Hungry Mother

Hungry Mother SP https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hungry-mother https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungry_Mother_State_Park Hungry Mother State Park in southwestern Virginia is noted for its woodlands and lake. Easily accessible from Interstate 81, this park has folklore and history, swimming, camping, cabin rentals, boat rentals, hiking and the park system's first conference center, Hemlock Haven.

TRAIL SAFETY • Know your limits and abilities. Some trails in the park are strenuous and long. • Wear proper footwear for hiking. Trails are often rocky and can be steep in sections. • Check weather forecast and be prepared. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer. • Pack plenty of water and snacks for your intended distance. • If possible leave an itinerary with someone. Not all cellular carriers have reliable service in the park. • More detailed trail information is available from the park office or by asking a park ranger. BE BEAR AWARE - Although bear sightings are rare, this area is home to black bears. As a reminder, please review the following tips about hiking safety. If you encounter a bear while hiking: • Enjoy the experience from a distance, don’t panic. • Hiking at dawn or dusk may increase your chances of meeting a bear, so always be aware of your surroundings. • Use extra caution in places where hearing or visibility is limited, such as brushy areas, near streams, where trails round a bend and on windy days. • Reduce your chances of surprising a bear on the trail by making noise such as talking or singing. • Make sure children are close to you or within your sight at all times. C.C.C. TRAIL - This multi-use trail is 1.9-miles long. It intersects Lake Trail in the boat ramp area, runs all the way to Vista Trail and loops back to Lake Trail on the back side of the lake. It climbs up and down many ridges and crosses a creek several times. Vast thickets of rhododendron line much of the trail. several places where the trail may be flooded. It begins at an elevation of 2,217 feet, peaks at 2,565 feet and drops back to 2,320 feet where it meets Lake Trail farther along the loop. RAIDER’S RUN TRAIL LAKE TRAIL - This 5.7-mile trail for hiking and biking closely follows the edge of the lake. It makes brief diversions along ridges and away from the shore where it connects to the Ridge and C.C.C. trails. This relatively wide trail features numerous changes in elevation and many sharp turns and switchbacks resulting in constantly changing vistas of the lake and surrounding mountains. Shady thickets of rhododendron, dense leafy forest, cool creek beds and abundant wildlife make this trail an interesting and ever-changing panorama. This loop trail starts and ends at 2,212 feet. The first mile, which parallels Park Blvd., is gently rolling and relatively flat. Once the trail crosses the dam, it begins steeper rolling sections. The section along the back side of the lake has significant elevation gain and loss. The trail’s highest point is at 2,374 feet. RIDGE TRAIL - This 0.2-mile trail connects Lake Trail and Molly’s Knob Trail. The single-track trail primarily follows a ridge with a fairly steep incline. It passes through a densely forested area with numerous rhododendron and mountain laurel, providing an alternate route up and down Molly’s Knob. • Don’t run. Do get loud, get big and back away. It begins at 2,300 feet where it leaves Lake Trail and peaks at 2,487 feet where it intersects Molly’s Knob Trail. • Please report all bear sightings to a park ranger or the park office. MOLLY’S KNOB TRAIL TRAIL INFORMATION DIFFICULTY SCALE EASY - From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically fewer than 100 feet and less than 10 percent of the trail length; easily accomplished by all users, including the elderly and those with physical or mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue. MODERATE - From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with little risk of injury or fatigue. DIFFICULT - Trail length is greater than 5 miles; more than 70 percent of the trail is on a grade; experienced hikers only or groups of three to five people recommended; there is a risk of overexertion or injury to those not conditioned. - The 1.9-mile multi-use trail takes users from a parking lot below the group lodge to Vista Trail, which leads to the highest point in the park, Molly’s Knob, elevation 3,270 feet. Molly’s Knob Trail gradually becomes steeper and narrower. While hiking various switchbacks on this trail, users could see Catawba (pink bloom) and rosebay (white bloom) rhododendron, many varieties of fern and other colorful wildflowers. The trail’s elevation changes from 2,280 feet at the trailhead to 2,927 feet where it meets Vista Trail. From Vista Trail, Molly’s Knob Trail drops to 2,530 feet at the intersection with CCC Trail. OLD SHAWNEE TRAIL - This 1-mile multi-use trail extends Raider’s Run Trail, from which it is accessible in two places. The trail undulates gently through the woods, has only a few steep inclines and is less difficult than the hills on Raider’s Run Trail. While this trail is listed as having moderate difficulty, bikers should note there are It intersects Raider’s Run Trail in two places. The eastern intersection’s elevation is 2,447 feet, and the western intersec

