Hungry Mother State Park
RV Guide

Hungry Mother State Park is one of the first six state parks in Virginia, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. One of the hiking trails available at the park is the CCC Trail, which is a 1.9-mile moderate trail that starts at the lake, runs to the Vista Trail, and then loops back. Since it’s rated moderate, hikers need some special equipment (like hiking boots) and some experience. The CCC Trail is rocky and steep at times, and there are also several creek crossings, but it's a stunning trail to hike!

Boats with electrical motors or smaller sailing boats are welcome to explore the vast Hungry Mother Lake. You will most probably need a boat launch to get your boat into the water, and you'll find one a little distance away from Camp Burson.

You are also welcome to bring along your kayaks and canoes, but if you don't have one you can rent a boat from the concession stand along the swimming beach during the summer and on weekends through October. They have a variety of boats available to rent including Jon boats, kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, and paddleboats. Gas-powered boats are not allowed on Hungry Mother Lake.

You can enjoy exploring another moderate trail that runs, wait for it, around the lake. This 5.5-mile trail is quite wide, and it features many elevation changes and sharp turns. So, hikers get a different view of the lake about once every hundred yards. The trees are particularly dense here, and that shade attracts lots of wildlife. This is the longest trail in the park, so make sure to work up some stamina on the other shorter trails before heading out to do this one.

Hungry Mother Lake is well-stocked with carp and some other species, but fishing here is still a challenge as the water is a bit cloudy much of the year. Furthermore, the lake has such a robust ecosystem that fish are well-fed and less likely to jump at the bait. Finally, state rules have changed, so there are new limits on the type and number of fish you can catch. Nevertheless, patient and experienced anglers can still expect to haul in smallmouth, hybrid striped, largemouth, and spotted bass, plus many other species. A shoreline fishing pier is roughly parallel to the swim platform, and boat fishing is allowed as well. You will need to be in possession of a valid Virginian fishing license to enjoy fishing at the park.

Swimming is permitted all year round in designated areas. The swim platform is located a little way out into the lake near the ranger station. Lifeguards are generally on duty between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend. They may be off-duty for weather or other similar reasons. A snack bar is open during the summers as well. After your swim, you can enjoy a picnic in the sun with one of the several picnic benches along the beach area.

Walker Mountain (Big Walker Mountain) has a roughly 800-acre hunting area. You will need a valid hunting license to hunt here, so remember to bring one along. The hunting area is a bit difficult to reach, and the trail is steep and rocky with leaves hiding many crevices along the trail. But the landscape is very nice and the deer and small game are quite abundant here, making it well worth the trek to get there. There’s also a private lookout tower, which visitors can climb for a fee, that’s roughly ten stories tall and offers a nice view. Make sure to check with park rangers about deer stands, sometimes they’re allowed, and sometimes they’re not.

The trail is less than a half-mile long, but it’s a rather difficult climb. It goes up to the summit of Molly’s Knob, which is the highest point in the park with an elevation of over 3,200 feet. If you want a somewhat different challenge, you can take Molly’s Knob Trail to roughly this same point. Hiking this trail may be hard, but you will be rewarded with the breathtaking views it has to offer. Make sure to bring along your camera to snap a few photos to share with friends and family.

This place is great for family reunions and corporate meetings. It’s even better for indoor-outdoor weddings. There are six meeting areas available, from 3,300 square feet all the way down to 700 square feet. Other features include stable Wi-Fi, a board room, and available audiovisual equipment. The Hungry Mother State Park Restaurant can handle event catering very well if you need catering for your event. Outside, you'll find an athletic complex (of sorts) which includes a softball field, volleyball court, tennis court, basketball court, and horseshoe pits.

Molly's Knob Trail is a two-mile, challenging trail that runs from the lodge parking area to Vista Trail. The trail is dotted with wildflowers that bloom in spring and are quite pretty, especially the pink Catawbas and white Rosebays. The hike starts off fairly easy, so you can save your strength for the steeper and narrower portions that follow. Make sure to wear proper hiking boots and bring snacks and water to refuel yourself along the trail.

Why is it every time we discuss these trails we think about Loretta Lynn growing up as a coal miner’s daughter in that cabin in Butcher Holler? Anyway, the Clyburn Hollow Trail is the easiest one in the park. It’s basically an unpaved sidewalk and runs for about a half-mile through the forests and extremely low hills. The Clyburn Ridge Loop Trail, it should surprise no one, runs along a ridge instead of a hollow. So, it’s a bit longer at four miles and also a bit more challenging. But it also goes a little higher, where there is more wildlife and the views are better. Both these hikes are worth walking, so try and do both during your visit to the park.