Buggs Island Lake's water level has dropped dramatically because of ongoing drought. Navigation on waterways from the park to the lake is difficult. The park boat ramp is open, but only boaters throroughly familiar with waters around the park should attempt to launch and navigate the rivers. If your visit depends on the ability to launch a boat, call the park for details. Click here to check the lake's current water levels.
GENERAL INFO: Staunton River State Park is one of the six original state parks that opened in June 1936. It is located on 1,597 acres along the shoreline of the John H. Kerr Reservoir (also known as Buggs Island Lake), as well as the Dan and Staunton rivers. The largest lake in Virginia is only one of the park’s many attractions, which include a swimming pool, camping, cabins, picnic shelters and nature trails.
LOCATION: Staunton River State Park is 18 miles east of South Boston. Take U.S. 360 to Route 344. Follow Route 344 for 10 miles to the park, located southeast of Scottsburg, Va.
Drive Time
Northern Virginia, three and a half hours; Richmond, two hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours; Roanoke, two hours
Directions
From the north: Take U.S. 501 south to Halifax, Va. At intersection of U.S. 501 and state Route 360, turn left; go about eight miles. At intersection of state Route 360 and U.S. 360, go straight through the stoplight to Route 344. Travel 10 miles to the park entrance, which is southeast of Scottsburg, Va.
From the south: Take U.S. 501 north to South Boston, Va. At intersection of U.S. 501 and U.S. 58, turn right onto U.S. 58 east; go approximately one mile and turn left at stoplight onto U.S. 360; travel east on U.S. 360 approximately eight miles and turn right onto Route 344; go 10 miles to park entrance.
From the west: Take U.S. 58 east to the intersection of U.S. 58 and U.S. 360; turn left at stoplight onto U.S. 360; go east approximately eight miles and turn right onto Route 344; travel 10 miles to park entrance.
From the east: Take U.S. 360 west to Scottsburg, Va; at intersection of U.S. 360 with state Route 360 and Route 344, turn left at stoplight onto Route 344; travel 10 miles to park entrance.
Click here for a Google map.
PARK MAP: Click here (PDF).
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Cabins and camping. For information on availability of overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.
Cabins: A week-long stay is required between Memorial Day and Labor Day unless a cabin happens not to be rented a month beforehand. The week's rental period begins on Sundays for all cabins.
Although the cabins offer a limited view of the water in fall, they are not priced as such.
Cabins have:
Late arrivals for cabin keys: Guests arriving after 4 p.m. should call the park beforehand to arrange for key pickup.
Total sites of each type: One-room frame efficiency, 1; One-bedroom frame, 2; Two-bedroom frame, 4
Site type:
One-room frame efficiency - one double bed, one twin sofa bed
One-bedroom frame - one double bed, one full sofa bed
Two-bedroom frame - two double beds, one full sofa bed
Total cabins: 7
Total sites of each type: EW 45-ft, 4; EW 30-ft, 10; EW pop/tent, 20; Tent Std., 14
Site type:
EW 30-ft - Electric and water hookups, various equipment up to 30 feet, bathhouse available.
EW Pop/Tent - Electric and water hookups, popup and tent campers up to 20 feet, bathhouse available.
EW 45-ft - Electric and water hookups, pull-through up to 45 feet, RVs only, bathhouse available.
Tent Std - Tents only, no hookups, bathhouse available.
Total campsites: 48
SWIMMING: The park provides both a wading pool and larger pool for swimming during the summer. The pool complex includes a bathhouse and concessions area. In the summer, swimming is free for overnight guests in campsites, cabins and the lodge, however it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
Swimming fees: Available Memorial Day to Labor Day only. Click here for park fees.
TRAILS: Hiking and self-guided trails; horses allowed on multi-use trail. Six wooded trails provide miles of hiking along the Dan and Staunton rivers as well as Buggs Island Lake. Some of the landscapes are little changed from the times when generals from the Revolutionary and Civil wars camped with their troops. Multi-use trail open for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Bring your own horse.
Note: To prevent damage to the park's trails, trails are often closed during wet conditions. Please call the park at (434) 572-4623 prior to your visit to ensure that the trails are available for use.
FISHING, BOATING: Buggs Island Lake and the connecting Lake Gaston are famous for the number and size of fish found there. Bass, bluegill, crappie and perch are plentiful. A valid Virginia fishing license is required. Annual boat launch passports are available by calling 1-800-933-PARK.
