Natural Tunnel

Natural Tunnel State Park hosts "Skills Along the Wilderness Road"

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Amy Atwood

Natural Tunnel State Park along with the Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Association and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will be hosting a 2-day workshop "Skills Along the Wilderness Road." The workshop will be held on April 16-17, 2010.

Friday, April 16, will begin at 2:00 p.m. and Pam Eddy from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park will walk participants through the steps in becoming an interpreter using historical objects and stories as focal points. This program will be held in the Cove Ridge Center within Natural Tunnel State Park.

On Saturday, April 17, enjoy a hands-on day of learning how to make soap and candles. Throughout the day there will be sessions on linens, types of dress, basket making, a cooking demo and more. The Saturday programs will be held at the Blockhouse within Natural Tunnel State Park. The day will begin at 8:00 a.m.

The Friday night dinner, Saturday continental breakfast and 18th century soup or stew lunch will be included with the registration fee. Registration is $10 a day. You can register for one or both days. There is no charge for overnight accommodations. Space for the Saturday sessions is limited.

Registrations forms need to be sent to:
Megan France
1420 Natural Tunnel Parkway
Duffield, VA 24244

The registration form and payment must be received to secure your spot. Make checks payable to the Daniel Boone Wilderness Road Association. For more information please call Megan France at (276) 940-1643. Registration deadline is April 2, 2010 no later than 4:30 p.m.

University of West Florida Volunteered at Claytor Lake State Park for Spring Break

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Jaimie Lomasney

College students from the University of West Florida spent their entire spring break volunteering at Claytor Lake State Park from Monday, March 8 through Sunday, March 14.

They did a variety of work around the park such as tree thinning, trailhead kiosk installation, shoreline cleanup, fire line placement, landscaping, prepping campgrounds for opening, and interior painting of campground and picnic area bathhouses.

WSLS Channel 10 news came our and interviewed the students. Below you can view the story.

Any one interested in volunteering at Claytor Lake State Park needs to contact the main office at 540-643-2500.

For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-643-2500 or e-mail Claytor Lake State Park at ClaytorLake@dcr.virginia.gov. Claytor Lake State Park is located at 6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive, Dublin, VA 24084.

Overnight reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (7275) or by booking on line.

Amanda Robinson, First Landing Maintenance Ranger Nominated for Tourism Award

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Staci Martin

National Tourism Week is May 8-16, 2010 and as part of the celebration, the City of Virginia Beach is hosting the Virginia Beach National Tourism Week Hospitality Awards on Friday, May 7th.

A premier hospitality event, this luncheon is to recognize the front-line hospitality employees and volunteers who consistently offer outstanding service to the visitors and local residents who support Virginia Beach's hospitality industry. First Landing State Park has nominated Park Maintenance Ranger Amanda Robinson for the "Hospitality Employee of the Year" award.

Amanda has worked at First Landing State Park for four season and says, "I love First Landing. It feels good to work for a place that lets me connect to the natural world and do something in the conservation field." Primarily responsible for cabin housekeeping and groundskeeping, Amanda works hard to keep the park and cabins looking great for visitors.

Congratulations, Amanda!!

The Gradual Awakening

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Michael Salotti

After a couple active snow storms this winter, the weather appears to be taking a turn for the better. I remember when I used to look forward to snow days as a child, but now, they seem to be more of a nuisance. That is why I always love to see the first signs of spring.

Over the past couple days I have noticed insects beginning to emerge from their slumbers. In a short time Virginia’s flora will start to sprout and our beautiful state will become green with life once more. In a few short months, flowers will begin blooming and the weather will become quite warm.

This is the perfect time to start planning your trip to Virginia State Parks. What better way to kick off spring than a trip with you family to one of our wonderful parks? Our campsites reopened on March 1st and we are ready to accommodate anyone who wants a reservation.

Whether you want to take in the beautiful views or plan a fishing trip, spring is a wonderful time of year. I took a trip to Chippokes State Park last spring while the gardens were in bloom, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. Be sure to bring a camera with you because there will be plenty to photograph.

