Shot Tower Historical State Park
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| Photo Credit:Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
Shot Tower Historical State Park has a history hundreds of years old.
The 75 foot shot tower the park is named for was built in the 1800s, as a place for early settlers to make ammunition for their firearms.
The settlers would melt lead from a nearby mine on top of the tower. The melted lead was poured through a sieve and would fall the length of the tower, and then an additional 75 feet into a kettle of water.
The long drop was necessary to mold the lead into a round shot of ammunition. The kettle served as a cushion for the lead.
When the ammunition cooled, it was taken out of the kettle and sold on the market.
Today, visitors to the park can go inside the tower and learn more about the lives of these settlers.
Location
Shot Tower State Park overlooks the New River in the southwestern region of Virginia.
The park is located in the town of Foster Falls. Foster Falls is home to the African American Heritage Museum and the New River Trail State Park.
Shot Tower State Park is a six and a half hour drive from northern Virginia, and about five hours from Richmond.
The park is a one and a half hour drive from Richmond.
Shot Tower State Park is a part of the New River Trail State Park.
Amenities
The tower itself is open on weekdays from dawn to dusk. Occassionally, the tower is open on weekends as well.
Group tours can be arranged by calling the park’s office, 276-699-6778.
Visitors to Shot Tower can also enjoy a day of hiking at New River Trail State Park. The park stretches 57 miles along and abandoned railroad.
The trail provides opportunity for hiking, running, and biking. The trail goes through two tunnels, over three major bridges, and across thirty other small bridges and trestles.
The trail can be accessed by hikers at the Shot Tower.
Shot Tower State Park does not offer boating or fishing, but both can be accessed at New River Trail State Park.
Shot Tower State Park does not have a designated swimming area. However, tubing along the New River is a popular activity among visitors to the park.
Overnight Accommodations
For overnight guests, primitive camping is available .2 miles down the road from the Shot Tower.
The campsites are tent only, with no room for vehicles. Cars must be parked remotely.
The campsites do not offer bathhouses or showers.
Shot Tower Historical State Park is a great place to learn about history and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
Leesylvania State Park
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| Photo Credit:Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
Located in Prince William County in Northern Virginia, Leesylvania State Park is easy to get to for city and country dwellers alike.
From Washington, D.C., the park is a mere forty minute drive, making it a restful escape for residents in and surrounding the nation’s capital.
The park, located along the Potomac river, is rich with history. Captain John Smith is said to have visited this area in 1608, and the land was home to Native Americans for hundreds of years.
Leesylvania State Park is also the home of the Lee and Fairfax families.
Amenities
Fishing is ample at this state park. The Potomac river is supplied with a large amount of largemouth bass, catfish, and perch.
The park has a fishing pier stretching over 300 feet. A valid fishing license from Virginia or Maryland is required to fish.
Leesylvania State Park also has a boating ramp. Canoes, kayaks, and motorboats are all permitted along the river.
The park offers year round boat storage, across from the marina.
The park is equipped with four large picnic shelters. Each of the shelters are available for rent, and can be reserved by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
Shelters can be rented from 8:00 a.m until dark.
With permission from the park, weddings, worship services, and conferences can be held at the picnic shelters.
Amplification equipment is not permitted in the park shelters.
The park has a half mile of shoreline along the river, but swimming is not permitted due to boat traffic.
Walking and wading along the river are allowed.
For avid hikers, the park offers five trails. These trails educate hikers about both nature and the park’s history.
Many of the trails have overlooks, which offer scenic views of the Potomac. One overlook is located on the remains of a Civil War Confederate gun battery at Freestone Point.
Several of the trails are wheelchair accessible, including Bushey Point Trail.
From April to October, a park store is open and in operation. The store’s snack bar offers pizza, ice cream, sandwiches, and cold drinks. Souvenirs, t-shirts, groceries, and marine gasoline and oil are also available in the shop.
