Occoneechee State Park

Occoneechee State Park, a 2,700-acre gem on the shores of Virginia’s largest lake, Buggs Island Lake, also called Kerr Reservoir, lies in the rolling Piedmont countryside near Clarksville. Named for the Occoneechee Native Americans who once hunted and fished these waters, the State Park blends quiet coves, pine-oak forests, and 18 miles of trails that wind past wild azaleas and mountain laurel. Visitors launch kayaks from sandy beaches, cast for largemouth bass and crappie, or hike through the woods and along the lakeshore. Three campgrounds offer everything from primitive sites to yurts, while the park’s equestrian trails draw riders year-round. At dusk, the Terraced Gardens glow with fireflies, and the visitor center’s exhibit tells the story of the tribes who called this bend of the Roanoke River home long before the lake’s 1952 creation.

Contact Information:

1192 Occoneechee Park Rd.

Clarksville, VA 23927

Phone: (434) 374-2210

Map:

Trails:

Beaver Pond Trail

Length: 5.3 miles

Blaze: Green

Users: Hiking, biking and equestrian

Beaver Pond Trail starts from a trailhead near the equestrian campground at the end of Panhandle Road and makes a partial loop along the lake.

Big Oak Nature Trail

Length: 0.5 miles

Blaze: Yellow

Users: Hiking only

Big Oak Nature Trail leads from the Ironbow Camp entrance to the main park road near the spray park.

Mossey Creek Nature Trail

Length: 0.7 miles

Blaze: Blue

Users: Hiking only

Mossey Creek Nature Trail leads from the main park road to Old Plantation Trail at the Terrace Gardens.

Old Plantation Interpretive Trail

Length: 0.7 miles

Blaze: Red

Users: Hiking only

Old Plantation Interpretive Trail makes a loop around the Terrace Gardens.

Panhandle Multi-Use Trail

Length: 7.2 miles

Blaze: White

Users: Hiking, biking and equestrian

Panhandle multi-use trail leads across the park to the end of the peninsula, following an old road most of the way.

Tupelo Birding Trail

Length: 0.8 miles

Blaze: Red

Users: Hiking only

Tupelo Birding Trail starts along the main park road near the spray park and ends back at the road near the park entrance.

Warriors Path Nature Trail

Length: 0.4 miles

Blaze: Orange

Users: Hiking only

Warriors Path Nature Trail is a short trail from the boat ramp parking to Mossey Creek Nature Trail.

Points of Interest:

Terrace Garden

Terrace Garden is from the remnants of the Occoneechee Plantation.

Wildlife:

Turkey vultures (Cathartes aura) are carrion eaters that have a distinctive naked red head.

Blog Entries:

02-Nov-2015: Occoneechee Panhandle Hike

01-Nov-2015: Munford Trail Hike

External Links:

VA State Parks website: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/occoneechee