Hungry Mother State Park - Virginia State Park

National and State Parks - Recreational Areas

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Hungry Mother State Park

State Park Information
Hungry Mother State Park
2854 Park Boulevard
Marion, 24354-6366

State Park Overview
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.

Much of the land for Hungry Mother State Park was donated by local landowners to develop a new state park in Smyth County on Hungry Mother Creek. The park is one of the six original CCC parks that opened in June 1936.

Picnicking
This park offers three shelters for rent through the Reservations Center at 1-800-933-PARK (in Richmond, 225-3867). They can be rented from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (all day), or 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (half-days). Shelter 3 is large and can be rented in two separate sections. The parks amphitheater can also be rented (see below under "special offerings"). Parking and swimming fees are not included in shelter or amphitheater rental. All shelters are available April 1-October 31 at other times they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelter amenities include charcoal grill, picnic tables, electical outlets, fireplace, lights and access to restrooms.

Cancellation policy No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, theres a cancellation fee.

Shelter 1This handicapped accessible shelter is a favorite because its closest to the beach, playground, boat rentals, restaurant and handicapped accessible restrooms. It overlooks the lake and accommodates 75. Amenities include electrical outlets - fireplace at each end - large Texas size grill and 12 picnic tables. Around the shelter are tables not for rent theyre taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Shelter 2This secluded shelter accommodates 75. There are tables located around the shelter that are not reserved and are take on a first-come, first-served basis. This shelter, - parking lot 5, is tucked in the woods just past the restaurant and - the boat rental area and the amphitheater. It is often used along with weddings held at the amphitheater. It features electrical outlets, fireplaces at each end - large Texas-sized grill and 12 picnic tables.

Shelter 3Shelter 3, the largest -ccommodates 40 on each of its two sides (a & bbut it can be rented in whole). There are tables located around the shelter that are not rented and are take on a first-come, first-served basis. There are electrical outlets on each side of the shelter brick fireplaces separate two halves of shelter. This shelter is not handicapped accessible. It has a large Texas-sized grill and six picnic tables at each end of the shelter. It is - parking lot 6 and the restrooms. The restrooms are not handicapped accessible.

Boating

Swimming

Fishing and Hunting

History of the Area
John D. and Mildred Lincoln donated 1,881 acres to the state for the establishment of a state park in Smyth County on Hungry Mother Creek in 1933. Later that year the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began construction of Hungry Mother and five other state parks. Roads, trails, picnic areas, cabins - restaurant, bathhouse, dam and sanitation system were all built by the 600 CCC men at the park between 1933 and 1941. On June 13, 1936, the six-park Virginia State Park System was officially dedicated with public opening ceremonies at Hungry Mother State Park in Smyth County. More than 5,000 turned out to see the park as Governor George Peery and State Park Director Robert Burson officiated.

The Legend of Hungry Mother

Legend has it 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 until the child found help. The only words the child could utter were "Hungry Mother." The search party arrived at the foot of the mountain where Molly collapsed to find the childs mother dead. Today that mountain is Molly?s Knob and the stream is Hungry Mother Creek.