The park is also equipped with a visitor’s center. The center features natural and historical exhibits.
Guided canoe, kayak, and hiking tours are available for those wanting to learn more about the park’s rich history.
Overnight Accommodations
The park offers a tents-only primitive campground for overnight guests.
This campground is available only to groups. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
The campground offers a firepit, picnic tables, and nearby restrooms.
Hungry Mother State Park
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| Hungry Mother State Park, Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
Hungry Mother State Park has a story as unique as its name.
Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, Native Americans in southwestern Virginia were destroying settlements along the New River. Molly Marley and her toddler child survived.
As they wandered through the woods, they had little more than berries to eat, and eventually Molly collapsed from exhaustion and hunger.
The toddler kept walking until he could find help, explaining the situation with only two words, “hungry mother”.
When the search party finally found Molly, she had died by the stream where she had collapsed.
Today, the creek is named Hungry Mother Creek.
Location
The park is located in Smyth County, about two hours from Roanoke.
Hungry Mother State Park is five hours from Richmond, and six hours from both Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach.
Amenities
Hungry Mother State Park has a variety of landscape: woodlands, beach, and a lake sprawling across 108 acres.
The lake has a supply of largemouth, smallmouth, hybrid, and spotted bass. The lake is also populated with carp, sunfish, and catfish.
Fishing is permitted with a valid Virginia fishing license. A fishing pier is located next to the beach area.
Canoes, paddleboats, and kayaks can be rented from the boat house between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Rentals can be made on weekends through October, weather permitting.
Hungry Mother State Park has more than five miles of hiking and bicycle trails, open year round.
The park has three picnic shelters, all of which can be reserved by calling the Reservation Center 1800-933-PARK.
Each shelter has a charcoal grill, picnic tables, a fireplace, electricity, lights, and access to restrooms.
Overnight Facilities
Hungry Mother State Park has cabins, lodges, and campsites available for overnight accommodations.
The Camp Burson campground, located just before the entrance to Hungry Mother State Park proper, accommodate tents, pop-up campers, and RVs.
Two of the three campsites in the Burson campground have electric and water hookups.
Swimming is free for overnight guests.
Cabins are available for rent on a weekly basis. Weekly rentals start on Saturdays and Sundays.
All cabins have a kitchen with utensils, a stove, a coffeemaker, and dish towels.
Cabins also have a living room, bedrooms, with linen sets, fireplaces, picnic tables, and a charcoal grill.
The Hungry Mother Lodge is a six bedroom lodge that sleeps up to 15 people, making it a great place for reunions and family get togethers.
The lodge has six bedrooms, a porch, washer and dryer, gas grill and fireplace, horseshoe pits, and a large deck. The kitchen has a refrigerator, a coffeemaker, dishes, and utensils.
Guests should bring their own food and extra bath towels.
Holliday Lake State Park
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| Photo Credit:Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation> |
Located in the
heart of the Appomattox- Buckingham State Forest, Holliday lake is equipped with picnic tables, grills, fishing and swimming areas, and a hiking trail- everything needed for a memorable day outdoors.
Location
Holliday Lake State Park is located in Central Virginia, just twelve miles from the Appomattox Courthouse National Park.
The park is a two hour drive from Richmond, a four hour drive from Virginia Beach, and a three and a half hour drive from Northern Virginia.
Amenities
Holliday Lake is known for its ample supply of largemouth bass fishing. Fair chan pickerel and yellow perch can also be found in the lake.
Fishing is permitted with a valid fishing licence. Licences can be purchased in the park during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.).
Boating is also permitted on the lake. Boat rentals are available from the first week in April through the last weekend in October.
Rowboats, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks can all be rented from the boat house.
Boat launching is available on the lake. Boats with gas motors are not permitted.
The Sunfish Aquatic Trail provides boaters with a trail on the water, complete with numbered stops and information about the environment along the way.
