Travel Day
Our camping adventure to Hungry Mother State Park started right at 12:30 PM when we pulled out of the driveway and aimed the tow vehicle toward Marion, Virginia. For this trip, we chose the route that’s kinder on the North Pole—58 West, 220 North, and then I‑81 South. It adds a little time, but anyone who’s hauled a camper through the mountains knows that sometimes the longer road is the smarter one.
We made just one stop along the way at the Lancer Truck Stop and Deli for gas and a quick lunch—classic pepperoni pizza and a chocolate donut. Two traffic jams slowed us down, but by 4:30 PM we rolled into Hungry Mother State Park, one of the most iconic destinations in the Virginia State Parks system. We were about an hour behind schedule, but the mountains and the lake have a way of making you forget the clock.
Check‑in at the Visitor Center was easy, and then we crossed the road to the campground. The drive into Creekside Campground is tight—narrow road, sharp curves, and exactly why they cap RV length at 30 feet. We eased the North Pole into site 7, got everything set up, and settled in for a full week of camping in one of Virginia’s most beautiful parks.
Dinner was turkey sausages with peppers and onions, plus green beans and carrots—simple, hearty camp food that hits the spot after a travel day. We wrapped up the evening with a campfire and a s’more, the perfect ending to our first night at Hungry Mother State Park.
Sunday, Worship and Celebrate
This morning we woke up early at Hungry Mother State Park, ready for another full day of camping in one of the most beautiful spots in the Virginia State Parks system. Breakfast was simple and satisfying—scrambled eggs, Canadian bacon, and half a blueberry muffin before we hit the road.
We drove about two hours to Boones Mill to attend church with our son and his family, a quiet and meaningful start to the day. After the service, we all headed to Mission BBQ in Roanoke to celebrate Matthew’s 35th birthday and our own 39th wedding anniversary. Good food, good conversation, and time with family—hard to beat that combination.
Once we wrapped up the celebration, we made the drive back to camp, listening to Preacher Mike Sutphin on CD as the miles rolled by. Back at Hungry Mother State Park, we settled in for a peaceful afternoon. A nap, some time relaxing outside, and then the familiar rhythm of building a campfire as evening settled over the mountains.
We ended the night the way every great camping day should end—s’mores by the fire, the perfect finish to another memorable day in one of Virginia’s best camping destinations.
Monday, Kayaking on the Lake
Monday at Hungry Mother State Park turned into one of those perfectly lazy camping days—the kind you secretly hope for when you plan a week in the Virginia State Parks system. We didn’t bother setting an alarm and slept in, letting the quiet mountain morning do its thing.
When we finally got moving, I made breakfast wraps loaded with butcher‑cut bacon from Richards Meats, sliced ham, tomato, and a fried egg. Simple camp food, but it hit the spot. After cleaning up, we headed straight for the lake. We rented a tandem kayak and spent two peaceful hours paddling across the water, taking in the scenery that makes camping in Virginia so special.
And here’s a friendly reminder for anyone planning a trip—put sunscreen on your legs before climbing into a sit‑on‑top kayak. Otherwise, you’ll come back with more than just memories.
On the way back, we stopped at the Visitor Center to check out the displays and learn a little more about the history of Hungry Mother State Park. Once we got back to camp, we napped, relaxed, and eased into the evening. Supper was camp spaghetti—simple, hearty, and exactly what a slow day calls for.
Another easy, peaceful day of camping in one of Virginia’s most beautiful parks.
Camp Spaghetti
- 1/2 pound of ground turkey
- 1 bag of Miracle Spaghetti Noodles
- 1 cup of homemade marina sauce
- Cook ground turkey in frying pan
- Add noodles
- Add marinara
- Simmer on low for 5 minutes
Tuesday, Claytor Lake State Park
We wanted to get an early start at Claytor Lake State Park, mostly to beat the heat, so we decided to grab breakfast out instead of cooking at camp. By 7:30 AM we were sitting inside Hungry Mother Grill and Grocery, and let me tell you—those western omelets with toast and coffee were outstanding. Honestly one of the best breakfasts we’ve had eating out in a long time. If you’re camping at Hungry Mother State Park, it’s worth stopping in.
After breakfast, we drove to Claytor Lake State Park. We made a quick stop at the Visitor Center, then hit the trail. We started on the Hidden Valley Trail, winding through the woods, past the boat docks, and up to our first overlook. From there, we connected to the Claytor Lake Trail, and when we reached the second overlook, we sat for a while just soaking in the view—quiet water, warm breeze, and that peaceful feeling you only get while hiking in Virginia.
We finished our hike on the Poplar Leaf Trail and looped back to the Visitor Center parking lot. Lunch was simple—sandwiches on a bench under a huge shade tree, the kind of moment that makes a day feel slow in the best way.
On the way back to Hungry Mother State Park, we stopped for ice cream at Crossroads Creamery in Rural Retreat. I had a waffle cone with two scoops, and Amy went for a half banana split. Right next door was The Dutch Pantry, a fantastic little store full of unique groceries—different types of ground flour, nuts, chocolates, crackers, grape juice, natural foods, deli sandwiches, fresh fruit, and plenty more. A great stop if you enjoy finding local specialty foods.
