We sat on the porch sipping a strong cup of black coffee together, watching the fisherman slowly trolling around the little lake, sifting through the gentle mist that danced across the warm surface of the water.

So in tuned to the morning bird song and the sunrise before us we didn't pay much attention the small herd of deer tiptoeing over the lawn right outside our cabin as they breakfasted on wild persimmons and grass.

These rockers are a great place to end or start your day

Waking up from inside a cabin at this park provided a special togetherness

That was how each day began from cabin 3 at Fairy Stone State Park.

Cabin 3 is one of the original Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built cabins constructed in the park during 1933 to the spring of 1941, and it is in one of the original six Virginia State Parks that opened on the same day June 15, 1936. Since that time more cabins have been added to Fairy Stone State Park for us to enjoy, but these original log cabins are so rich in character it is hard to not fall in love with them.

Cabin 3 had everything we needed for a comfortable stay at Fairy Stone State Park

An early morning view of the lake is just a few hundred feet away 

Highlighted Features

• There is a wood burning fireplace which we will enjoy next time, maybe in the fall when the mornings are cool and crisp and we can wear our slippers and sip hot cocoa fireside.
• The central HVAC worked well to keep the humidity levels down, and we opened the windows overnight to draw in fresh air and sounds of the katydids filtering in from outside.
• This cabin is elevated and set back a bit so the front porch overlooks the lake (a couple other cabins as well so it is a partial view) and when the leaves drop I am sure the view will really pop.
• There are two bedrooms; the master bedroom has a window toward the lake which really helped me wake up naturally instead of to a blaring alarm clock. The second bedroom has two twin beds vs bunk beds like many cabins have, so it is great for all ages, not just kids.

Quaint little cabin 3 offered us so much

The cabin faces the lake and a view of the water from the side of the porch

Wildlife right outside your window

Why we chose it

It chose us, quite frankly. We would probably enjoy most any cabin at Fairy Stone, but having a view of the lake took this cabin to the top of the list. Having this cabin set back on the hill made sitting outside on the porch all that more enjoyable for us and provides us with a freedom to relax. My favorite place to enjoy my morning coffee was out there in a rocker, watching the fog drift across the lake.

Pros

There was plenty of outside space for the family and the dog. There is also easy access into the cabin with a paved path from the parking area. The picnic table is on the porch is 3/4 covered in case of rain and the charcoal grill just right out front which made it convenient for grilling.

Cons

The parking area is in front of the cabin, whereas some of the nearby CCC built cabins on our hill had the parking directly behind. Parking behind the cabin leaves the view of nature from the porch unobstructed.

There is a lack of storage for pantry items; you will need to be very creative if you plan to stay more than a couple nights. If you bring mostly fresh food then you will be okay, but space is tight to store breads, cereals and packaged foods. We didn't want to leave any of these out in case of mice or nighttime visitors. The cabin booked warned us of a family of chipmunks and a mouse that were uninvited cabin guests at times.

Helpful Hints

If you have friends or family in the campground, you can access it as a short-cut by catching a trail behind the group camp which is a short walk from this cabin loop.

Deer and wildlife are plentiful right outside your cabin, so be sure your pets are supervised and keep your eyes peeled if you enjoy seeing them. There are also ducks, one we nicknamed Daisy who quacks pretty loud in the mornings, we careful not to feed them, to help keep "the wild in wildlife" as the park signs told us.

Be a bit cynical about the cabin loop map on the ReserveVA availability page it may not be completely accurate, click here to view the facilities guide in PDF form. If you call to reserve a cabin, be sure to clarify where the cabin sits and its proximity to other cabins and the lake.

More Photos

 

Location

The park address is 967 Fairystone Lake Drive, Stuart, Virginia although I think Martinsville-Henry County claims it as its own as does Patrick County. It is a real gem. Yes, that was a clever joke about the fairy stones you may find.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., six hours (from Washington, DC); Richmond, four hours; Tidewater/ Norfolk/Virginia Beach, five hours; Roanoke, one hour; and Martinsville just 15 minutes.

Rates

This 2 bedroom log-cabin is $125 Peak Season and $103 per night for off-season stays.  Click here for a PDF of cabins rates and seasons.

Reserve it

To reserve this cabin call 1-800-933-PARK Mon.-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., or click here to check availability or reserve online 24/7.

We have discovered over our years visiting Virginia State Park cabins that each one is unique in setting and style and offers us something that the others do not. While being waterfront may be appealing at Fairy Stone State Park, having this cabin set back made this one a winner in my book. 

Note: Cabin 3 and other Fairy Stone cabins were recently updated.