The Future Mayo River State Park
Virginia’s future Mayo River State Park is located in southwestern Henry County near the Virginia-North Carolina border. The commonwealth has acquired a total of 637 acres of land between the North Mayo River and the South Mayo River, which converge just south of the state line in North Carolina.
The new addition to the Virginia State Parks system is intended to complement the park built around the Mayo River in North Carolina, also called Mayo River State Park.
In addition to Indian village sites dating back to 1000-1450, the remote, scenic area boasts a rich history. Surveyor William Byrd, who in October 1728 camped near the North Mayo River near the state border, wrote about its beauty. The river was named after William Mayo, a surveyor in Byrd’s party.
In 2008, a 7.1-mile portion of the North Mayo River between Route 695 and the state border, and the 6.9 miles of the South Mayo River from the Patrick County line to the state border were both designated as Virginia Scenic Rivers.
A master plan is under development for the park. There will be a Public Information Meeting about the plan on December 16, 2024. For more information please visit https://mayoriverspmasterplanva.com/.
Key Contacts
- Adam Layman, Park Manager, Fairy Stone State Park, adam.layman@dcr.virginia.gov
- Tim Vest, District Manager, Piedmont Region, Virginia State Parks tim.vest@dcr.virginia.gov
A new trail system was dedicated at the site on Earth Day, April 22, 2022 at the site (parking at the end of Pratt Road in Spencer, Virginia). Read the press release
