Fairy Stone State Park

Welcome to the largest of the original six Virginia State Parks, Fairy Stone State Park!

Park History: There is an old Native American Legend about this place known as The Legend of Fairy Stone. It is said that centuries before the reign of Chief Powhatan, that fairies were dancing around a spring of water, playing with wood nymphs and naiaids, when an elfin messenger from a faraway land brought news of the death of Jesus Christ. Upon hearing the story of the crucifixion the forest creatures wept and their tears fell to the Earth to form beautiful crosses. For a long time people held the crosses with the belief that the protected people from witchcraft, disease, accidents, and disaster. The fairy stones are staurolite which is a combination of silica, iron, and aluminum and was formed long ago during the rise of the Appalachian mountains. These rare stones are found in other places but the greatest known abundance is in Fairy Stone State Park.

Much of the land that makes up Fairy Stone State Park was generously donated to the State of Virginia by the former owner of the Roanoke Times Newspaper, Julius Fishburn, in 1933. The Civilian Conservation Corps helped create the park and many of the structures that still exist today. The park boasts campsites (50 with electricity), cabins, a swimming lake, and over 9 miles of multipurpose trails. Come on out and explore. To reserve a campsite or other facility please call 800-933-PARK.

This was RecPlanet place of the day on August 22, 2016.