Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

Home > Blog > 3 state parks to see in south central Virginia

3 state parks to see in south central Virginia

By Haley RodgersPosted March 30, 2023

As I explore all the Virginia State Parks, marking off one by one in Trail Quest, I love being able to visit multiple parks in an area. Last summer I did just that, for a great three day camping trip exploring three parks in south central Virginia: Occoneechee, Staunton River and State River Battlefield State Parks.

Photo collage of Staunton River trailhead with tall pines in background, a standup paddleboard at the shores of Buggs Island Lake at Occoneechee State Park, and a view of the Staunton River Battlefield Bridge while standing at the end
Left: Trailhead at Staunton River State Park, Middle: Standup paddleboard at Occoneechee State Park, Right: Staunton River Bridge at Staunton River Battlefield State Park. Photos by Haley Rodgers

Day one: Paddling and camping at Occoneechee State Park

My route started with a short drive (1 hour and 45 minutes) south of Richmond to Occoneechee State Park. First thing on my itinerary was to get on the water, because Occoneechee is on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, better known as Buggs Island Lake. I planned ahead and reserved a standup paddleboard from Clarksville Water Sports that I conveniently checked out near boat ramp 1 (far left ramp on the trail map).

To find the calmest water for paddling, I paddled to the right of the boat ramp to reach a narrow cove of hardwood forests and flowering buttonbush. As a bird watcher, I was excited to be joined on the water by double-crested cormorants and great blue herons. Overhead I saw bald eagles and ospreys.

Campsite set up with green 2-person tent, a picnic table with cups and a cooler on it, a blue camp chair set up and heavily forested woods in the background
Campsite 20 at Occoneechee State Park. Photo by Haley Rodgers

I spent the afternoon setting up my campsite and just enjoying the tranquility of being in the trees. Since I stayed on a weekday, I was one of two campers in the campground. I watched the sunset on the lake, just a short walk from my tent. I saw the moon reflecting on the water and bats fly in the distance. I ended the night peacefully with a campfire dinner and s’mores.

Haley sits across a downed tree on the shore of the lake with the sunset in the background and the moon overhead
Haley watches the sunset on Buggs Island Lake at Occoneechee State Park. Photo by Haley Rodgers

Day two: A history lesson and Staunton River State Park

I naturally woke up in my tent to the sound of woodpeckers and all kinds of birds chirping.

Before leaving Occoneechee, I made sure to spend time in the visitor center to learn about the Occaneechi people of the Saponi Nation, who the park was named after. The educational displays, including dance regalia, artifacts and a replica historic dwelling, are so impressive! I learned that until 1676 they lived on an island near what is now the park. I highly encourage everyone to stop in to learn more.

Occaneechi display at the state park visitor center, featuring a colorful regalia with a feather headdress and in the background a replica of a traditional historic dwelling
The Occaneechi educational display inside the visitor center. Photo by Haley Rodgers

Next, I headed northwest to Staunton River State Park, only 45 minutes away. The drive was breathtaking – through country roads lined with tall pine trees.

a road lined with tall pine trees and a road sign that says "Staunton"
The tree-lined road near the entrance of Staunton River State Park. Photo by Haley Rodgers

Tip: Using the Find a Virginia State Park page, it’s easy to see which parks are near each other.

I spent my afternoon hiking. I saw an albino deer while on the trail, unfortunately I couldn’t get a photo quick enough, but I’ll never forget it! Apparently they are very rare, only one in every 30,000 deer. I was also delighted to see a great egret on the river shoreline.

I also had the fun surprise of seeing all kinds of frogs around my campsite while I was setting up camp.

an orange and brown American toad sits on the leaf littered ground in a tree nook looking at the camera
An American toad that was near the campsite. Photo by Haley Rodgers

That night I went stargazing since Staunton River is an International Dark Sky Park (learn more). The park conveniently has telescopes that are free for guests to check out, which I took advantage of.

With the help of a fellow stargazer Luke Matthews, who happens to be with the Chapel Hill Astronomical Society (CHAOS), I was able to see Jupiter, Jupiter’s Galilean moons, Saturn and its rings, the Andromeda galaxy and star clusters. I even saw four shooting stars with my naked eye!

On that clear night, I went to sleep in my tent with the rainfly off so I could peek at the stars through the trees as I fell asleep, while the frogs I saw earlier sang me their lullabies.

Day three: A sunrise start to Staunton River Battlefield State Park

I woke up early to seize my last day. I hiked to the confluence of the Dan and Staunton Rivers where I watched a beautiful sunrise.

a sunrises over a lake with a tree-lined ridge in the background-a black silhouette against the bright orange sky and reflection on the water
The sun rising over the Staunton River. Photo by Haley Rodgers

A darling warbler joined me, as well as hundreds of mayflies – which startled me at first because they are still until you move near them and then they all fly around, but I was pleased they don’t bite or harm you. And I learned later that they are a sign of good water quality, and attracted to the sunlight, hence joining me at sunrise.

a warbler sits on a branch in the sunrise light, with mayflies all around it on the branches and leaves turning autumn colors in the background
A warbler basks in the sunrise light among many mayflies surrounding it on the branches. Photo by Haley Rodgers

On my way back to Richmond, my last stop was Staunton River Battlefield State Park (just under a half hour from Staunton River State Park). There I met local outdoor enthusiast James Gregory aka The Ethnic Explorer. He frequents this park, enjoying its solitude since it’s less visited. We walked the nature trail together, spotting many mushrooms and wildflowers along the way. We also saw turtles in the wetlands from one of their two observation towers.

a photo collage of mushrooms on the trail, mushrooms growing on a tree, and yellow wildflowers
Nature seen on the trail. Photos by Haley Rodgers

As we walked the battlefield trail over the Staunton River Bridge, we talked about the Civil War and how we’re grateful that things are different now. We were humbled by seeing Confederate earthworks along the trail. The Clover Visitor Center (limited hours, see website) gave us more insight into the battle and history of the native people who were there before.

A view from the start of the Staunton River Bridge, looking down it
Staunton River Bridge where a historic Civil War battle played out. Photo by Haley Rodgers

History lovers must visit and plan around a Mulberry Hill Open House – where you can explore a historic home onsite with a ranger who can tell you stories about the Wilson-Kautz Raid of 1864 and give you a look into the life of the families who lived there. The staff are amazing storytellers!

After my learning so much and packing three days full of adventure, I headed home.