Whatever your reason for visiting, you will probably agree that the memories created are one of the greatest treasures of our parks. Give your family memories that will last a lifetime in Virginia State Parks.

Visit Chippokes Plantation State Park for Historic Garden Week

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Staci Martin

It is the 77th anniversary of the Virginia Garden Club premier event: Historic Garden Week. Once again, Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry, Virginia will be a featured site during the event--April 17 to April 25, 2010. www.vagardenweek.org/

With the centuries-old formal garden at the Stewart Mansion, the newly planted orchards, and the historic slave garden at the River House, a visit to the park gives you a glimpse into the past.

Guided tours or the ante-bellum Stewart Mansion will be available during Garden Week for 1pm-5pm. In addition, a Hearth Cooking demonstration will be held on Saturday, April 24. Costumed re-enatctors will prepare heirloom vegetables from last year's harvest.

Green-Thumbed volunteers are needed to help prep the gardens. Please contact Kathy Thompson, Chippokes Volunteer Coordinator, at kathy.thompson@dcr.virginia.gov for volunteer information.

Hiking Sky Meadows State Park

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

There's nothing like the chaos and traffic of the Washington D.C. and northern Virginia area to leave residents screaming for a good dose of nature and the outdoors. This winter's amazing snow fall just made it worse.

Sky Meadows State Park is a short trip west on Interstate 66 and is just what the doctor ordered. Back in December Ian Edlind from Trail Voice (@TrailVoice on Twitter) contacted me about a recommendation for hikes in the park. The staff at Sky Meadows recommended some and I forwarded them on.

The resulting blog post on Trail Voice is a great piece that shows off the hiking potential of this park. Ian had asked me when the best time to visit the park would be and I have to admit that winter did not jump into my mind. But his pictures show that nature's wonders abound in all seasons. I'm hoping Ian will visit some of our other parks soon and share some more great hikes in Virginia State Parks.

If you are planning a hiking trip, be sure and check out the new Virginia Outdoors website. The great trail information we have on our kiosks at the parks is also available on line at this site including detailed maps and a narrated slide show of what the various trails have to offer.

For directions to Sky Meadows State Park, click here.

Reversal of Fortune

Monday, March 15, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Next weekend is the spring meeting of the Virginia Association for Parks. They hold biannual meetings in the spring and fall. This meeting will be held beginning Thursday evening at Smith Mountain Lake State Park, culminating with the membership meeting on Saturday morning. This meeting there is lots to celebrate.

Sunday the Senate and House of Delegates Conference Committee hammered out their differences and brought in a balanced state budget. I haven't seen all of the details yet on how they did it but it was no mean feat given the nearly $4 billion projected deficit.

Since Virginia does not allow for repeat terms fof the Governor, every four years we have four budgets. The outgoing Governor proposed his budget in December. Governor Kaine had asked agencies to come up with ten and fifteen percent cuts on top of cuts sustained the previous two years. We were able to swing the ten percent cut but said we would have to start closing parks if we had to take deeper cuts. Governor McDonnell submitted his budget on February 16 which reduced our budget an additional $500,000 resulting in the closure of five parks. The outcry was swift and loud. Our friends and supporters met with legislators and, when the Senate and House of Delegates submitted their proposed budgets on February 21 and they did not impose the additional cuts.

Today the conference committee reached a compromise on the two bills and the result was even better than we could have hoped. Not only were we not losing the $500,000 that would have meant closing five parks, but we also were getting an unexpected $500,000 more. Technically this reduces the impact of the Kaine ten percent cut. In addition we received another $100,000 to restore some of our advertising money as part of the overall increase to state Tourism advertising. Read the VAFP Press Release here.

Our thanks go to the dedicated members of the Virginia Association for Parks, our loyal volunteers and supporters, park users everywhere, and the budget conferees* who embraced the notion that parks are good for the mind, body and spirit as well as economic engines for the mostly rural areas they support.

