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.

All About Fairy Stones

Fairy Stone State Park acquires its unique name from the stone crystals known as Fairy Stones that can be found in the park.

In case you are unfamiliar with Fairy Stones, there is a legend, and these unique "stones" are rare and only found in a few places across the globe. They are plentiful in Patrick County, and if you have time and patience to do a proper hunt, you will find some. They are considered good luck pieces, and it is rumored that presidents Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson and other historical figures carried them for this purpose. Local artisans clean them up and file them to make jewelry pieces.

The Legend of the Fairy Stone

It is said that long, long ago, fairies inhabited a specific quiet and remote region in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The fairies roamed freely, enjoying the beauty and serenity of that enchanted place..

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 stone crosses. Though the fairies have long since disappeared, the little stone crosses, known as "fairy stones," remain as mementos in that enchanted spot.

Natural Wonders

Formed and found within the park's boundary, these stone crosses are composed of iron, aluminum and silicate. The name of this mineral compound is staurolite, and like many other minerals, the staurolite formed in regular crystals. Single crystals are hexagonal or six-sided, and singles often intersect at right angles to form the Roman or Maltese shape. In other instances, the singles intersect at forty-five-degree angles to form St. Andrews crosses.

The formation of the staurolite crystals involved an exact combination of heat and pressure provided by the folding and crumpling of the earth's crust during the formation of the Appalachian Mountains. During the crystals' formation, mineral deposits surrounding the crystals were also subjected to the same conditions and formed what is known as schist. The staurolite crystals are usually harder than the surrounding schist and less easily weathered. As the staurolite-bearing schist is weathered away, the more resistant crystals are uncovered and are found exposed at the earth's surface. Occasionally staurolite can be found still embedded in its schist matrix.

Fairy Stones come in three varieties.

The Roman Cross, the St. Andrew's cross, and the Maltese cross. The rarest and most coveted fairy stone is the Maltese shape. You will also find quite a few single "brick" shaped fairy stones that do not intersect.

types of fairy stones

Where to find Fairy Stones

Fairy stones can be found on Fairy Stone State Park property by taking Fairystone Lake Drive (route 346) to route 57 east. Travel approximately three miles to the first service station on the left, The Fairy Stone Pitstop. The land to the left of the station is park property, and you can hunt fairy stones in that area. A small number may be hunted and taken for personal use; however, commercial digging is not permitted.
Google map directions.

How do you find them?

fairy stones in the dirt

There are a few ways to find them, but to save your back and your eyes, we recommend just locating a spot and plopping right down on the ground, and start sifting the red dirt in your hands. A veteran fairy stone hunter believes the best Fairy Stones can be found around the roots of trees and tree stumps.

Can't get to the park to hunt?

If your fairy stone hunt isn’t as successful, or you live too far away to come and hunt for them, the park office has both natural and filed fairy stones available for purchase. Call them during business hours at 276-930-2424 to arrange a purchase. Please check the Know Before You Go section for scheduled office hours.

Images and Pricing

Here is what is for sale at Fairy Stone State Park:

Shapes- Maltese or Roman
Colors- raw, light, dark
Sizes- from approximately 1/8" up to 1" (most commonly 1/2")
Styles- raw, plain, charm, necklace, keychain, earrings

The darker stones are dyed with a linseed based oil. The lighter color ones are actual colors. All stones will vary based on availability from the local family business.

Raw - $3.99

raw fairy stones