Hungry Mother State Park

CCC Trail

The Civilian Conservation Corps Trail is a 1 mile, moderate difficulty, multi-use trail that runs from the intersection of the Powder House and Lake Trails, nearly all the way to the peak of Molly's Vista Trail. This trail follows the creek at lower elevations, crossing it several times. As the elevation increases the trail leaves the creek and increases in grade. Above the intersection with the Middle Ridge Trail, the trail increases in difficulty until finally reaching the Molly's Knob Trail. Vast thickets of Rhododendron line this trail along much of its length.

Blaze Color: Orange

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Fisherman's Run Trail

The Fisherman's Run Trail is a 1.1 mile easy, multi-use trail that runs along the west side of the lake. The trail connects the beach area to a small parking lot, accessible from Route 16, near where the trail becomes the Powder House Trail. This smooth trail has little elevation change and offers many places for hikers and bikers to stop and rest or, as its name suggests, fish from the lake.

Blaze Color: Lt. Green

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Lake Trail

The Lake Trail is a moderate difficulty, 2.9 mile trail for hiking and biking, that closely follows the east side of the lake. The trail makes brief diversions along the ridges and away from the lake shore, where it connects to the Ridge, Middle Ridge, CCC, and Powderhouse trails. This relatively wide trail features numerous changes in elevation along with a fair share of sharp turns and switchbacks resulting in constantly changing vistas of the lake and surrounding mountains. Shady thickets of Rhododendron, dense leafy forest, and cool creek beds along with the abundant wildlife, make this this trail an interesting and ever-changing panorama.

Blaze Color: Navy Blue

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Middle Ridge Trail

The Middle Ridge Trail is a 1.17 mile, moderate difficulty, multi-use trail that connects the upper portion of the CCC Trail to the Lake Trail. The trail primarily follows a ridge with moderate changes in elevation. This single track trail passes through the woods and Rhododendron, providing an alternate route up or down Molly's Knob.

Blaze Color: Yellow

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Molly's Knob Trail

The Molly's Knob Trail is a 1.6 mile, difficult trail, that takes users from a parking lot near the group lodge up to the top of Molly's Knob. The trail gradually becomes steeper and narrower while you ascend and is fairly hard before reaching the summit which is the park's highest point at 3,270 feet. While hiking this trail you will see both Catawba (pink bloom) and Maximum (white bloom) Rhododendron, as well as many varieties of fern and the spring blooming, lady's slipper flower. You may even be lucky enough to spot a red eft, the terrestrial subadult stage of the Red-spotted newt (N. v. viridescens), a type of amphibian.

Blaze Color: White

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Old Shawnee Trail

The Old Shawnee Trail is a 1 mile, moderate difficulty, multi-use trail that forms an extension of the Raider's Run Trail where it is accessible from two places. Like the Raider's Run, the trail passes through the woods but is not as difficult. While this trail is listed as moderate difficulty, bikers should note that the trail features several difficult places where the trail either floods easily or where the creek simply flows straight down the trail.

Blaze Color: Green

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Powder House Trail

The Powder House Trail is a one mile long, moderate difficulty, multi-use trail that passes through the woods along the south side of the lake and connects the Fisherman's Run Trail to the Lake Trail. This trail is a bit rougher than the adjoining trails and features moderate changes in elevation. The trail obtains its name from the restored CCC powder house located nearby. The powder house was used by the Civilian Conservation Corps to store blasting powder and dynamite during the construction of the park and its trail system. Its somewhat remote location and fire or spark resistant construction was insurance against the ever present danger of explosion.

Blaze Color: Red

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Raider's Run Trail

The Raider's Run Trail is a .9 mile, difficult trail for hiking and biking. It forms a loop that is accessible from the parking area just off of the main park road and not far from the Hemlock Haven Conference Center access. This trail passes through the woods over steep uphills and downhills along a narrow track. This trail is the only means of access in two places to the Old Shawnee Trail.

Blaze Color: Royal Blue

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Camping Area

The park has four campsites, several cabins, and a group lodge. Campsites A and B offer electricity and water hookups at each site while site C offers primitive tent camping on wooden platforms. Camp Burson was recently purchased by the park to accommodate overflow and also is the only area to offer electric, water, and sewer hookups. Camp A and Camp Burson are located off of route 16 while camps B and C are located off of the main park road. Each campsite has its own bath house and individual sites have picnic tables and fire pits. Camp Burson also features a small camp store that features mainly camping necessities. Total campsites: 118 total in the park; 75 are in Camp Burson

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.4216 -81° 31.2016

Camp Burson

This campground is located before the entrance to Hungry Mother State Park proper. Camp Burson guests register at Camp Burson, not at the Discovery Center, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Guests may register at the Discovery Center in the off-season. The entrance is on the right side of Park Boulevard just before you reach the park's main entrance. Camp Burson guests will need to drive to the park's main gate to gain access to all other amenities at the park - swimming, restaurant, concessions, gift shop, cabins, other campgrounds, Hemlock Haven, etc. All Virginia State Park rules, regulations and policies pertaining to reservations apply to Camp Burson guests. 75 total campsites.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 52.1491 -81° 31.5613

