Staunton River

Staunton River SP https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/staunton-river https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staunton_River_State_Park Staunton River State Park is located along the Staunton River near Scottsburg, Virginia. Construction of the park was begun at the confluence of the Staunton and Dan Rivers in 1933; Buggs Island Lake was formed in the early 1950s. These two rivers form the Roanoke River basin, and the section of land starting at the park and continuing downstream beside the Roanoke River was known as the Roanoke River valley.

WELCOME TO STAUNTON RIVER STATE PARK. To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Self-pay parking information is available at the contact station. EMERGENCY - For fire or medical emergencies, dial 911. For a law enforcement or critical maintenance issue, call 800933-7275 and select the appropriate option. For more information, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov or contact the park office. TRAIL INFORMATION DIFFICULTY SCALE EASY - From .5 to 1 mile; grades are short, typically fewer than 100 feet and less than 10 percent of the trail length; easily accomplished by all users, including the elderly and those with physical or mental disabilities, with little risk of injury or fatigue. MODERATE - From 1 to 5 miles; steepness and grade lengths vary; at least 60 percent of the length is fairly flat; healthy people can accomplish the trail with little risk of injury or fatigue. TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS Crow’s Nest Trail: 0.4-mile (multi-use trail): Access via District office parking and Dan River Boat Ramp. This short section of trail bridges the River Bank and Robins Roost Trails. This is one of our more open trails due to a tornado that devastated this part of the park back in 2011. You will have the ability to see just how resilient nature is as you take a journey through this once desolated area. While hiking, you will be able to see succession at work. This trail provides great opportunities to see how different species contribute to the health and regrowth of the forest. Edmunds Loop Trail: 3.7-mile (multi-use trail): Access via Day-use Equestrian parking, and the Equestrian Campground. You will notice the path on this trail is very clear and wide, this trail runs along many of the old logging roads used for timber harvest of this property before it was acquired by SRSP in 2005. Biking and Equestrian use is well suited for this trail due to its wide nature, and mostly shaded landscape. Fitness Trail: Access via Visitor Center trail access. Travelling parallel to the Captain Staunton trail, this short section of trail helps you stay in shape as you test your physical ability on many obstacles of various difficulties. This trail is part of the original Captain Staunton Loop, which was previously closed, then repurposed and reopened in 2018 in the form that you see it today. River Bank Trail: 8.5-mile (multi-use trail): Access via Beaver Swamp Trail: 1.2-mile (multi-use trail): Access via Day-use Equestrian parking, and the Equestrian Campground. This trail connects the Equestrian Campground with the trails in the rest of the park. This trail acts as a bridge between the Twin Loops and Edmunds Loop trails. Note the transition from native hardwood forests to the pine lands once used for timber harvest throughout this property. This land was acquired in 2005 from the Edmunds family and provides a great area for biking and equestrian use. Visitor Center trail access, District Office parking, Day-use Equestrian parking, pool parking, parking at Staunton River shelter, parking at shelters 1&2, and Dan River Boat Ramp. Our longest and most accessible trail at 8.5 miles, this trail meanders along the Staunton and Dan Rivers boasting many beautiful overlooks. The most notable of these is the Point, which is the intersection where the Dan and Staunton Rivers converge and form Buggs Island Lake (John H. Kerr Reservoir), the largest lake in Virginia. Captain Staunton Trail: 0.4-mile (hiking trail): Access Robin’s Roost Trail: 1.3-mile (multi-use trail): Access via District office parking. This engaging trail intersects the River Bank Trail on each side of the park. Travel through our native Oak Hickory Forest as you make your way from the Staunton River to the Dan River. This trail is a perfect picture of what the original ecosystem was like before human influence on this land. Swing by the Nature Center to get more information about the history of land use in this park. via Visitor Center trail access. This Trail is our ADA accessible trail and a central access for many of the other trails in the park. It is a connecter ending at the intersection of the River Bank Trail at a beautiful overlook of the Staunton River. Benches are located at the end of the trail. Staunton River Loop Trail: 0.7-mile (multi-use trail): Access via Day-use Equestrian parking, and the Equestrian Campground. An off-shoot from the Edmunds Loop, this trail will take you on a hilly journey as you travel up and down along the Staunton River Bank. This trail has multiple beautiful vantage points, and has two overlooks where you can rest and enjoy the landscape. Tutelo Trail: 0.1-mile (hiking trail): Access via Pool parking. This trail provides access to the pool facilities as well as to Shelter 1. Access to the first of nine holes in our wooded disk

