Hungry Mother State Park

Hungry Mother State Park is a jewel in the crown of the first six Virginia State Parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC's) between 1933 and 1941.  The six park Virginia State Park system was dedicated in 1936 by Governor George Peery and State Park Director R. E. Burson at Hungry Mother State Park at an event attended by 5,000 people.  The land was donated by local landowners led by John D. and Mildred Lincoln who alone donated 1,881 acres on Hungry Mother Creek.

The CCC's created a 108 acre lake by building a dam on Hungry Mother Creek.  Hungry Mother offers a beach with bathhouse, boats, fishing pier, campgrounds, cabins, gift shop, visitor center, a six-bedroom family lodge that sleeps 15, hiking and biking trails, and restaurant. 

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Hungry Mother Lake

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 child's mother dead. Today that mountain is Molly’s Knob, and the stream is Hungry Mother Creek.

female Mallard and her ducklings

Hungry Mother Lake - South End

Kayaker on Hungry Mother Lake

Lake View from Lake Trail Loop

Canoeing on Hungry Mother Lake

Lake Side Picnic Table

Hungry Mother Beach

Wild Rose along Lake Trail Loop

The Beach Scene

Summer Fun

Hungry Mother Beach from North End

Hemlock Haven is now part of Hungry Mother State Park.  Hemlock Haven previously was a retreat center for Episcopal Diocese of Virginia from 1957 until 1989 when the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation purchased the property.  The facilities are now operated as the Hemlock Haven Conference Center.

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