Our everyday world is so hectic as we rush around day after day and then we wonder why we feel so stressed.

Maybe we need to slow down and take some time to breathe fresh air. Maybe we can to take time to just relax. Thankfully, we still have places that allow us to get away from it all, like Hungry Mother State Park that has been meeting that specific need for nearly 80 years and it is our park of the Month for August!

Hungry Mother State Park is the perfect family getaway for the day or longer

In my house, we have a wide variety of interest and abilities. A few are adventure seekers and few are more interested in relaxing. The key to a great place is having something for people of all interests, and Hungry Mother State Park is such a place. Truly, there is something for almost everyone.

Relaxer

If you are a person who isn’t interested or simply can’t do strenuous activity, there are many ways to soak up the great outdoors when you visit Hungry Mother State Park. The 108 acre Hungry Mother Lake provides equal opportunity to all water lovers. The swim beach is easy to access. If you want to wade in the water, you can; if you want to swim, you can.

There are also paddle boats for rent and although the paddle boats require some leg effort, they offer a view of the lake that cannot be found from the shore.

A portion of the 17 miles of trail in the park is paved for those who need a smoother surface for a walk or bike ride.

All three of the park’s picnic shelters, some of the most popular fishing spots, universally accessible fishing pier and the iconic Hungry Mother Bridge is all accessible from this part of the trail.

Enjoy a paddle boat ride with your family and explore the lake

Trails come in many different styles

The universal fishing pier offers fishing access to everyone

Novice

If you have decided that it might be time for you to spread your wings and try something new, there is plenty at this park.

Gliding through the water while paddling a kayak or canoe can be exhilarating and a great way to explore small coves of the lake

Canoes and kayaks can be so quiet it makes wildlife viewing much more likely, not to mention better fishing.

The park’s Lake Trail is a nearly six mile loop around the lake and although, this is the trail with the paved section running through the main part of the park, the back side of the trail offers more challenging terrain. The CCC Trail and Ridge Trail are both spur trails off the Lake Trail and are considered moderate difficulty. These are open to both hikers and bikers.

Exploring the lake from a kayak gives a different perspective

The Lake Trail offers a variety of terrains for walkers and hikers alike

Adventurer

Just added in 2014, the park offers standup paddle boards (SUP). They are shaped somewhat like a surf board and propelled through the water with paddles, while you are standing on it. With minimal gear and effort these boards are a great way to play on the water and have been a hit with our park visitors.

Hungry Mother has several trails that are designed to challenge the most athletic adventurous in your group, but they are also designed to make the challenge worth the effort. The park’s newest trail is the Clyburn Hollow Trail Loop. The Clyburn Ridge Trail is rated as difficult. The vista from this trail is fast becoming a must see at the park. The Lake Trail has several spur trails that branch off to more difficult loops as well. While the most well-known of all the trails in the park is the Molly’s Knob Trail. This trail is nearly two miles long and leads you to the highest point in the park. From beginning to end, there is about 1,000 foot elevation change, but once at the summit, the view makes you forget about the burning in your calf muscles.

Stand up paddle boards are the newest addition to the Hungry Mother opportunities

Clyburn Trail offers some of the most breathtaking views in the park

Whether you come to visit for the day or stay overnight in one of Hungry Mother State Park's three campgrounds or 32 cabins, there is something to keep the whole family entertained in the great outdoors. Plus I won't forget to mention the full service lakefront restaurant which is enjoyable for the relaxer, novice and the adventurer in the group.

We invite you out to Hungry Mother State Park, our featured Park of the Month for August that has something fun in store no matter what your adventure level.