Friends of Hungry Mother State Park

06/17/2026

06/17/2026

👏 Great job, Gracie! What an awesome turnout!🌲💚

06/16/2026

Congratulations to Monica and Phil Nebe who completed their Master Hiker designation at High Bridge Trail State Park!

Here is what they said about their journey:

"We began our Trail Quest effort in 2014 when the program started. Since then, we have camped, hiked, biked, and paddled in the parks numerous times every year. In the midst of regular visits this year to nearby parks, we made it our goal to reach the nine parks we were still missing.

Our favorites for biking are Pocahontas State Park, High Bridge Trail and New River Trail State Park, although we have biked in many parks. Biking to False Cape State Park this year was so fun and such a unique adventure!

Our favorites for paddling are Pocahontas, Bear Creek Lake State Park, Holliday Lake State Park, Douthat State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, Occoneechee State Park and Shenandoah River State Park.

We love camping at all the parks, but our favorite campsites are Lakeside at Douthat, Creekside at Hungry Mother, and Bear Creek Lake.

While visiting the parks, we enjoy exploring the local towns, eating at local restaurants, and discovering other points of interest.

During our Trail Quest effort, we’ve also been able to visit other states’ parks. Among all the others, Virginia State Parks are among the best! We love the diversity, friendly staff, and excellent facilities of our home state parks. There is something for everyone at every park. Keep on exploring!"

Thank you for sharing your journey and for being part of the Trail Quest and Virginia State Park family!

Explore Virginia State Parks one step at a time with Trail Quest, learn more: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/trail-quest

06/16/2026

☀️ Beat the heat with one of our water-based ranger-led programs! We're offering a variety of adventures all summer long, including:

🚣‍♀️ Early morning kayaking tours
🚣‍♀️ Paddle in the park
🚣‍♀️ What's SUP?

Find the full schedule at www.virginiastateparks.gov/hungrymother-events.

06/15/2026

🌲✨ Celebrating 90 Years of Hungry Mother State Park! ✨🌲
Today marks a special milestone—90 years since Hungry Mother State Park officially opened on June 15, 1936 as one of Virginia’s original six state parks.
Built during the Great Depression by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this treasured park has welcomed generations of families to its lake, trails, and mountain views. Whether you’ve spent summers swimming at the beach, hiking to Molly’s K**b, or simply enjoying the peaceful beauty, Hungry Mother holds a place in so many hearts right here in Smyth County.
For 90 years, it’s been more than just a park—it’s been a backdrop for memories, traditions, and the natural beauty we’re so proud to call home.
💚 Here’s to 90 years of adventure, history, and community—and to many more to come!

06/15/2026

06/13/2026

In 1933, opportunity and vision converged during a visit with President Franklin D. Roosevelt at Camp Rapidan. Virginia’s conservation leader William E. Carson made a bold suggestion: put the new Civilian Conservation Corps to work building a system of state parks.

Roosevelt agreed but only if Virginia could show the nation what such a system could mean to a state. Less than a year later, the Commonwealth had secured the land for its first six state parks: Douthat State Park, Fairy Stone State Park, Hungry Mother State Park, Seashore State Park (Known today as First Landing State Park), Staunton River State Park and Westmoreland State Park.

On this day, June 13, 1936, Virginia State Parks held an opening ceremony at Hungry Mother State Park. Thousands attended for concerts, a water pageant and more, all in anticipation of the public opening of the state park system planned for two days later.

Learn more about the history of Virginia State Parks here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/history

Photo courtesy of Smyth County, Virginia

06/10/2026

Hey friends!! Summer is in full swing now, which means daily programming has officially begun at Hungry Mother State Park! ☀️🌲

From guided hikes and nature programs to crafts, games, lake activities, and evening events, there’s something happening every day for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re spending the whole week with us or just stopping by for the day, we’d love for you to join in on the fun!

Be sure to stop by the Discovery Center or check the weekly schedule to see what programs are happening during your visit. We can’t wait to spend the summer with everyone! 🌿✨

06/05/2026

In 1926, Virginia brought conservation under one roof with the creation of the State Commission on Conservation and Development.

By 1929, statewide interest in creating Virginia state parks surged. Leaders from the Virginia Academy of Science, the Garden Club of Virginia and the Izaak Walton League gathered in Richmond to champion the idea — presenting their support directly to Governor Elect John Garland Pollard.

Their momentum led the Commission to study state park systems across the East. The findings from that 1930 study shaped the early blueprint for Virginia State Parks as we know them today.

To learn the history of Virginia State Parks and more, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dcr100/

06/04/2026

Celebrate National Trails Day June 6th with a hike to Molly's K**b, the most scenic vista in Hungry Mother State Park (....and maybe all of Southwest Virginia??)

Read all about it on the Visit Smyth County event calendar, and find plenty of other weekend fun!

https://visitsmythcountyva.com/event-calendar/?start=2026-06-05&end=2026-06-07&imgoing-event=mollys-knob-hike-6a1844b3a4c22f0571a65a24