For land lovers, the park is equipped with five hiking trails. Lakeshore Trail, 6.3 miles in length, loops around the lake.
Picnic shelters are located near the lake and swimming beach. Shelters are equipped with picnic tables and grills.
A restroom is located nearby.
Shelter 2 has wheelchair accessibility.
Picnic Shelters can be reserved by calling the Reservation Center, 1-800-933-7275.
Overnight Accommodations
Holliday Lake State Park has a variety of available overnight accommodations.
Laurel Ridge and Redbud campgrounds both have electric and water hookups. They accommodate both tents and RVs.
Every site has a grill, picnic table, and a lantern post. Two vehicles can be accommodated per site.
Firewood is available for purchase at the park. Visitors are asked not to bring their own firewood into the park.
Boat launching and swimming are free for campers.
For large groups or family reunions, the group camping area is available.
The group camping area can accommodate up to 30 people. This is a tent only camping area, as the site does not have water or electric hookups.
A large shared grill is available in the group camping area.
The camping lodge is another option for overnight accommodation. Those staying at the camping lodge must book a minimum of two nights.
With seven bunkbeds, the lodge can sleep up to 14 people. Linens and pillows are not provided.
The lodge has a refrigerator, a coffeemaker, and a microwave. The outdoor deck has a fire ring, a water spigot, and a picnic shelter.
Lodge guests use the tent campground bath house, which is located nearby.
Grayson Highlands State Park
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| Photo Credit: Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
Grayson Highlands State Park offers some of the most beautiful views in all of Virginia state parks.
Thanks to the fact that the park is nestled close to Mount Rogers and Whitetop Mountain – two of the tallest in the entire state – visitors can be assured to have the opportunity to see amazing sunrises and other unforgettable sights.
The park is surrounded by Jefferson National Forest, so you will have access not only the Grayson Highlands trails, but to those in the National Forest as well. Additionally, access to the Appalachian Trail and the Highland horse trails is also provided.
This 4822-acre park boasts miles of hiking trails. Those who enjoy these trails will be rewarded by amazing views as some of trails end at a waterfall or picturesque overlook.
History buffs will want to take the trail that leads to an authentic pioneer cabin that is more than 200 years old. The cabin gives you just a glimpse into what life may have been like for early settlers.
You’ll find many things to do at this park including hiking, mountain biking and fishing. The park sits alongside wild trout streams, so you can expect a good catch. Guided canoe trips are available from late spring through summer.
This park is a favorite with those who enjoy bringing their horses along. Grayson Highlands offers equestrian trails and has both covered and uncovered stalls available.
Overnight horse facilities are available, but you must bring your own hay and water bucket.
Overnight facilities at this state park include campsites and a bunkhouse.
The bunkhouse is quite primitive and linens are not provided. Grayson Highlands has a visitor’s center and many special programs and events take place here throughout the year.
The Grayson Highlands Fall Festival and the Albert Hash Memorial Festival are two examples of the annual events held here.
Pack up family, four-legged friends and camping gear and head to Grayson Highlands State Park – 4822 acres of beauty.
Grayson Highlands State Park Basics
Handicap accessible: Some areas including some trails, bathrooms and the visitor center are accessible.
To reach Grayson Highlands take I-81 to exit 45 and then go south on route 16. Go 33 miles to US 58. Take a right onto 58 and reach the park’s entrance in about 8 miles.
Pets are allowed, and must be on a leash. There is an extra fee for pets that stay overnight.
For more information about Grayson Highlands State Park call 276-783-5196.
High Bridge Trail State Park
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| Photo credit: Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
High Bridge Trail State Park is not a typical state park. Visitors will not find overnight facilities or a wide variety of activities, but what they will find is enough to keep them coming back.
Until 2004, the 30-mile stretch of land that is now the park was a well-used railway passage. Two years after the last train chugged through, Norfolk Southern Railroad donated the land to the state of Virginia to be used for recreation.