*Senate Conferees: Senators Charles Colgan, Edd Houck, Richard Saslaw, Janet Howell, William Wampler, Thomas Norment, Walter Stosch. House Conferees: Lacey Putney, Kirk Cox, Beverly Sherwood, Johnny Joannou, Chris Jones, Steve Landes.

Wilderness Road State Park Represented Well at Cultural Heritage Commission Meeting

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Michael Brindle

Wilderness Road State Park manager Jonathan Tustin and park concessions manager Mike Brindle attended a meeting of the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission in Jonesville, Virginia on Thursday, March 11. The meeting was held in order to give input to the Commission concerning the cultural assets in Lee County. Wilderness Road State Park and several of its facilities and features were well represented in the meeting, and were among the most popular county assets, as voted on by the participants in the meeting.

The Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission, chaired by Senator William C. Wampler, Jr., was established by the 2008 General Assembly and appointed by Governor Timothy Kaine to encourage economic development through cultural heritage ventures and initiatives related to tourism and other asset-based enterprises throughout the 19-county, 4-city region.

The Commission, staffed through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, is coordinating the development of Heartwood: Southwest Virginia’s Artisan Gateway, currently under construction alongside Interstate 81 next to Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon. This regional centerpiece and its electronic counterpart, a new Southwest Virginia website, will serve as gateways to the stunning cultural and natural resources that define Southwest Virginia for residents and our visitors.

Cultural assets, such as those provided by Wilderness Road State Park and Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, were identified and placed in the inventory to help tell the regional story through the website and in travel itineraries from Heartwood. The inventory builds on the work of The Crooked Road and ’Round the Mountain, also overseen by the Commission. While those organizations are busy inventorying and promoting the region’s heritage music and craft traditions, this committee is identifying physical sites of broad historic, outdoor recreational, and scenic interest in the region.

Historic Martin’s Station, the Karlan Mansion, the Wilderness Road Trail and the park itself were identified as assets that can help tell Lee County’s stories of: The Frontier, the Westward Migration, the Civil War, Recreational Venues and Scenic Vistas.

Tustin was elected Chairperson of the Lee County committee whose responsibility it is to now nominate 6 assets to be exploited by the Southwest Virginia Cultural Heritage Commission and the Heartwood complex.

Peaceful time

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Virginia State Park Visitors

A visitor post from Jeannie Westmoreland, Richmond, Virginia

New Years Eve we got away...My husband & I with Our yellow Lab (Chester) went to Bear Creek State Park.. First time there.. and it was beautiful...Snow still covered the ground and the peaceful mornings drinking hot tea over looking the lake was breathtaking. Our cabin overlooked the lake,which was beautiful every morning and evening. Just listening to the woods come alive every morning and seeing the sunrise was a moment I will never forget! Our Lab had a wonderful time walking the trails with his master. While I had time too read and do a little writing. Our long weekend was just beautiful,magical and something you would find only in dreams. The peaceful walks along the lake to the breathetaking sunsets. You will never find that in the city. If I can take one thing from this trip ..It would be "Life will never be able to exist without nature"....I can not wait to return for another wonderful vacation.

Bear Creek Lake State Park Waterview Cabin in the Snow

New Painting to be Unveiled at 10th Anniversary Raid at Martin's Station

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Michael Brindle

Plans are being finalized for a milestone event at Wilderness Road State Park. This year mark's the 10th anniversary of the Raid at Martin's Station, the park's annual signature event that has grown leaps and bounds since its humble beginnings.

In April of 2000, the first Raid at Martin's Station was held before a moderate crowd of spectators gathered along a split-rail fence. They watched as Capt. Ebenezer Titus and Capt. Joseph Martin commanded a small band of militia as they fought to save Martin's outpost from being burned to the ground by a scanty tribe of restless natives. That event featured less than 70 re-enactors, 12 vendors and 1 lonely cabin.

This May 7-9, 2010, more than 700 re-enactors and 40-plus vendors are expected to re-create the Raid at Martin's Station before a crowd that last year was estimated at over 3,000. Also, that 1 lonely cabin has now been joined by another small cabin, a blacksmith and gunsmith shop, a hunter's cabin, pig pen, spring house and of course the fort, which contains 6 cabins inside its palisade walls.

