Occoneechee State Park

Big Oak Nature Trail

The Big Oak Trail is a 0.8 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail, that is accessible from the main park road as well as close to campground B. This trail winds through groves of large, mature oaks that are as much as 200 years old. An excellent trail for birdwatching and admiring the majestic trees for which it is named.

Blaze Color: Yellow

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Campground B Connection Trail

Campground B Connection Trail is a .2 mile, moderate difficulty connector trail that takes hikers from the Plantation trail up a small hill to the road near campground B. This trail is notable for the unmarked graves of several slaves that probably once served on the plantation. The site is now marked with an interpretive sign and serves as a reminder of this area's storied past.

Blaze Color: Yellow

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Mossey Creek Trail

The Mossey Creek Nature Trail is a .7 mile, easy, hiking and partial multi-use trail, that is accessible from the Plantation Trail, the Warrior's Path Trail, and from the main park road. The trail takes users through wooded areas of loblolly pine, sweet gum, oak and ash trees while it crosses Mossey Creek a few times with the help of several bridges. An excellent trail for observing the area's wildlife, the keen observer may spy a variety of animals including a well disguised frog or toad before it hops away.

Blaze Color: Blue

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Old Plantation Trail

The Old Plantation Interpretive Trail is a 1.2 mile, easy hiking loop, that is accessible from the terrace gardens and provides access to the campground B trail and the Mossey Creek Trail. The trail winds through the woods, passing the remains of several structures that once made up William Townes's Occoneechee Plantation. Along the trail, hikers will encounter the family cemetery. Behind the home was once an extensive, five-terraced garden. Although most of the original plants died long ago, the boxwoods that once lined the path have grown tall.

Blaze Color: Red

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Panhandle Multi Use Trail

The Panhandle Multi Use Trail is a 7.5 mile, or 15 mile round trip, moderate difficulty trail that is available for use by hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Before heading out on the trail please be aware that when the lake rises to 304 feet, the park closes the trail. In addition, the trail may be closed to horses at different times throughout the year due to wetness. Please check the trail head notice boards or at the Park Office for trail conditions before you go. The trail is accessible from several locations including trailer parking areas across from the Visitor Center and at the end of the Wildlife Management Area road.

Blaze Color: White

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Tutelo Birding Trail

The Tutelo Birding Trail is a moderate difficulty hiking trail that winds through numerous habitats and affords the opportunity for viewing a variety of birds. The trail begins on the main park road and winds between wildlife enhancement plots before entering the woods. Hikers will pass through mixed hardwood/pine forest, cross a small stream, and emerge from the woods at an observation platform that overlooks both open field areas and pine forest. Common birds to be watching for include eastern bluebirds, wild turkeys, cardinals, red tailed hawks, various warblers, and many others.

Blaze Color: Red

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Warrior's Path Trail

The Warrior's Path Trail is a .4 mile, moderate difficulty hiking trail that connects the Mossey Creek Trail and the parking lot near the boat ramp. This trail is mostly wooded and includes a connector to the Panhandle Trail which is open to mountain bikers.

Blaze Color: Orange

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Amphitheater

The amphitheater is located near the park office and can be rented for a full day. This open air facility seats over 200 people, overlooks the lake, and has water, electricity, and lights. This is also used occasionally for park programming.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Full or Half Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.4917 -78° 31.6917

Boat Launch Near Visitor Center

There is one large motorboat ramp close to the visitor center and two more are located near the boating center that overlooks the town of Clarksville. Fishing is allowed from the ramp near the visitor center but not from the other two.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.4383 -78° 31.5083

Boat Launches Near Rental Area

There are 2 boat launches available near the Clarksville Marine Rentals area. Fishing is not allowed from these launches.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.4383 -78° 31.5083

Fishing Area

At 48,000 acres, Buggs Island Lake is the largest lake in Virginia and offers excellent fishing. Visitors may fish from the parks shore or may go out in boats and fish on the lake. Some fish found here include the catfish, white bass, striped bass, sunfish, crappie and largemouth bass. The Virginia record for largest catfish caught was caught here in Buggs Island Lake. Many tournaments are held on the lake every year, several of them right out of the park. Those wishing to fish must have a VA or NC freshwater fishing license.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Picnic Area

The parks main picnic area is located close to the visitor center. It offers restrooms, a playground, and two reservable picnic shelters.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 34.4117 -78° 31.6033

Picnic Shelters

Shelter 1 overlooks the lake, holds 40-50 people, and has electricity, lights and water. Shelter 2 holds about 80 people and has lights and electricity. It has no water fountain but water is available at the restrooms nearby. They can be rented from 8 A.M. to dusk (all day). Call 1-800-933-PARK to reserve. Shelter users may use the volleyball area, and the park lends volleyballs as well as horseshoes. The shelters are available for rent from the first weekend in March through the first weekend in December. Parking fees are not included in the rental.

• Season/Hours: Spring, Summer, Fall/Full Day
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.3600 -78° 31.6050

Camping Areas

The park has a total of 48 campsites, including both primitive, water and electric sites. Some campsites are situated close to the lake. Campsites are located within the park's two campgrounds, campground B and C ( A campground was closed several years ago) Campground C has two bathhouses and all of the primitive sites. C also has a small primitive picnic shelter. B Campground has one bathhouse and all 14 sites are water and electric.

• Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:N/A

Visitor Center

The parks visitor center is accessible from the main park road. Its primary focus is to teach visitors about the Occoneechee Indians who once inhabited the areas around the park. Inside the visitor center there are many artifacts on display. Here visitors can also learn about interaction with English colonists and how the native Americans were displaced. This facility also has a small gift shop where souvenirs may be purchased as well as ice and firewood.

• Season/Hours: All Year/Call Park
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.4286 -78° 31.6211

Cabins

The 13 cabins at Occoneechee State Park are fully furnished with an equipped kitchen, climate control, outdoor decks, a fireplace, an outdoor grill, and a picnic table. Linens are provided, as well as dishes and utensils. The cabins are a wonderful way to escape from the rush of everyday life without sacrificing the comforts of home. For reservations contact 1-800-933-7275 or visit www.virginiastateparks.gov and click on "Reserve Online Now".

• Season/Hours: All Year/
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:

Equestrian Campground

Occoneechee offers 11 Equestrian Campsites and 11 nearby stalls to house horses overnight. Each site has 50 amp electric hookups, and the campground has easy access to the Panhandle Multi-Use Trail. Equestrian Campsites are $15.00 a night, and the stalls are $9.00 a night.

• Season/Hours: All Year/
• Fee: Park Fees
• Location:36° 37.1413 -78° 30.4340