Plan A Trip To Occoneechee State Park, A Lesser-Known Virginia Park That's Filled With Natural Treasures
By Beth|Published October 25, 2020
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Beth
Author
A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.
Virginia’s state park system is one of the most wonderful things about our beautiful state. Preserving thousands of acres of beautiful landscape and teaching us about how to best protect it, these parks truly offer something for everyone. Today, we’d like to highlight a lesser-known park positively filled with beauty. Occoneechee State Park, located along the Virginia and North Carolina border is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Situated on the largest lake in Virginia, the park is tailor-made for an outdoor adventure.
Situated on the John H. Kerr Reservoir, better known as Buggs Island Lake, Occoneechee State Park is named for the Native Americans who had lived here since approximately 1250.
It was 1676 when Virginia Councilman Nathaniel Bacon led a group of men to kill the Indigenous population who lived on the land. This horrendous event, while not uncommon in the history of settlement, was shocking to many Virginians and Governor Berkeley.
Approximately 200 years after the Native Americans were killed, William Townes built a 20-room mansion on over 3,000 acres of land. In 1898 the mansion burned down, but remnants of the garden can still be seen today.
The moment you arrive at the park, you'll feel awe-inspired by the magnitude of Kerr Reservoir, which is the biggest of its kind in the state of Virginia at 77 square miles.
It's no surprise that the park is especially popular among boaters and anglers who love spending time and taking advantage of all that the water has to offer.
Of course, the water is just part of what makes Occoneechee State Park such a treasure trove of natural wonders. There are 20 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy.
Have you ever visited Occoneechee State Park? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience there! What was your favorite part about visiting this park? For more information, be sure to consult the official Virginia State Park website.
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