WELCOME TO STAUNTON RIVER STATE PARK. To make your visit safe and more pleasant, we ask that you observe the following: Take only pictures, leave only footprints. Park in designated areas only. Please note there is a parking fee charged year-round at all Virginia State Parks. Honor parking information is found at the park entrance. PRESERVE – Help preserve your park. Please don’t cut or mar any plants or trees. Collecting animal or plant life is allowed only for scientific purposes by permit from the Richmond headquarters. Don’t feed any wild animals. ALCOHOL - State law permits alcohol use only in private areas (inside your cabin or camping unit) or in areas designated on permits issued by the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. PETS - Pets are permitted in enclosed areas or on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please clean up after your pet. Pets may not be left unattended at any time. DRONES AND OTHER AIRCRAFT - Drones, other unmanned aerial vehicles, including remote control aircraft, and aircraft in general may not be flown in state parks pursuant to 4VAC5-30-400. LITTER - Please help us keep the park clean by placing litter and recyclables in the proper receptacles and recycle centers or carrying out your trash. The releasing of balloons is not allowed. Decorative balloons must be deflated and disposed of as trash. FIRE - Help prevent wildfires. Fires must be confined to grills, camp stoves or designated fire rings. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when left. Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park. Campers and guests may collect only down and dead firewood. We enforce all seasonal and emergency bans on open fires. GUESTS - Your guests are our guests. For everyone’s safety and security, please register all visitors with the park office or camp store. Visitors will not be admitted to camping and cabin areas unless so identified. Visitors are permitted only between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. QUIET HOURS - Quiet hours are between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. The use of generators is prohibited at all times. CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT POLICY Camping: Check-in 4 p.m. Check-out 1 p.m. Cabins: Check-in 4 p.m. Check-out 10 a.m. In many cases, campers may be accommodated prior to the official check-in. Please remember that only those 18 or older may register. The registrant is responsible for all occupants of the campsite or cabin. Feel free to arrive early and enjoy park amenities prior to check-in. Overnight guests are encouraged to be familiar with the early departure policy since it impacts any refund due. The policy along with other frequently asked questions can be found here: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/faq. CAMPING - Camping is allowed only in designated camp- grounds and only after following the proper check-in procedure described in the Reservation and Fees Guide available at the park office. Campsite occupancy is for a maximum of six people or the number of people in a single household. Two camping units are allowed per campsite; only one axled camper is allowed per site. All camping units, equipment and vehicles must be placed within the perimeter of the designated campsite without infringing on adjoining campsites or vegetation. Where high impact areas are designated, all camping units, equipment and vehicles must be within the defined borders of the high impact area. Park in designated areas only. SWIMMING - Pool swimming is generally available for PARKING - Only two motor vehicles, as well as the camping unit, are permitted on a campsite without incurring additional fees. Cabin guests are allowed two vehicles for a one or two-bedroom cabin. Those with additional vehicles must pay the established parking fee for each day the vehicle is in the park. The number of vehicles allowed to park at the cabin varies according to site design and other factors. All vehicles must be parked in designated areas, either at the cabin or in the designated overflow parking area. Primitive and hike-in sites may have park specific parking restrictions. FISHING - A Virginia freshwater fishing license is required. The maximum overnight stay per park is 14 days in any 30-day period. POLLUTION - Help reduce pollution. Dump stations, laundry sinks and slop sinks, where available, are for the proper disposal of wastewater. Please, no boat, RV or car washing. a fee during scheduled hours between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day During this time period the weather and other issues beyond our control may reduce the availability of swimming. There are no other designated swimming areas in the park. PARK ACCESSIBILITY - We strive to make each park as barrier-free as possible. Universally accessible facilities are available throughout Virginia State Parks. EMERGENCY - For medical or fire emergencies dial 9-1-1. For other assistance dial 800-933-7275: for law enforcement or facility emergencies press 1; to reach the on-duty ranger press 2. INFORMATION - For more

