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Hungry Mother
Overview
Hungry Mother State Park stands as one of the original six state parks in Virginia, a testament to the enduring appeal of the Appalachian landscape. Named after a legendary local story of survival, the park is centered around a picturesque 108-acre lake that reflects the surrounding timbered ridges. It offers a sense of timelessness, where historic stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps blend seamlessly with modern camping facilities, creating a premier destination for Virginia travelers who value both heritage and nature.
Location & Surroundings
Nestled within the heart of the Ridge and Valley Province near Marion, Virginia, the park is surrounded by the lush expanses of the Jefferson National Forest. This location offers a perfect balance between accessibility and seclusion, as it is just a short drive from the amenities of town while remaining deeply tucked into the mountain terrain. The area is defined by cascading streams and steep elevation changes, providing a true mountain atmosphere for every visitor who makes the journey to this corner of Southwest Virginia.
Amenities & Park Features
The park provides exceptional facilities for RVers, primarily within Camp Burson, which offers sites with full hookups and easy access to the park's main attractions. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of on-site amenities designed for comfort and recreation:
- Clean, modern restrooms and hot showers located conveniently near the campsites.
- A full-service restaurant and gift shop serving southern-style favorites overlooking the water.
- Extensive boating and fishing opportunities with seasonal rentals available on-site.
These features make it easy to transition from a day of rugged exploration to an evening of comfortable relaxation right at your campsite.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Beyond the park boundaries, the region is rich with cultural and outdoor exploration. Many visitors take the short drive to downtown Marion to visit the Lincoln Theatre, home of the famous Song of the Mountains bluegrass series. For those seeking a thrill, the nearby Back of the Dragon offers 32 miles of winding mountain roads that are a favorite for scenic driving. Additionally, the proximity to the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area provides endless miles of backcountry trails for the dedicated adventurer looking to summit Virginia’s highest peaks.
Who This Park Is Best For
Hungry Mother is an ideal destination for multi-generational families who want a mix of safe, organized recreation and immersion in nature. It is also a top choice for avid hikers who want to challenge themselves on the trail to Molly's Knob for an incredible view of the valley below. If you are an RV traveler looking for a park that offers the peace of the woods without sacrificing the convenience of reliable amenities, this Virginia gem is likely to fit your travel style perfectly.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Casey
Hungry Mother State Park is a beautiful and well-maintained destination for a relaxing getaway. My family and I camped here for a long weekend and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The fall foliage was stunning, creating a picturesque backdrop throughout the park. The facilities and campsites were clean, and the atmosphere was peaceful and quiet—perfect for a family retreat. Highly recommend for anyone looking to enjoy nature and unwind.
Syrus Wazir
This is a unique state park in Virginia. The park has a beautiful Lake that offers recreational opportunities for electric boaters, paddleboarders, and kayakers. They also have a swimming area for families with very soft beach sand for kids to make sand castles or wherever their imagination takes them! Fishing opportunities are great. Park also offers hiking trails and several campgrounds for tent camping or RV camping with bathrooms, showers, and electric hookups. Camp sites have picnic tables and fire rings.
Norma Migliore
I was there for only a few hours at my husband's company picnic. It seems like a very nice park. Trails for hiking. Water toys to rent - canoes, kayaks (single, double or fishing) paddle boards, pedal boats, hydro bikes. Great spots to have a family picnic, some very large shelters with picnic tables, grills available. Rest rooms, building with kitchen area to rent for functions. I noted signs for geocaching. I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. I will be back to play and explore some more! 😊
Cal “Stone” Breitbach
we stayed at the tent only platforms in royal oak campground. very cute and unique stay. make sure your tent and fly don’t need to be staked in order to stay up! you get a free day of swimming at the beach for each day you camp. the swimming area is a short drive or walk away from the royal oak campground. the swimming area was quite small and they do not allow swimming outside of the marked off area which is really disappointing. when we went swimming a day camp of maybe 60-70 children showed up and took up pretty much the whole swimming area so it would have been nice to not all be corralled in a small area together, especially for my group of competent adult swimmers who just wanted to float in our floaties! bathrooms and shower areas at the royal oak campground were standard— no complaints. you must check in at the park office on the road before you pull into the swim area/campground area before you can actually check into your site—the ranger station closer to the beach and campgrounds are not where you check in. all the rangers and camp hosts we interacted with were nothing but pleasant!
ashleybrahosky
Is Royal Oak campground new? It was the cleanest state park we've been to this year. The bathrooms were spotless, clean, and well shocked. The tent platforms were massive! We walked the lake loop trail and included the CCC Trail hike, which was beautiful and well maintained. Lake was pristine, and we went swimming with our dogs. Had we had more time, we would have rented kayaks and did a lake day. Saw lots of people out, paddling and fishing. The rangers at the Information/Discovery center were informative, knowledgeable, and great to talk to. You can buy wood there also for $7 a bundle, which was cheaper than other places around. The center sells awesome stickers, some snacks, and t-shirts. The CCC exhibit was excellent, with tons of pictures and relics. Really enjoyed our stay. Can't wait to visit again.