Fairy Stone State Park

Fairy Stone State Park is a nature reserve in Franklin County featuring a 168-acre lake connected to Philpott Reservoir with opportunities for swimming, boating, and fishing. The grounds offer hiking trails through wooded areas, camping facilities, and cabin accommodations for overnight stays.

Junius B. Fishburn, former president of Southwest Virginia Trust Co. and owner of Roanoke Times, donated the land in 1933 to establish this reserve. Development of facilities followed during the Great Depression through the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The park contains buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1933 and 1941, showing the construction styles and design approaches of that era.

Visitors can search for staurolite crystals at designated areas and take advantage of boat rentals, camping spots, and cabin accommodations throughout the grounds. Guided nature walks are available to explore the local landscape and learn about the area's wildlife.

The grounds contain rare staurolite crystals that naturally form in cross-shaped patterns and are called fairy stones. These mineral formations occur in only a few locations worldwide, making this place special for those interested in geology and crystal collecting.