State Parks and National Parks

Fairy Stone State Park

Tales of wood nymphs weeping crystalline tears haunt Fairy Stone State Park, one of Virginia's oldest and best-loved nature preserves.

The famed fairy stones are actually brown staurolite, an amalgam of silica, iron and aluminum, which crystallizes into a cross-like structure. The park is one of the few places in the world in which the staurolite stones are found.

Fairy Stone has more than 14 miles of wooded trails, popular with hikers. The Lake Shore Trail leads to a spillway, where 168-acre Fairy Stone Lake empties into Philpott Reservoir.

The lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, crappie, perch, catfish and carp. Non-motorized boats are permitted and rowboat, canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals are available weekends during spring and fall and daily during the summer.

Several historic log cabins, part of the original facilities built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s, are available for rental year-round. There are 51 full-service campsites available March through November.

The park's visitor center features exhibits and interpretive programs.

Photo credits in order: Courtesy of Virginia