The result is a unique park that offers level trails that extend for more than 30 miles. The trails are popular for hiking, cycling and horseback riding.
Because the trails are, for the most part, level, the trails are easy for many people to navigate.
The highlight of the park is the High Bridge. Trains once passed over this bridge, which rises more than 125 feet above the Appomattox River.
The bridge has been reconfigured to accommodate those using it for hiking, cycling and equestrian purposes.
High Bridge, which is 2,400 feet long, offers amazing views and is a unique feature among Virginia state parks. The chance to walk or ride along this piece of history is reason enough to pay this park a visit.
While there are no overnight facilities at High Bridge Trail, visitors can find overnight options nearby.
High Bridge Trail Park does host several special events throughout the year including a 5K race, a Memorial Day History Walk and guided astronomy programs.
A few times throughout the year, park guides help provide access to those who are mobility impaired.
Because this park is situated along – and above – the Appomattox River, many visitors find that the fishing here is quite good.
Visitors should bring their fishing pole, bike, horse and/or walking shoes and get ready to enjoy one of the most unique offerings in the Virginia State Park system.
High Bridge Trail State Park Basics
Handicap accessible: Some of the High Bridge Trail State Park’s trails may be navigable by some wheelchairs. Note that not all of the parking lots are wheelchair accessible. Call the number below for more specific accessibility information.
High Bridge Trail State Park runs through several counties and towns including: Cumberland, Nottaway, Prince Edward, Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect and Rice.
Entrances can be found at several points including in Farmville near mileposts 146, 149 and 150, near Pamplin close to milestone 168 and in Elam near milestone 164.
Pets are allowed in the park. They must be on a leash at all times.
For more information about High Bridge Trail State Park call 434-315-0457.
Fairy Stone State Park
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| Photo Credit:Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation |
Fairy Stone State Park is a 4639-acre park, packed with all of the outdoor activities and overnight facilities necessary for an enjoyable visit.
The park is home to a 168-acre lake that is perfect for enjoying fishing, kayaking, paddle boating or canoeing. Several types of boats are available for rent. A playground located in the water.
In addition to the water activities, Fairy Stone State Park has hiking, biking, picnics and horseback riding on lovely trails.
Bring along four-legged family members as dogs are welcome. They can even stay overnight for an additional fee.
Overnight facilities include cabins and campsites. Available amenities include showers and a camp store.
Some of the cabins have views of the lake and screened in porches. Cabins also have fireplaces, and firewood is for sale in the park.
Another perk of staying at Fairy Stone State Park is the park’s close proximity to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This area is home beautiful scenery, as well as attractions, antique stores and more.
Visitors who stay overnight should be sure to venture out at least once to explore the gorgeous Blue Ridge Parkway.
Now about the park’s name: Crossed shaped stones, which some call Fairy Stones, are found in large numbers in the park. The stones were formed under great pressure.
In this case, the pressure came as the Appalachian Mountains were being formed. Another more fanciful explanation for the stones involves a legend about weeping fairies.
The legend tells that, many years before Chief Powhatan’s reign, fairies were dancing around a spring of water, playing with other woodland creatures. As they were enjoying the beautiful outdoors, an elf came with a sad message: Christ was dead.
The fairies cried many tears as they listened to the story of the cruxifiction. The tears crystallized to form the uniquely shaped stones, including the shape of the cross. While Fairy Stones are found in other spots, this park has more of them than anyplace else.
Fairy Stone State Park Basics
Overnight: Cabins and campsites are available. The park also has a conference center.
Handicap accessible: Some of the park’s trails are wheelchair accessible.
Public bathrooms: Yes
Fairy Stone State Park is located off of Interstate 81. Take route 581 to 57 and finally to route 346.
Pets are allowed in the park. They must be on a leash at all times. If staying overnight, there will be a per night pet fee.
Call 800-933-PARK for reservations or more information.