To honor the park, the Raid at Martin’s Station’s tenth anniversary and to those patriots who sacrificed their lives for liberty, Dann Jacobus is in the process of creating a painting of Joseph Martin’s return from the Cherokee campaign. The painting will be unveiled during the opening ceremonies of the Raid at Martin's Station.

"I started working with Dann just over a year ago to develop a painting that would depict Joseph Martin and his men returning from a campaign, worn and tired," stated park interpretive program manager Billy Heck. "This painting will pay tribute to the park staff and volunteers that have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the park and the fort such a success. I chose Dann for this project because I think his paintings are among the best I've seen and he has shown his support for the park and Martin's Station with his previous paintings of staff and volunteers."

Jacobus received his formal fine art education in New York. After his military service years, when he served as photographer and illustrator for the Army newspaper in Okinawa, Jacobus focused his artwork towards books and magazines on hunting, fishing and the outdoors.

History has always been of major interest for Jacobus, and his art moved in that direction when he began re-enacting and participating in living history events years ago. In creating his paintings, he draws from his research and outdoor experiences and blends them into his current work. He is a member of the NMLRA, the Contemporary Longrifle Association, the Honorable Company of Horners, the Lafayette Longrifles, the NRA and various other reenacting groups. He lives in Fuquay Farina, NC.

For more information on Wilderness Road State Park, the Raid at Martin's Station or Dann Jacobus, please call 275-445-3065.

Interpretive Sign Captures Dark and Bloody Ground!

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Michael Brindle

History runs deep in the heart of Southwest Virginia, through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky. To help preserve that history, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park interpreter Pam Eddy and Wilderness Road State Park concessions manager Mike Brindle have collaborated on a piece of artwork that captures the very essence of the westward movement.

This massive interpretive sign will be made of metal with the notch of the fabled Cumberland Gap very noticeable in its overall design. It measures 10 feet by 10 feet, with the rich red sunset, spirits of the Cherokee warriors, and the settlers heading west led by Daniel Boone capturing “The Dark and Bloody Ground,” the name given Kentucky at the time of settlement in the mid-eighteenth century. Northern and southern Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee and Shawnee, had long fought over this region, known for its rich hunting grounds, favored salt licks and bountiful fresh water springs.

When Richard Henderson of the Transylvania Land Company signed the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in 1775, purchasing the land known as Kentucky from the Cherokee, Daniel Boone was taken aside by a Cherokee Chief, whom he had grown familiar with, and told, “Brother, we have sold you a fine land, but you will have much trouble in settling it, for I have seen a dark cloud over that land.” Fiery Chief Dragging Canoe also warned they had secured a dark and bloody ground.

“When Pam first approached me about the idea of creating this wonderful interpretive sign, I listened to her description and immediately pictured this scene in my mind,” stated Brindle. “Using Photoshop, I took various photos of interpreters in period costume, combined them with a brilliant red sunset, the distant mountain terrain and added ‘see-through’ spirits of two Cherokee Warriors, watching over the settlers heading westward. We have a wonderful partnership with the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and this project is just another example of our combined effort to interpret the Wilderness Road and the amazing history we are blessed with in this area.”

For more information on Wilderness Road State Park, call the park office at 276-445-3065, and for more information on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, call 606-248-2817.

State park and natural area preserve officers receive state accreditation

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Official Department of Conservation and Recreation Press Release

Department of Conservation and Recreation first statewide agency accredited

Conservation Officers with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation this week received accreditation from the Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission. DCR joins several universities and the Capitol Police as one of only five state agencies with this certification. With 37 offices across the commonwealth DCR is the first Virginia agency with statewide coverage to be recognized by the commission. Virginia State Police are accredited by a national organization.