Cabins

The park offers rentable cabins. These are accessible from the main park road up hill from campground B. Cabins have kitchens with electricity and water and sleep up to 6 people.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.2950 -81° 31.2250

Hemlock Haven Cabins

All cabins at Hemlock Haven are rented by the week during prime season under Hungry Mother State Park. The Pines and other cabins at Hemlock Haven require weekly stays, Friday to Friday, Memorial Day through Labor Day. A minimum two-night stay is required otherwise, and sometimes such shorter stays can be arranged during prime season by calling 30 days in advance. All cabins at Hemlock Haven are priced the same as two-bedroom cabin rentals.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.4483 -81° 31.4866

Hungry Mother Lodge

Six bedroom lodge (Sleeps 15 maximum). It's a great place for a get-together. (There are no bed rentals for lodge.) Saturday - Saturday weekly rental. This recently renovated log lodge offers a view of the park. It was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. Handicapped accessible. Interior logs have been stained in a light finish. Six bedrooms: Master bedroom with a double bed, three bedrooms with queen size beds, one with two sets of bunk beds (making four beds), and one bedroom with a single bed and a set of bunk beds (making three beds).

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.2253 -81° 31.2394

Picnic Area

Picnicking the park offers a large picnic area with tables and outdoor grills that is situated alongside the lake in between the beach and campsite B. In this area are also three large picnic shelters. Shelters 1 and 2 accommodate about 75 people, while shelter 3 is divided into two separate halves that can each accommodate 40 people. Each shelter (including 3a and 3b) have electric lighting, electric and water hookups, fireplaces with chimneys, and outdoor grills. A small gazebo with electric hookups and lighting is also located in picnic area close to the restaurant.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.2783 -81° 31.4133

Picnic Shelters

The park has three large picnic shelters. Shelters 1 and 2 accommodate about 75 people, while shelter 3 is divided into two separate halves that can each accommodate 40 people. Each shelter (including 3a and 3b) have electric lighting, electric and water hookups, fireplaces with chimneys, and outdoor grills.They can be rented from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. (all day).A small gazebo with electric hookups and lighting is also located in picnic area close to the restaurant.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.2783 -81° 31.4133

Beach Facility

Beach Facility is located on the lake close to the discovery center and is accessible off of the main park road. It offers a snack bar, showers and restrooms, and a place to buy wristbands that grant access to the beach. The beach is guarded and for safety reasons visitors are not allowed to swim anywhere else. Nearby are picnic tables, outdoor grills, a playground, and a small dock for fishing. From Memorial Day through Labor Day only, the beach and snack bar are open from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M. weekdays and from 10 A.M.. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

• Season/Hours: Summer/See Summary
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.0744 -81° 31.5334

Hemlock Haven Conference Center

Located in the Southwest Blue Ridge Highlands of Virginia, just north of the town of Marion in Smyth County, Hemlock Haven Conference Center boasts modern meeting and lodging facilities within the peaceful surroundings of Hungry Mother State Park, one of the original parks in the state park system. Significant natural resources and nearby recreational opportunities such as Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area, and the Jefferson National Forest, as well as Hungry Mother State Park itself, make Hemlock Haven an ideal location for day and overnight conferences, banquets, family reunions, company picnics and more.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Call: (276) 781-7425 - Reserved by Hemlock Haven
• Location:36° 53.3149 -81° 31.4299

The Restaurant

During your visit, be sure to enjoy one of the original CCC facilities, the park's full-service, park-operated The Restaurant. Hours vary seasonally. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the dining room is open Wednesday through Saturday from 11 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's also open for Sunday brunch from 11 A.M.. to 2:30 p.m. The Restaurant is closed after Labor Day to the general public, but is available for catering and parties. As with all state park facilities, circumstances may require deviation from this schedule so please call (276) 781-7425 first.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Hours vary seasonally
• Fee: Call (276) 781-7425
• Location:36° 53.2000 -81°31.5033

Discovery Center

The Discovery Center is situated on route 16 right next to the park office. It teachers visitors about the local wildlife with many displays of both live and stuffed animals. Here people can also learn about forestry, the local history, and about the CCC that built this park as one of Virginias original six. This facility also offers a small gift shop where visitors may purchase souvenirs.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park (276) 781-7400
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 52.9616 -81° 31.5550

Fishing Area

Fishing is available all along Hungry Mother Lake except for the beach area. People wishing to fish may do so from shore or from a boat and must have a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license. Some trails, such as the Lake Loop Trail and the Lake Trail, have benches or terraces alongside them with lantern hangers that allow for quiet nighttime fishing.

• Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/Day and Night
• Fee: Valid Virginia Fishing License
• Location:36° 53.0966 -81° 31.4533

Amphitheater

The amphitheater, popular for weddings, can be rented from noon to 10 P.M. (full day). Those renting for the full day can access the amphitheater before the start time if desired. Call 1-800-933-PARK to rent. As it's on an island, it's accessed by footbridge from the main park area. The structure has one electrical outlet and is near parking lot five. Up to 60 can be accommodated on the uncovered wooden benches. Standing room can accommodate another 40. You're welcome to bring more chairs if you like, but be sure to remove them when leaving. No park equipment, such as a microphone, is provided.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 53.2105 -81° 31.3395