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA HyperFEST—Alton FLOAT BUGGS ISLAND LAKE (CLARKSVILLE): SAM DEAN / SOUTH BOSTON: SARAH HAUSER SOUTHERN VIRGINIA 110 Buggs Island Lake—Clarksville RACE Get your adrenaline pumping in Virginia’s Racing Region – boasting six speedways and raceways for super fans and families alike! The historic Martinsville Speedway has hosted the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series for 50 years and offers some of the most exciting races around. Also notable to NASCAR history, South Boston Speedway, “America’s Hometown Track” since 1957, offers plenty of excitement and affordable family entertainment – right where racing greats like Ward and Jeff Burton got their start. While you’re in the area, cruise on down to VIRginia International Raceway (VIR), a “motorsport resort,” where racing fans can also enjoy on-site lodging, plus fun activities like skeet shooting, off-road racing, go-karts and more. STROLL South Boston From boutiques and restaurants to farmers markets and historic districts, designated Main Street communities are perfect for an easy day out and about. In Danville, the elegant Millionaires Row showcases gorgeous Victorian, Edwardian, Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture, built by 19th-century tobacco and textile barons. Also shaped by its significant role in the tobacco industry, South Boston’s downtown is best explored on foot via a Historic District Walking Tour. And when visiting Martinsville, be sure to explore the Fayette Street Historic District, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, which developed as a vibrant cultural center for the African-American community from 1900 to the mid-20th century. GAZE The Milky Way has never looked more beautiful than when viewed from Staunton River State Park! Designated as an International Dark Sky Park, exceptionally dark evenings allow star gazers to be completely enveloped by nature as they take in the night sky. LOVE Put a little LOVE in your heart and hit the road to discover several LOVEworks throughout the region in Emporia, Brunswick, South Hill, Boydton, Chase City, Clarksville, South Boston, Danville, Chatham and Martinsville. Don’t forget to hashtag #LOVEVA as you make memories and share the love! A L E X WO N G Offering quaint American Main Street communities, a distinctive local culinary scene and a plethora of outdoor activities, SOUTHERN VIRGINIA invites travelers to immerse themselves in the heart of the region’s rich culture. Scenic byways and classic country roads connect beautiful State Parks and attractions, while three major speedways and numerous raceways bring highspeed thrills to “Virginia’s Racing Region.” The Southern Virginia Wild Blueway, made up of the Dan, Staunton and Banister rivers, flows right into Buggs Island Lake - the state’s largest – so you can indulge in your favorite water activities or join one of their many state and national fishing tournaments. Or head to Occoneechee State Park, offering waterfront access and a marina with year-round boat and kayak rentals. Be sure to save the date for Clarksville’s Virginia Lake Festival in July, complete with music, hot air balloons and an incredible fireworks show on the water. VIRGINIA .ORG 111 q u O F F E R S A C C E S S F O R P E O P L E W H O A R E B L I N D O R H AV E L O W V I S I O N b BUSES/GROUP S WELCOME c $ P E T - F R I E N D LY FA C I L I T Y P R O V I D E S P R I N T E D M AT E R I A L I N B R A I L L E D PROVIDES DES CRIPTIONS BY A TRAINED AUDIO DES CRIBER P R O V I D E S A D E V I C E U S E D F O R C O M M U N I C AT I O N W I T H A N D B E T W E E N H E A R I N G I M PA I R E D ADMISSION REQUIRED I s W PROVIDES SIGN LANGUAGE PROVIDES ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS ADA-COMPLIANT Grove Street Cemetary 940 Grove St., 434-7935644; danville-va.gov/ documentcenter/home/ view/2286. Established in 1827. Early Danville families and slaves, some Confederates. bjI Victoria 29 15 360 Red Oak 220 29 Martinsville Axton 360 South Boston ALTON VIRginia International Raceway 1245 Pine Tree Rd., 434-822-7700; virnow.com. America’s motorsport resort, 3.27-mile road course. Country club, hotel, restaurant. $bj AXTON Lake Sugar Tree Motor Sports Park 400 Movie Mover E, 276-650-1158; lakesugartree.com. Oldest professional motorcross track in Virginia. Open to public. $bj Smith River Sports Complex 1000 Irisburg Rd., 276-638-5200; smithriversportscomplex.com. Tournaments, walking trails, river access and events. bjI BASSETT Bassett Historical Center 3964 Fairystone Park Hwy., 276-629-9191; bassetthistoricalcenter.com. Genealogical facility with collection of area artifacts, family, local, regional and Virginia history. bI Philpott Lake and Dam 1058 Philpott Dr., 276-629-2703; visitmartinsville.com/lakes. Scenic overlook, campgrounds and history museum of pristine 3,000-acre lake. bjI Philpott Marina 300 Boat Dock Rd., 276-340-0485; philpottmarina.com. Fuel slip, marina store, boat launch, restroom, picnic area. bjI Danvi

