Hungry Mother State Park

Hungry Mother State Park
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Park Type	State Park
Located	Marion, Virginia
External Links	Official Website Official Trail Map
Entrance Fee	$7.00 per vehicle
ActivitiesThings to do at the park
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park
Park Trails	10 Trails / Total of 17.33 miles27.89 km <br />
Lodging Types	Group Lodge
Camping Amenities	Site sewer
Park Area	3,334 acres13.492 km² <br />
Operated By	Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Main Location	36° 53' 7.08" N, 81° 31' 18.30" W Map
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Park Overview

Hungry Mother State Park has 10 trails covering 17.33 miles running along the lake, through woods, and up to park's 3,270 feet high point. The park is also very geocache friendly with several caches within the park, a brochure on caching, and rental handheld units.

How to get there

From the TriCities area:

1. Take I-81 up to Exit 44 (US-11/Marion).
2. Turn right/NE on US-11/Lee Highway and proceed into town just over three miles.
3. Turn left/NW onto VA-16 and continue another four miles.
4. Turn right/NW into state park.
5. Day parking for the main trails on right below dam - and back by the CCC cabins.

Park Trails

The park offers the following trails to explore:

Park Trails	Distance	Difficulty	Marking	Usage	Highlight
CCC Trail	1.90 mi	Medium	Orange		Additional hike option to Molly's Knob and Vista Trail
Lake Trail Loop	5.70 mi	Medium	Navy Blue		A loop hike around the lake and access to most of the park's amenities.
Molly's Knob Trail	1.99 mi	Hard	White		Access to the vista trail
Old Shawnee Trail	0.94 mi	Medium	Yellow		One mile extension to Raider's Run
Raider's Run Trail	0.90 mi	Medium	Royal Blue		Short but moderate loop for hikers and bikers
Vista Trail	0.40 mi	Hard	Purple		A steep climb to a 180° stunning view of the countryside
Clyburn Hollow TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park.	0.50 mi	Easy	Gold
Clyburn Ridge Loop TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park.	4.00 mi	Hard	Lime Green
Ridge TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park.	0.20 mi	Easy	Green		Connects Lake Trail and Molly's Knob Trail
Stone Lick TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park.	0.80 mi	Medium	Red

An interesting loop hike through the forest with both summit and lake views could be created. Start by parking in the back by the cabins at the trailhead for Molly's Knob Trail (coordinates in infobox). After mile and quarter travel, take left and up 0.4 mile Molly's Vista Trail to the 3247 ft summit. Back down and left to finish out the one-third mile remaining on Molly's Knob Trail to the intersection with CCC Trail. Take a left for a mile until Lake Trail is reached. Following the winding Lake Trail back to parking lot. Roughly 6.5 miles in three and half hours.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Fee is $7 per vehicle per day. Every day. Always. Self pay at the booth if not attended.

Park Lodging

The park has several options for overnight stays. Group lodges, cabins, and campgrounds (some include yurts). There is no general lodge/inn/hotel on the premises.

Group Lodge

The group lodge is a six bedroom unit built by the CCC in the 1930's and allows up to 15 guests. The group lodge does include a dishwasher as well as washer/dryer.

Cabins

Several cabins are available. Generally of modern amenities (electricity, bathrooms, HVAC, etc.), but do not include dishwasher, telephone, TV, or washer/dryer.

Sizes range from two to eight overnight guests. Cabins also span historic CCC built units, to more modern units. Pets are allowed (at any?) for a fee.

Hemlock Haven cabins are also near the Hemlock Conference Center which is also available for rental for larger groups. While catering is offered, it does not appear to allow renters to use a commercial kitchen. Of special note are the Chestnut, Sycamore, and Hickory cabins as they do not have a classic kitchen. They have mini-fridges and an outdoor gas grill.

Cabins have minimum stay requirements. Between Memorial and Labor day, one week rentals are required. If within 30 days, shorter stays are accepted. Remainder of year has a two night minimum.

Campground

The park has three campgrounds. Burson and Creekside are all RV/tent sites. Royal Oak is tent only.

Camp Burson is the largest at 50 sites and offers the most modern hookups including site sewer at some sites and 50-amp service and water at all sites. Two four-person yurts are also available. The campground bathrooms include showers and washer/dryers.

Royal Oak campground is the most rustic and secluded. One yurt is available for rental. The remaining 11 tent sites are on wooden platforms. Bring a freestanding tent or be prepared for alternate means of securing. No hookups at the sites are available. The campground bathrooms include showers but not washer/dryers.

Creekside Campground has twenty RV/tent sites. Sites include 30-amp service and water. The campground bathrooms include showers and washer/dryers.

Other Park Amenities

The park offers a few amenities of fishing, boating, swimming, and hunting.

Restaurant

The restaurant is not currently open to the general public. It may be rented for catering and private functions.

Picnic Shelters

Several picnic shelters are available for rent.

Beach

The park has a beach. The beach is guarded and has concessions from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During guarded times there is a fee. At other times, park guests may swim at the designated area at their own risk.

Hunting

About 800 acres on Walker Mountain are open to deer and small game hunting annually. A valid Virginia hunting license is required. Check with the park office regarding specific areas that are open for hunting.

Boating

Non-gas powered boats are permitted on the lake. Boat rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddleboats are available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and on weekends through October, weather permitting.

Misc. Information

A legend states that when the Native Americans destroyed several settlements on the New River south of the park, Molly Marley and her small child were among the survivors taken to the raiders’ base north of the park. They eventually escaped, wandering through the wilderness eating berries. Molly finally collapsed, and her child wandered down a creek. Upon finding help, the only words the child could utter were "Hungry Mother." When the search party arrived at the foot of the mountain where Molly had collapsed, they found the child's mother dead. Today, that mountain is Molly's Knob (3,270 feet), and the stream is Hungry Mother Creek.

Gallery

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  Above view of Hungry Mother Lake

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  Hungry Mother Lake

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  Photo spot of the island

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