WELCOME TO HUNGRY MOTHER STATE PARK. To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Honor parking information is found at the park entrance. GUESTS - Your guests are our guests. For everyone’s safety and security, please register all visitors with the park office. Visitors will not be admitted to camping and cabin areas unless so identified. Visitors are permitted only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. QUIET HOURS - Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The use of generators is prohibited at all times. PRESERVE – Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals. CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT POLICY Camping: Check-in 4 p.m. Check-out 1 p.m. ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Cabins: Check-out 10 a.m. PETS - Pets are permitted in enclosed areas or on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets must be attended at all times. DRONES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT - Drones, other unmanned aerial vehicles, including remote control aircraft, and aircraft in general may not be flown in state parks pursuant to 4VAC5-30-400. LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and recycle centers or carrying out your trash. The releasing of balloons is not allowed. Decorative balloons must be deflated and disposed of as trash. FIRE - Help prevent wildfires. Fires must be confined to grills, camp stoves or designated fire rings. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when left. Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park. Campers and guests may collect only down and dead firewood. We enforce all seasonal and emergency bans on open fires. POLLUTION - Help reduce pollution. Dump stations, laundry sinks and slop sinks, where available, are for the proper disposal of wastewater. Please, no boat, RV or car washing. SWIMMING - Guarded lake-swimming is generally available for a fee at the designated swimming beach during scheduled hours between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. The weather and other issues beyond our control may reduce the availability of guarded swimming. Outside of scheduled hours, guests may swim at the designated beach within marked areas at their own risk. Swimming anywhere else in the park at any time is prohibited. FISHING - A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. Check-in 4 p.m. In many cases, campers may be accommodated prior to the official check-in. Please remember that only those 18 or older may register. The registrant is responsible for all occupants of the campsite or cabin. Feel free to arrive early and enjoy park amenities prior to check-in. Overnight guests are encouraged to be familiar with the early departure policy since it impacts any refund due. The policy and frequently asked questions are here: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/faq. The maximum overnight stay per park is 14 days in any 30-day period. PARK ACCESSIBILITY - We strive to make each park as Virginia State Parks barrier-free as possible. Universally accessible facilities are available throughout Virginia State Parks. EMERGENCY - Emergency phone numbers are posted at contact stations and other places in the park. For more information, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or contact the park office. INFORMATION - For more information on Virginia State Parks or to make a cabin or campsite reservation, call 800-933-PARK or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov. The Customer Service Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on all state holidays. Hungry Mother State Park Marion, Virginia FACILITIES GUIDE CAMPING - Camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds and only after following the proper checkin procedure described in the Reservation and Fees Guide available at the park office. Campsite occupancy is a maximum of six people or the number of people in a single household. Two camping units are allowed per campsite; only one axled camper is allowed per site. All camping units, equipment and vehicles must be placed within the perimeter of the designated campsite without infringing on adjoining campsites or vegetation. Where high-impact areas are designated, all camping units, equipment and vehicles must be within the area’s defined borders. Park in designated areas only. PARKING - Only two motor vehicles, as well as the camping unit, are permitted on a campsite without incurring additional fees. Cabin guests are allowed two vehicles for a one or two-bedroom cabin, thr