Programs & Education Discounts Families, schools, scouts, groups and individuals are encouraged to come learn more about their world. Virginia State Parks offer premier educational sites and programming to promote lifelong learning and appreciation of the outdoors. Learn the essentials of archery. Tour a cave or design a hiking stick. Enjoy a ranger-led hike, eagle tour or owl prowl. Challenge yourself to get outdoors and discover more parks by participating in the Trail Quest or Paddle Quest programs or improve outdoor skills with the help of the Let’s Go Adventures series. Up-to-the minute, comprehensive information is available at www. virginiastateparks.gov. Virginia State Parks are affordable every day, but annual passes can save you money on parking, boat launching and swimming. The Customer Loyalty Program lets you earn points that can be redeemed for free or discounted overnight stays. Park Accessibility Virginia State Parks strive to make each park as barrier-free as possible. Contact the Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or individual parks for more information before your trip. History & Culture Pets Immerse yourself in Colonial times, the Civil War or the Underground Railroad. Discover the impact of the Civilian Conservation Corps on the development of several parks and the Civil Rights Movement in reshaping the parks system towards racial equality. From museums and historic homes to visitor centers and state-of-the-art exhibits, Virginia State Parks offer a glimpse into the past and celebrate the regions’ history and culture. Step back in time and uncover mysteries of those at rest in a park’s historic cemetery or join a canoe tour and learn the history of an old mining “boomtown” that now lies below the lake’s surface. Witness a floating piece of history as replica wooden batteaux drift down a river like they would have in the 1700s. With events and festivals as diverse as the parks, you’ll find music, arts and crafts, local food and beverage, and more. Pets are welcome but must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet or in an enclosed area at all times. Cabin guests are charged $10 plus tax per night per pet. No pet fee is charged for camping Nature & Environment All parks have trails, many with signs explaining the environment. Wander trails at First Landing through cypress swamps or hike Caledon’s trails along ridges and ravines through rare old-growth forest. Overlooks at Hungry Mother, Grayson Highlands and Natural Tunnel offer a glimpse of powerful geological forces that shaped the land. See how rivers shaped some parks, such as Belle Isle, James River, Natural Bridge, Powhatan and Westmoreland. www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275) www.virginiastateparks.gov | 800-933-PARK (7275) CT • CT • B/E/H • B/E/H/U 540-862-8100 540-291-1326 540-297-6066 T • B/H • • FP • • • • • • FP B/E/H H • • B/H NORTHERN VIRGINIA Culpeper Battlefields Lake Anna Leesylvania Mason Neck Sweet Run Widewater • 540-854-5503 703-730-8205 703-339-2385 540-668-6230 540-288-1400 • E/H • • • • • FP • H/U CT • • • B/H/U • • • • CT • B/E/H/U E/H • UD • FP • B/E/H/U • • B/H CHESAPEAKE BAY Belle Isle Caledon Machicomoco Westmoreland 804-462-5030 540-663-3861 804-642-2419 804-493-8821 • • • CT • • B/H • FP • B/H/U • • B/E/H/U COASTAL Chippokes False Cape­­­­ First Landing York River 757-294-3728 757-426-7128 757-412-2300 757-566-3036 • • B/H • • • • • B/H/U • • • FP 757-331-2267 • • • FP • • H/U/B 804-492-4410 434-315-0457 434-248-6308 434-933-4355 804-796-4255 804-598-7148 804-561-7510 434-392-3435 434-767-2398 T • • • • B/E/H T • • • • B/E/H P B/E/H/U B/E/H/U EASTERN SHORE Kiptopeke Claytor Lake Grayson Highlands Hungry Mother (Hemlock Haven Conference Center) New River Trail Shot Tower 540-643-2500 276-579-7092 276-781-7400 276-781-7425 276-699-6778 276-699-6778 • • • FP • • • T • • • CT • • • • B/H/U B/E/H • B/H/U Many parks offer overnight facilities suitable for reunions, weddings and special events. Some parks even have equestrian campsites. B/E/H/U • SOUTHERN VIRGINIA Fairy Stone Occoneechee Staunton River Battlefield Staunton River 276-930-2424 434-374-2210 434-454-4312 434-572-4623 T • • • 276-865-4413 276-254-5487 276-940-2674 276-940-2696 276-523-1322 276-445-3065 T • • • • • • • B/E/H/U B/E/H • B/H/U • • • • stay. B/E/H HEART OF APPALACHIA Breaks Interstate* Clinch River Natural Tunnel (Cove Ridge Conference Center) Southwest Virginia Museum Wilderness Road TABLE LEGEND­­­: B Biking CT Car-top Boat Launch E Equestrian FP Fishing Pier H Hiking P Pool Swimming T Electric Motors Only U Universally Accessible UD Under Development CT • • • • P B/E/H Shenandoah River Sky Meadows Douthat Smith Mountain Lake Lake Anna Leesylvania Belle Isle Caledon Machicomoco Westmoreland Chippokes False Cape­­­­ First Landing Kiptopeke Bear Creek Lake­ Holli

