Occoneechee State Park

Virginia Dept. Conservation & Recreation<

Occoneechee State Park, located on Buggs Island Lake, is named for Native Americans who lived in the area for hundreds of years.

Visitors to the park have access to 48,000 acres of fishing, as well as picnic shelters, an amphitheater, a playground, and a 15 mile round-trip multi purpose trail.

Location

Occoneechee State Park is located in the southern portion of Central Virginia, just 15 miles north of North Carolina.

The park is a two-hour drive from Richmond and a two-and-a-half hour drive from Roanoke. The park is a three-hour drive from Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

Amenities

Occoneechee State Park is well known for its fishing. Buggs Island Lake and Lake Gaston are known for their plentiful supply of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and perch.

Boat ramps are available for both motorized and nonmotorized boats.

Fishing is permitted with a valid fishing license.

The park has two picnic shelters that can be reserved from 8 a.m. until dusk. Shelters can be reserved by calling 1-800-933-PARK.

The small shelter accommodates up to 35 people and the large shelter can accommodate up to 100. Both are close to the playground and the restrooms.

Occoneechee State Park has about 3.1 miles of walking trails. The trails cross through the woods and over to the site of the Occoneechee Plantation.

The park also has a 15 mile round-trip multi purpose trail. The trail is paved and can be used for biking, running, hiking, or horseback riding.

The park has a visitor center and a gift shop. The visitor center has a display on the “Occoneechee Story” and educates visitors on the history of the native Americans in that area.

Overnight Accommodations

The park has campsites and cabins to accommodate overnight guests.

Campsites in Campground C are located on the waterfront. Campground B accommodates RVs up to 35 feet.

Each campsite is equipped with a grill, enough room for two vehicles, and nearby restrooms.

Weekly rentals are required during the summer months for any of the 13 cabins in the park.

Each cabin has a kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, stove, cooking utensils, and dishes. Cabins have fireplaces and bedrooms with one set of linen per bed.

Two six bedroom lodges are available for rent during the prime season. Lodges must be rented for a week at a time.

The lodges have a kitchen, with dishes, a stove, a refrigerator, and cooking utensils, as well as three bathrooms, a living room, and six bedrooms.

The lodges each sleep 16 people.

Boat launching is free to overnight guests.

History

The Occoneechi Indians lived on an island near what is today the state park until 1676.

In 1839, the Occoneechee Plantation was built on the land by William Townes. The plantation was sold to Dempsey Graves Crudup and was burned down on Christmas Eve of 1898.