Visit Thee Draper Village, located in the center of town and a favorite local hangout for over 125 years. Reimagined for today’s visitors while offering a nostalgic small town feel, the Village boasts a knockyour-socks-off brunch at the Merc restaurant, a coffee roastery and a unique marketplace showcasing local artisans, gifts, gourmet products and more. Keep your taste buds happy with a trip to the Harvest Table, a family-friendly, farm-to-table restaurant with live music, outdoor dining and a regional menu inspired by Appalachian heritage. DANCE Tap your toes along The Crooked Road’s Heritage Music Trail, with more than 300 miles of scenic terrain and an endless array of musical experiences. From living legends to new artists, and hidden gems to jam sessions, no visit is complete without pausing to take in the sounds that echo in our valleys. Visit Galax in the summer for the Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention, the world’s largest and oldest of its kind. Or join the flat-footing, fast-fiddling fun any time at the Floyd Country Store, where authentic Appalachian traditions come to life on the dance floor! BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS The Floyd Country Store—Floyd 150 J O S H U A T. M O O R E Home of the Birthplace of Country Music, the BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS region echoes with the passion of history’s most dominant country music pioneers. Annual festivals, historic venues and nightly jamborees celebrate Virginia’s global influence, creating a rich musical soundtrack for all travelers – whether meandering along winding roads, or venturing out onto scenic rivers and trails. F L O Y D C O U N T RY S T O R E ( F L O Y D ) : B R I A N C A M P / V I R G I N I A C R E E P E R T R A I L ( WA S H I N G T O N C O U N T Y ) : S A M D E A N JAM Join the award-winning Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion in celebrating its 20th anniversary this year! This three-day event provides an electrifying music experience for festivallovers, digging deep into the roots of Appalachian music with incredible performances from widely acclaimed artists. Also mark your calendar to visit Floyd in July for the fiveday FloydFest, one of the most unique music festivals in the state. With nine stages featuring worldwide artists, as well as camping, activities, a children’s universe and more, this experience will be one for your festival scrapbook! IMMERSE Known as the “Gateway to Southwest Virginia,” the Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Marketplace showcases our state’s traditional music and regional craft. Home to ‘Round the Mountain, Southwest Virginia’s artisan network, discover eclectic and extensive collections from some of the region’s most talented artisans, whose creations include all types of media that you’ll want to take home. Plus, from bluegrass to gospel and old-time to modern-day fusions, musical heritage comes to life at the headquarters of The Crooked Road. Virginia Creeper Trail—Washington County RIDE Head to Abingdon at Mile 0 to enter the beloved 34.3-mile Virginia Creeper Trail, named after the steam engine that once crept up the rails into the Iron Mountains. Traverse from Damascus to Whitetop, exploring fields and pastures full of wildlife while learning about the railroad’s significant role in Southwest Virginia’s history and economy. You can also intersect with the Appalachian Trail at several points on your journey, and there are plenty of opportunities to take a break for a hard-earned meal or sweet treat as well. VIRGINIA .ORG 151 BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS SAVOR Bristol Rhythm and Roots—Bristol BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS g VG M E E T S E N V I R O N M E N TA L S TA N D A R D S O F T H E V I R G I N I A G R E E N P R O G R A M q u O F F E R S A C C E S S F O R P E O P L E W H O A R E B L I N D O R H AV E L O W V I S I O N b c BUSES/GROUP S WELCOME P E T - F R I E N D LY FA C I L I T Y $ P R O V I D E S P R I N T E D M AT E R I A L I N B R A I L L E D PROVIDES DES CRIPTIONS BY A TRAINED AUDIO DES CRIBER P R O V I D E S A D E V I C E U S E D F O R C O M M U N I C AT I O N W I T H A N D B E T W E E N H E A R I N G I M PA I R E D ADMISSION REQUIRED I s W PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE PROVIDES ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS ADA-COMPLIANT Welcome Center at Bristol VG Narrows 77 52 Saltville Abingdon Wytheville Marion Appalachian Trail 304-535-6278; nps.gov/ appa. A public footpath that follows more than 2,100 miles of Appalachian Mountain ridgelines. Blue Ridge Parkway Mileposts 162.9 to 192.5, 828-298-0398; nps.gov/blri. “America’s Favorite Scenic Drive.”bj Blue Ridge Travel Association 2680 Grayson Pkwy., 276-773-0450; virginiablueridge.org. Visit the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwestern Virginia and enjoy outdoor recreation, museums, live theatre, themed parks and zoos, wineries and much more! Free guides. b The Creeper Trail vacreepertrail.com. Open year-round to hiking, mountain biking and horse back riding. The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail One Heartwood Cir., 276-492-2409; myswva. org/