The VLEPSC considers state accreditation the best measure of an agency’s compliance with professional law enforcement standards. The commission consists of Virginia sheriffs and police chiefs selected for their expertise and knowledge. Accreditation increases the law enforcement agency’s ability to prevent and control crime through more effective and efficient delivery of law enforcement services to the community it serves. Approximately 80 law enforcement agencies, primarily local sheriffs and police departments, have earned this recognition.

The VLEPSC looks at 187 management standards as a part of their review. These range from handling of routine traffic citations to procedures for storing evidence. The agency must also prove compliance with each of the standards. A team of independent certified assessors from other law enforcement agencies review files, interview staff and inspect facilities to determine qualification for certification. The accreditation took DCR three years and is good for four years.

“Our law enforcement staff is to be commended for voluntarily embarking on this extensive and rigorous evaluation,” said DCR’s State Parks Director Joe Elton. “This massive effort was undertaken to ensure that Virginia State Parks continue to be safe places for the family to enjoy the outdoors.”

DCR has 108 conservation officers in 37 locations across the state. These officers have jurisdiction over 35 state parks and 61 natural area preserves.

Law enforcement staff at Douthat State Park

Extreme Fishing

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

My father took me fishing some when I was a girl and I found it a nice, relaxing time spent with my dad in the outdoors. We made fishing poles out of a stick and string, added a hook and some bait, and stuck the pole in a small lake or pond. I was just as happy to not catch anything.

I have been to a bass tournament and I have seen videos with folks reeling in giant fish after a long fight with the fish. But, I never imagined fishing could be called "extreme." Well, that was before I discovered Kayak Kevin and kayak fishing. Kevin often uses Kiptopeke State Park as a base camp for his Chesapeake Bay Kayak Fishing. He recently spent a few weeks in December at the park finalizing his latest video: "Kayak Fishing the Chesapeake Bay."

Here is a piece Kevin did promoting our park and the fishing opportunities.

That video gives you a tiny taste of what kayak fishing is all about. This trailer for his new video gives you an even better idea.

This video is now out and it is amazing. You can order it right off his site. If you still doubt whether fishing can be extreme, you need to get this video. If the fishing was not extreme enough, Kevin and his crew are also doing all of the photography.

If you're ready for the challenge, contact Kevin at his website. If not, you can spend a lazy day fishing from our pier or launch your boat and motor around the concrete ships for some more tame pursuits.

I don't know about you, but I will never think of fishing the same way again.

Spring Floats

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

I know it's almost spring because a glance at our events database show the beginning of our canoe and kayak programs.

Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster, Virginia

4/10/10 Grand Ole Osprey Canoe Trip
4/24/10 Sunset Canoe Trip
4/24/10 Full Moon Kayak Trip
4/30/10 Full Moon Canoe Trip

False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia

4/04/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle
4/11/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle
4/18/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle
4/24/10 Afternoon Kayak Paddle

Holliday Lake State Park, Appomattox, Virginia

4/03/10 Canoe Tour
4/10/10 Canoe Tour
4/17/10 Owl Call Canoe Tour

Canoes are ready to go at Belle Isle State Park

American Hiking Society Still Working Hard at Douthat State Park

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Jaimie Lomasney

Tuscarora Overlook before volunteers cleared away brush.

Halfway through the work week and eleven volunteers from the American Hiking Society are still working hard at Douthat State Park doing trail work.

The group of volunteers were split up into two groups today to meet at Tuscarora Overlook, a scenic view of Douthat State Park, to clear trails along the way and clear brush around the overlook. Nine trees were cleared off the trails on the way up to the overlook and several hundred feet were cleared around the viewing area of Tuscarora Overlook.

Douthat State Park employees John Nicely and David Reynolds are leading the group this week through the volunteer projects.

Volunteers clearing brush at Tuscarora Overlook

The group of volunteers consist of: Brad and Jeanie Newcomer from Hagerstown, Md.; Brian Merrill from Depew, N.Y.; Caroline Neff from Fairfield, Ill.; Dan Krull from Washington, Va.; Greta Steber from Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Sandra Hart from Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Jenna MacFarlene from Charlotte, N.C.; Thomas Jones from Hawley, Pa.; Libby Wile from Arlington, Va.; and Tina Temple from Owensboro, Ky.