Hotel Weyanoke—Farmville Small Towns, Local charm, cozy curios and open arms make these small towns in Virginia worth exploring. Character WRITTEN BY MARY & BILL BURNHAM T KYLE LAFERRIERE 10 he phrase “small town” evokes nostalgia, authenticity and heartfeltwarmth in many of us. What’s not to love? They are authentic, accessible, friendly and stocked with locally-owned businesses. These are communities where you can get off the crowded highway, park the car and walk, ride a bike or even kayak through downtown. Small, family-run businesses offer one-of- a-kind handmade items, from jewelry and art to craft beers and wine. Farmers markets offer locally-grown produce and seafood spring through fall. With almost 200 incorporated towns, dozens more villages and hamlets, plus nearly 30 designated Virginia Main Street Communities, the hard part is deciding which Virginia towns to visit. VIRGINIA .ORG 11 Here are some of our favorites, d ending starting in southwest Virginia, an metown with a shameless plug for our ho on the Eastern Shore. High Bridge Trail State Park—Farmville Harrisonburg Big Stone Gap 12 Farmville HIGH BRIDGE TRAIL STATE PARK (FARMVILLE): ALI ZAMAN / SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA MUSEUM (BIG STONE GAP): JASON BARNETTE June Tolliver House and Art Folk Center—Big Stone Gap Southwest Virginia Museum—Big Stone Gap JUNE TOLLIVER HOUSE (BIG STONE GAP): TIM COX Southwest Virginia’s coal-mining history comes to life in the “Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” Virginia’s longest-running outdoor drama, performed Thursday through Saturday nights, late June through August. Before you go, be sure to read the Big Stone Gap novels by Adriana Trigiani, or watch the Hollywood film by the same name starring Ashley Judd and Whoopi Goldberg. Upon arrival, you can visit places featured in the film, such as Mutual Pharmacy, the Book Mobile, the Farmers Market, as well as the outdoor drama. Fine, well-preserved period homes house The John Fox Jr. Museum, the Southwest Virginia Museum and the June Tolliver House. Cozy B&Bs, cafes and a variety of antique and curio shops round out this small town gem. Fun Festival: 100th annual Tri State Singing Convention, June This formerly industrial town has been reinvented for recreation, craft beverage and shopping lovers. The Appomattox River that once carried tobacco barges is now a designated Scenic River carrying paddlers in search of whitewater or the calmer four-mile Farmville Blueway. The railroad that once carried coal now carries hikers, bikers and equestrians on the 30-mile-long High Bridge Trail State Park. Repurposed tobacco packing houses and lumber warehouses are reincarnated to house Appomattox River Company, Green Front Furniture and the Third Street Brewing Company, serving up local beer, live music, games for the kids and a pet-friendly beer garden. Together with the Virginia Tasting Cellar and the soon-to-open second location of James River Brewing, Farmville is fast becoming a destination for craft beverage lovers. Fun Festival: Heart of Virginia Festival, May Set amidst the vast playground of the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg has been called “one of the best mountain bike towns in America” by National Geographic. Forward-thinking entrepreneurs and artisans have blended the past with the present to create a lively melting pot that is distinctive to this college town. Named Virginia’s first Culinary District in 2014, Harrisonburg’s cultural diversity serves up fare from around the world, while taking advantage of locallysourced farm-to-table ingredients. Food. Bar.Food features “global comfort food,” while a mother-daughter team creates soulsoothing pastries at Heritage Bakery & Café. The arts scene is equally diverse, epitomized by the Agora Downtown Market, a community of small businesses under one roof in an historic building. Named for James Madison, fourth president and the “Father of the Constitution,” are the stunning Hotel Madison and James Madison University (JMU), where nearly 20,000 students lend a youthful vitality to this historic town. Fun Festival: Harrisonburg International Festival, September VIRGINIA .ORG 13 Within Virginia’s larger cities, find pockets of uniqueness that make you feel like you’re in a small town! ROANOKE’S HISTORIC GRANDIN VILLAGE This walkable urban village is eclectic and family-friendly at the same time. Spend Saturday morning at the Community Market, dine on an outdoor patio, shop independentlyowned boutiques and take in a first-run or classic film at the 1930s Grandin Theatre. RICHMOND’S SCOTT’S ADDITION One of the hottest, newly revitalized neighborhoods in the state capital. Warehouses converted to breweries, cideries and distilleries, bold street murals, a cinema and a retro bowling alley make this a happening night scene. Immerse yourself in Virginia’s Lake Country at Virginia’s only lakeside town. Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Reservoir, draws anglers to dozens of fishing tournaments yearl