Shared by Nate Clark - Park Manager, as Guest Blogger.

Posted March 01, 2016 | Updated June 06, 2019

It’s no secret that Virginia State Parks are incredible places to enjoy time with friends and family, explore the outdoors and learn how to be stewards of our natural resources. We’ve always said that there’s a Virginia State Park within an hour for all Virginia residents and our statewide attendance is always around the eight million mark. 

What we haven’t really tried to track in the past is how many out of state residents take advantage of any one our parks specifically.

Hungry Mother State Park means lots of summer fun

Nationwide Attraction

Hungry Mother State Park is a national attraction and let me tell you why. My two sons, now ages 10 and 8 have always enjoyed playing the license plate game while we’re traveling to see how many different states’ license plates we can spot going up the highway. So, one beautiful warm weekend in early April, I was working and it occurred to me that I saw a lot of license plates in the park that weekend, a dozen or more different states. Thinking of my kids’ game, I decided that I’d keep track of different plates that I saw in the park in 2015 (yeah, there’s an app for that). 

The simple rules were that the vehicles and license plates had to be in the park, not just driving through or next to the park. They had to actually be using and enjoying the park for it to count. 

The park has become a popular vacation destination for visitors from all over

Why Hungry Mother State Park?

Hungry Mother State Park is nestled in Southwest Virginia, a short drive from Tennessee and Kentucky. We have three fantastic campgrounds and 32 rental cabins so our overnight facilities typically draw a good mix of visitors from other states. The park is situated on Route 16 which is known as the "Back of the Dragon" a very popular motorcycle two lane touring route that goes from Marion to Tazewell and over three mountains ranges.

We’re also fortunate to be located just outside of the Town of Marion, which has several unique attractions and businesses, and we’re only about four miles off of Interstate 81 so very accessible. Not to mention that the Southwest Virginia region is full of outdoor recreational opportunities (many of them right here at Hungry Mother State Park). 

So, all these factors, the breathtaking beauty of the park itself with its tranquil 108 acre lake and all the recreation and educational programs that we offer, help us to be a destination in attracting out of state visitors.      

The Back of the Dragon/Route 16 that winds its way past Hungry Mother State Park

Final Tally

At the end of the year my final tally was 47 different states’ license plates. That’s all except four (including the District of Columbia). The only ones I missed were Connecticut, Nebraska, Nevada and Rhode Island. So yes, even Alaska and Hawaii were spotted at Hungry Mother State Park. Honestly, I was amazed. I thought I’d count maybe 30 or so but was blown away by the total number. 

Stay a few nights

Enjoy the mountains, stay a few nights in a cabin, yurt or campground at the park

Hungry Mother State Park is truly a nationwide attraction, but don't just take the 47 different states' plates word for it, come out and see for yourself! See a listing of all park events here.

To book a cabin or lodge, click here, or to reserve a yurt or campsite here, or by calling 800-933-7275. 

You may also enjoy: 5 Reasons You'll Love Hungry Mother State Park.

Posted March 01, 2016 | Updated June 06, 2019