Any one interested in volunteering at Douthat State Park needs to contact the main office at 540-862-8100.

For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or email Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov. Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460.

Volunteers and Park Employees after finished clearing brush at Tuscarora Overlook.

Women’s Wellness Weekend Caters to Mind, Body & Spirit

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

Women are looking for affordable vacations where they can leave their hectic lifestyles behind. A three day weekend is just what the mind needs. Women’s Wellness Weekends at Virginia State Parks is just that place; we offer a picturesque setting where women can unwind and regain balance in their lives.

Our wellness weekends offer a wide variety of workshops and outdoor activities for women of all ages. Women participating in the upcoming weekend in April will enjoy activities such as fly fishing, yoga, aromatherapy, hiking, and kayaking.

The weekend begins on Friday, April 23rd with registration at 3 p.m. and ends Sunday, April 25th at noon. And it’s affordable. Share your stay with friends or make new ones. You can also bring you RV or camp in the campground. No matter where you stay you’ll have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty and the scenic views of Fairy Stone State Park. So call your girlfriends and make your plans today. Call our reservation center at 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit our website at www.virginiastateparks.gov.

If you’re unable to attend this weekend, our next Women’s Wellness Weekend will be held in October at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County.

Historical Painting Adorns Visitor Center

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

When you enter the new visitor center at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park you’ll have the opportunity to see a magnificent painting by Virginian, Sidney E. King. The painting depicts the moment that Union General Frank Wheaton troops descend the hill and prepare to cross Little Sailors Creek while Major Andrew Cowan’s twenty guns bombarded Confederate General Ewell’s position from the yard of the Hillsman farm house. The painting was once displayed in the yard of the Hillsman farm house until it was placed in storage to await restoration. A few weeks ago, it found its permanent home in the visitor center.

Mr. King painted nearly 200 historical murals for National Park Service properties. He lived in Caroline County until his death in 2002 at the age of 95.

Fairy Stone State Park - Magically Delightful

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Sometimes I marvel at how I get my ideas for blog posts. I get an email with the "Lens of the Day" from Squidoo (neat stuff by the way). Today's title was "Purple Star Awards." I confess I haven't read the post yet but it made me think of Lucky Charms Cereal. Then I thought, "Hey it's almost St. Patrick's Day" and then I decided it was time to do a blog about Fairy Stone. Not sure what this says about my creative process.

The connection between St. Patrick's Day and Fairy Stone is a little more obvious. Fairy Stone State Park is located in Patrick County. Okay, so Patrick County has nothing to do with St. Patrick. Once in Virginia there was a giant county called Patrick Henry County named after that famous Virginia forefather. In 1791 they split the county into Patrick and Henry counties.

In addition to the tenuous "Patrick" connection, the story behind the park's name sake involves fairies and wee people right out of Irish folklore. Fairy Stones are naturally formed staurolite crystals that form cross-like shapes. The Captain John Smith/Pocahontas legend talks about Pocahontas giving Captain John Smith a necklace of lucky fairy stones. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as Charles Linberg and Thomas Edison reportedly carried the crosses for luck. If you have jewelry made out of the crosses (and we sell some at the park), a lot of work went into making the rough stones into crosses appropriate for jewelry.

While nothing beats a good fairy stone hunt, the real magic of Fairy Stone State Park is the more than 4,600 acres which makes this park an outdoor paradise. The park is situated on Fairy Stone Lake which was created by damming Goblintown Creek. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the park infrastructure and Fairy Stone opened June 15, 1936 as one of the six original Virginia State Parks.

A CCC Log Cabin at Fairystone State Park

Today the park features a campground with great views, twenty-five cabins with some lakefront, a family lodge that sleeps 16 people, Fayerdale Hall Conference Center, and a seasonal swimming beach. There are nine miles of multi-use trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding as well as about six miles of hiking only trail. The 168 acre lake offers great fishing (no gasoline powered boats allowed). The park rents rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and canoes on a seasonal basis.