No boat rentals at this park. Guests must bring their own boats. Boat launching ramp is available. These facilities may not be accessible if the water level is too high or low. If your visit depends on the ability to launch your boat, please call the park in advance. Both motorized and non-motorized boats are permitted on Buggs Island Lake. River Traders, located outside park entrance, rents canoes, kayaks and jon-boats. Click here for park fees.
HORSES: Horseback riders allowed on multi-use trail.
PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: None.
NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Guided hikes, evening amphitheater programs, canoe trips, guest speakers/entertainers. Call the park for details. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: None.
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: South Boston Museum, South Boston Speedway. Check www.gohalifaxva.com for current local offerings.
PICNIC SHELTERS: Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to dark. Call 1-800-933-PARK to reserve. Parking and swimming fees are not included in shelter rental. Click here for park fees.
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee. The policy applies as well to the park's two "min-shelters" decribed below.
Amenities: Both shelters have grills, picnic tables and access to nearby restrooms.
Shelter 1: Near the Dan River, this shelter provides a shady setting for reunions, picnics and other special events. It accommodates up to 60 comfortably. There is a spigot that allows access to potable water and a large grill at the back of the shelter. There's no deck but there is a graveled area by the grill. This shelter offers no view of the river; access to the river is limited. A walk of about two minutes brings you to the river. The shelter is near a swing set and trash disposal, and bathrooms are about five minutes away. This shelter offers access to the pool area via the Tutelo Trail, a 5-10 minute walk. First-come, first-served picnic tables that can be used to accommodate more people are around shelter. (Note: several distances mentioned above might prove difficult for the handicapped.)
Shelter 2: Beside the Dan River, this shelter provides a shady setting for reunions, picnics and other special events. It accommodates up to 60 comfortably. There is a spigot that allows access to potable water and a large grill at the back of the shelter. First-come, first-served picnic tables that can be used to accommodate more people are around shelter. This shelter has a spacious deck near the grill and offers a waterfront view and easy access to the water. There is a boat launch that can be used when the water level is high, but users must pay a launching fee. Also, the shelter features a a swing set and trash disposal, and handicapped accessible bathrooms are only a short distance away. The shelter is not, however, equipped with a ramp for easy access by the handicapped. Spacious grounds for softball, badminton, soccer, etc., are nearby. Guests must provide their own equipment.
Turkey Trail mini-shelter 1: This small picnic shelter, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 12 through Sept. 30, allows up to 15 people. It can be rented all day for a small fee. The 18 by 20 foot structure is covered, with all sides open, and has a 12-foot table, a 6-foot table and one small charcoal grill. It’s near a water spigot, restrooms and a trash bin. The shelter is not handicapped accessible.
Deer View mini-shelter 2: This small picnic shelter, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 12 through Sept. 30 annually, allows up to 15 people. It can be rented all day for small fee. The 18 by 20 foot structure is covered, with all sides open, and has a 12-foot table, a 6-foot table and one small charcoal grill. It’s near a water spigot, restrooms and a trash bin. The shelter is not handicapped accessible.
CONCESSIONS: Memorial Day to Labor Day only - snack bar, tennis courts, volleyball courts. Concessions do not operate before Memorial Day and after Labor Day.
LAUNDRY: The closest laundromat is 15 miles from park.
HISTORY: Staunton River State Park takes its name from the river that borders the park. The river was named for Captain Henry Staunton who, before the Revolutionary War, commanded a company of soldiers to protect early settlers from Indian attacks. The soldiers patrolled from the mountains to the mouth of the Dan River. This section of the Dan River became known as Captain Staunton’s River and later, Staunton River. Forty years later, in the 1810s, the river became an important means of transporting tobacco, a popular cash crop. Many large plantations were built in the area. During the Civil War, most of these plantations were destroyed.
In 1933, Virginia's Commission of Conservation and Development bought 1,766 acres of farmland bordering the river from several owners. From 1933 to 1935, a unit of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built most of the buildings and facilities that are still seen today at the park. The CCC barracks were located near what is today a nature trail in the park. Buggs Island Lake was formed with the construction of the Kerr Dam in 1952. More than 150 acres of the original park were flooded, leaving some structures completely underwater.
