Fairy Stone State Park - Beach, Lakeshore, Mountain View, and Little Mountain Falls Trails - Stuart, VA
“You must tell yourself no matter how hard it is, or how hard it gets, I’m going to make it!” - Les Brown
“I’ll lean on you and you lean on me and we’ll be ok.” - Dave Matthews
“Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale.” - Hans Christian Andersen
The Story -
On a perfect Saturday morning Ginger, Sophie, and I hiked six miles on a combination of easy to moderate trails at the Fairy Stone State Park near Stuart, Virginia, including the Beach, Lakeshore, Mountain View, and Little Mountain Falls Trails. Just outside of Roanoke, Fairy Stone State Park is home to legendary fairy stones and is well known for its beautiful 168-acre lake and eleven easy-to-moderate multi-use trails that criss-cross the magnificent park.
Fairy Stone State Park and Fairy Stones -
Fairy Stone State Park is the largest of Virginia's original six state parks that opened to visitors in 1936. It gets its unique name from the stone crystals commonly known as fairy stones that are found abundantly within the park’s boundary. As legend has it, fairies inhabited the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One day, the fairies were playing in a sunny glade when an elfin messenger arrived from a faraway city bearing the sad news of Christ’s death. When they heard the terrible details of the crucifixion, they wept. As their tears fell to the earth, they crystallized into little stones. And while the legend is simply that, the fairy stones do exist. They’re naturally occurring in Fairy Stone State Park and can still be found throughout the park. There is even a designated Fairy Stone hunt site surprisingly located behind a gas/service station on the park’s edge. They are considered to be good luck charms and Ginger and I were fortunate enough to find almost a dozen stones. Here’s hoping for lots of good luck heading our way!
Spill The Tea -
Our hour-long drive from Greensboro to Fairy Stone State Park took us through historic Bassett, VA., where numerous historic mill homes and old furniture factories dot the road next to the Smith River. It was like taking a drive back in time. Arriving at the Park, we paid a seven-dollar entry fee, well worth it and perhaps a reason there seemed to be fewer people than we expected for such a gorgeous fall day. We parked at the amphitheater and started our hike on the Beach Trail through a large campground until we reached the Mountain View Trail. After a short distance, we veered onto the Little Mountain Falls Trail before finishing up on the Lakeshore Trail.
Add Some Cream and Sugar -
We spent most of our time on Fairy Stone State Park’s longest trail, the moderate Little Mountain Falls Trail. The trail is named after a weather-dependent twenty-five-foot waterfall that locals jokingly refer to as “Big Mountain Little Falls.” And without much precipitation in the area lately, the lone waterfall was definitely more of a “water trickle.” Yet despite the low volume of water, the waterfall was still really pretty and the sound of the gentle rippling water provided a great location to stop for a relaxing snack break. Along the way, we also encountered two scenic overlooks of the area and multiple items of special interest, including dozens of mushrooms, several stream crossings, brightly colored trees and leaves, a spectacular lake with an amphitheater, and of course many, many fairy stones.
Wrap It Up -
The Fairy Stone State Park is a large and beautifully maintained park that has something for everyone. Hiking, camping, horseback riding, boating, and fishing are all excellent options. Take a lunch and make a day of it. And I almost guarantee that you will find a good luck charm to take home with you!
Sassafras and Skinks