Hungry Mother State Park, State park and historic district in Marion, Virginia
Hungry Mother State Park is a protected area near Marion in Virginia with a lake and forested hills. The park covers wooded terrain and offers trails, campsites, and space for boating and swimming.
Workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps built dams, bridges, and paths between 1933 and 1941, making this one of Virginia's first state recreation areas. Structures from that period still shape the grounds and show the building style of those years.
The park's name originates from a local legend about Molly Marley, who perished near the mountain after escaping Native American raiders with her child.
Trails range from short walks along the shore to longer routes through the hills, suitable for different fitness levels. Visitors who want to use the water can rent boats or swim at a staffed beach during summer.
The lake and moist forests shelter twelve salamander species that hide under stones, fallen wood, and leaf litter. Visitors walking early in the morning or after rain sometimes spot these small amphibians on paths and near the shore.
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