Wednesday, New River Trail State Park
Today was one of those easy camping mornings at Hungry Mother State Park, the kind that makes you appreciate slow starts in the Virginia State Parks. We didn’t have anywhere we needed to be early, so we slept in and took our time easing into the day. When we finally got moving, I got busy cooking what we call the Big Breakfast Camp Sandwich—a fried egg, a slice of top sirloin steak, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and cheese stacked together. It’s the kind of hearty camping breakfast that keeps you going for hours.
We arrived at New River Trail State Park, Foster Falls entrance, and headed straight in to rent our bikes. They set us up with two Mokwheel Asphalt ST bikes for a half‑day ride. The gentleman working there walked us through how everything operated and even let us test them out in the parking lot before hitting the trail.
Once we got rolling, we were thrilled to see that most of the trail was shaded—exactly what you want on a summer ride. On one side, the trail dropped steeply down toward the New River; on the other side, a tall wall of rock and thick green foliage rose up beside us. The pedal‑assist feature on the bikes was a game changer. We still pedaled, but without straining our legs, which made the miles feel smooth and enjoyable.
Another great day exploring the Virginia State Parks system and soaking in everything these trails have to offer. For supper we decided on Tilapia, green beans and macaroni salad. We finished the day off with a smore over the fire.
Thursday, Grayson Highlands State Park
We wanted to beat the heat today, so we were up early at Hungry Mother State Park, ready for another full day of exploring the Virginia State Parks system. After a simple breakfast bowl, we packed up and headed toward Grayson Highlands State Park, one of the most iconic high‑elevation hiking destinations in Virginia.
We arrived around 10:30 AM and went straight into the Visitor Center. After talking through the trail options and making a small purchase, we chose the Twin Pinnacles Trail, one of the most popular hikes in Grayson Highlands.
Our first stop was Little Pinnacle, sitting at 5,089 feet. The name is misleading—Little Pinnacle is actually the highest point in the entire park, even though its rock formation is smaller. The views were incredible, stretching across the mountains in every direction.
Next, we hiked over to Big Pinnacle, which stands at 5,068 feet. The rock formation here is much larger, and getting to the overlook required climbing over and up several rocks. I highly recommend taking hiking poles and a partner for this trail. Much of the hike is under a thick canopy, and in places it feels like you’re walking through a green tunnel.
We ate lunch under a huge shade tree in the parking lot—our chicken salad sandwiches were delicious and exactly what we needed before the next adventure.
After lunch, we headed up the Rhododendron Trail hoping to see the famous wild ponies. After about an hour and a half of hiking uphill in the hot sun with no ponies in sight, we decided to turn back. But as soon as we crossed the gate from Mount Rogers Recreation Area back into Grayson Highlands State Park, we ran right into the herd. Several ponies were grazing, completely unfazed by us.
Back at camp, we wrapped up the evening with a camp pan pizza and went to bed tired, full, and completely satisfied after such an adventurous day in the Virginia mountains.
Friday, Hungry Mother State Park
After a quick breakfast at Hungry Mother State Park, we headed out for one last adventure before wrapping up our camping trip in the Virginia State Parks system. Our morning destination was the Clyburn Hollow Trail, a peaceful hike that starts by running the hollow just above the creek. The cool air and steady sound of water made for a perfect start to the day.
We eventually reached a crossing and transferred onto the Clyburn Ridge Trail, taking switchbacks up to the ridge. At the overlook, we sat for a while enjoying the view across the lake—one of those quiet, scenic moments that makes camping in Virginia feel so special.
After the hike, we drove over to Hungry Mother Grill and Grocery for lunch. We both ordered the bacon cheeseburger—she chose wedges, I went with onion rings—and it was exactly the kind of hearty meal you want after a morning on the trail.
Once lunch was done, we drove into downtown Marion to browse the local shops. It was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon, just wandering and enjoying the small‑town charm.
Here is a list of the shops we browsed through.
- Army Navy Store (Carharrt)
- Blue Ridge Comics & Toys
- The Lincoln Theatre
- Helping Hands Community Thrift
- Marion Outdoors (Outfitters)
- Blazin Scoops Creamery and Sandwiches
- Windy Valley Forge and Armory LLC
- Curt's Ace Hardware
Back at camp for our final night, we made steak bowls for supper and roasted s’mores one more time. A simple, perfect ending to our stay at Hungry Mother State Park, full of good food, good trails, and the kind of peaceful evenings that make camping worth every mile.
Saturday, Travel Day to Home
We were up early this morning at Hungry Mother State Park, ready to pack up the North Pole and start the trip home. After eating breakfast inside, we finished getting everything secured and made our way to the dump station near the Visitor Center. Before pulling out, we took one last picture—our final memory from a week of camping in one of the most beautiful parks in the Virginia State Parks system.
The drive home was smooth and uneventful, giving us time to reflect on just how much we enjoyed this trip. Hungry Mother State Park has officially earned a spot as one of our favorite parks. The trails, the lake, the peaceful campground, and all the adventures we packed into the week made it a place we’ll definitely return to.
Another great camping trip in Virginia, and another park added to our list of places we love.