Environmental Education Virginia State Parks are premier environmental education sites. Schools, scouts, groups and individuals are encouraged to come learn more about their world. Backyard Classroom programs, incorporating Virginia’s Standards of Learning, promote lifelong learning. They also help young people enjoy, appreciate and understand the outdoors. Programs & Festivals Master new outdoor cooking recipes. Pan for gold or tour a cave. Learn or improve outdoor skills. Enjoy a rangerled hike, eagle tour or owl prowl. Workshops and events are as diverse as the parks. VIRGINIA Discounts Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming. The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays. STATE PARKS You can also receive a 25 percent discount on weekend cabins if you make a reservation on Thursday or Friday, based on availability. Just ask for the discount on the phone when you make the reservation. Park Accessibility Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as possible. Contact the Customer Service Center or individual parks for more information before your trip. Pets Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping. There’s plenty of history, too. Immerse yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. When it comes to festivals, you’ll find music, arts and crafts, local food and beverage, classic cars and more. Up-to-theminute, comprehensive information is available at www.virginiastateparks.gov. Nature & History All parks have trails, many with signs explaining the environment. Wander trails at First Landing through cypress swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along ridges and ravines through rare oldgrowth forest. Overlooks at Hungry Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful geological forces that shaped the land. See how rivers shaped some parks, such as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge, Powhatan and Westmoreland. www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275) www.virginiastateparks.gov Shenandoah River Seven Bends Sky Meadows 540-622-6840 540-622-6840 540-592-3556 CT • CT • Douthat 540-862-8100 T Natural Bridge 540-291-1326 Smith Mountain Lake 540-297-6066 • 540-854-5503 703-730-8205 703-339-2385 540-288-1400 • B/E/H • B/H • B/E/H/U VIRGINIA MOUNTAINS • • FP • • • • B/E/H H • FP • • B/H • • • B/E/H/U • H/U NORTHERN VIRGINIA Lake Anna Leesylvania Mason Neck Widewater • • • FP CT • • • • B/H/U • • • UD CT CHESAPEAKE BAY Belle Isle Caledon Machicomoco Westmoreland 804-462-5030 540-663-3861 804-642-2419 804-493-8821 • • • B/E/H/U • • B/H • CT • • FP • B/H • FP • P B/H/U COASTAL Chippokes Plantation False Cape­­­­ First Landing York River 757-294-3728 757-426-7128 757-412-2300 757-566-3036 • • P B/E/H/U • • B/H/U • • • B/H • • • FP • • B/E/H/U EASTERN SHORE Photo courtesy Jackie Jamison Kiptopeke CENTRAL VIRGINIA Bear Creek Lake­ High Bridge Trail Holliday Lake James River Pocahontas Powhatan Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Twin Lakes (Cedar Crest Conference Center) Boa t La unc h Boa t Re nta ls Fish in g Day Use O nl y Play grou nds Swi mm in g Trai ls BLUE RIDGE HIGHLANDS SHENANDOAH VALLEY 757-331-2267 • • • FP • • H/U/B 804-492-4410 434-315-0457 434-248-6308 434-933-4355 804-796-4255 804-598-7148 804-561-7510 434-392-3435 434-767-2398 T • • • • B/E/H T • • • • • • • • T • • • • • CT • • 540-643-2500 276-579-7092 276-781-7400 276-781-7425 276-699-6778 276-699-6778 • • • FP • • • T • • • CT • • • • B/H/U B/E/H • B/H/U B/E/H/U • SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Fairy Stone Occoneechee Staunton River Battlefield Staunton River 276-930-2424 434-374-2210 434-454-4312 434-572-4623 T • • • 276-865-4413 276-254-5487 276-940-2674 276-940-2696 276-523-1322 276-445-3065 T • • • • • • • B/E/H • B/H/U • • P B/E/H • • P B/E/H HEART OF APPALACHIA Breaks Interstate Clinch River Natural Tunnel (Cove Ridge Conference Center) Southwest Virginia Museum Wilderness Road CT • • • • B/H • P B/H/U H/U • B/E/H TABLE LEGEND­­­: B Biking CT Car-top Boat Launch E Equestrian FP Fishing Pier H Hiking P Pool Swimming T Electric Motors Only U Universally Accessible UD Under Development B/E/H B/E/H/U P • B/E/H/U B/E/H H • • Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable for reunions, weddings and special events. Some parks even have equestrian campsites. B/E/H/U B/E/H/U • T Claytor Lake Grayson Highlands Hungry Mother (Hemlock Haven Conference Center) New River Trail Shot Tower With lodges, cabins, yurts and campsites, the fun doesn’t end at sundown. Many cabins are available year-round, and most campgrounds ar

Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville Small Towns, Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make these small towns in Virginia worth exploring. Character WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM T KYLE LAFERRIERE 10 he phrase “small town” evokes nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly and stocked with locally-owned businesses. These are communities where you can get off the crowded highway, park the car and walk, ride a bike or even kayak through downtown. Small, family-run businesses offer one-of- a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer locally-grown produce and seafood spring through fall. With almost 200 incorporated towns, dozens more villages and hamlets, plus nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street Communities, the hard part is deciding which Virginia towns to visit. VIRGINIA .ORG 11 Here are some of our favorites, d ending starting in southwest Virginia, an metown with a shameless plug for our ho on the Eastern Shore. High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville Harrisonburg Big Stone Gap 12 Farmville HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN / SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor drama, performed Thursday through Saturday nights, late June through August. Before you go, be sure to read the Big Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or watch the Hollywood film by the same name starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg. Upon arrival, you can visit places featured in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as the outdoor drama. Fine, well-preserved period homes house The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House. Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique and curio shops round out this small town gem. Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State Singing Convention, June This formerly industrial town has been reinvented for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers. The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer four-mile Farmville Blueway. The railroad that once carried coal now carries hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long High Bridge Trail State Park. Repurposed tobacco packing houses and lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up local beer, live music, games for the kids and a pet-friendly beer garden. Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and the soon-to-open second location of James River Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination for craft beverage lovers. Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May Set amidst the vast playground of the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg has been called “one of the best mountain bike towns in America” by National Geographic. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and artisans have blended the past with the present to create a lively melting pot that is distinctive to this college town. Named Virginia’s first Culinary District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural diversity serves up fare from around the world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food. Bar.Food features “global comfort food,” while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café. The arts scene is equally diverse, epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market, a community of small businesses under one roof in an historic building. Named for James Madison, fourth president and the “Father of the Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel Madison and James Madison University (JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend a youthful vitality to this historic town. Fun Festival: Harrisonburg International Festival, September VIRGINIA .ORG 13 Within Virginia’s larger cities, find pockets of uniqueness that make you feel like you’re in a small town! ROANOKE’S HISTORIC GRANDIN VILLAGE This walkable urban village is eclectic and family-friendly at the same time. Spend Saturday morning at the Community Market, dine on an outdoor patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in a first-run or classic film at the 1930s Grandin Theatre. RICHMOND’S SCOTT’S ADDITION One of the hottest, newly revitalized neighborhoods in the state capital. Warehouses converted to breweries, cideries and distilleries, bold street murals, a cinema and a retro bowling alley make this a happening night scene. Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake Country at Virginia’s only lakeside town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens of fishing tournaments yearl