for 34 miles and over 47 trestle bridges. While best known as a biking trail, it's actually a multi-use trail with bikers, walkers, stroller pushers, runners, equestrians, and more, especially near the access points. In the past, the trail started near Whitetop, went about 18 miles to the center point near Damascus, and ended in the charming town of Abingdon (or vice versa). Unfortunately, Damascus was hard hit by Hurricane Helene, and 18 trestle bridges were destroyed as well as many portions of the trail so the Whitetop to Damascus portion of the trail is currently closed. The 18-mile stretch from Damascus to Abington IS open. While there are bike rental companies, as well as shuttle services to take you to the trail's start, we brought our own bikes. We decided to ride the 8.5 mile segment from Abingdon (elevation: 2,020' to Alvarado Station (the old train stop at 1,750') and back. This "lower" section is considered a relatively easy to moderate stretch through rolling farmland and forests and over beautiful trestle bridges. As mentioned, our turning point was Alvarado Station, where we enjoyed our picnic lunch on a bench river-side. The stop also had drinks and snacks available for sale, a water refill station, restrooms, and a big, friendly dog eyeing our lunches! The trail is wide in most areas, and is very well-maintained. There are multiple access points with parking lots, information kiosks, regular mileage markers, benches, photo ops, and some restrooms. In a relatively recent development, e-bikes are now allowed on the trail. With its restaurants, breweries, shops, local theater, and more, make some extra time to visit Abingdon!

    Photos
    Virginia Creeper Trail - The Spouse...at the start.

    The Spouse...at the start.

    Virginia Creeper Trail - Wildflowers

    Wildflowers

    Virginia Creeper Trail

    See all

    Oxbow Lake Park - parks - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...