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Occoneechee State
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State Park Overview:
Occoneechee State Park is on Virginia抯 largest lake, Buggs Island Lake, also
known as John H. Kerr Reservoir. The park features 18.1 miles of trails that
allow the guest to experience the history of the Occoneechee Indians and
plantation life in the 1800s.
The Commonwealth of Virginia began leasing the land for outdoor recreational use
from the U.S. Army in 1944. Occoneechee State Park抯 land remains leased from the
Army Corps of Engineers.
Trails:
About 3.1 miles of walking trails wind through woodlands and past scenic lake
views. A one-mile interpretive trail takes visitors to the terraced gardens of
the Old Plantation grounds. The park also features a 15-mile multi-purpose trail
for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
Picnicking:
The park has two shelters that can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day), or 8
a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to dusk (half day). Call 1-800-933-PARK to reserve.
Shelter users may use the volleyball area, and the park lends volleyballs as
well as horseshoes. The shelters are available for rent from the first weekend
in March through the first weekend in December. Parking fees are not included in
the rental (see above for details).
Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then,
there's a cancellation fee.
Shelter 1 (small): Accommodates up to 50 people comfortably. It has lights as
well as electrical outlets and is near the playground, which makes it ideal for
kids. It also features horseshoe pits, a trail leading to a beautiful lakefront
view and a modern restroom facility.
Shelter 2 (large): It accommodates up to 125 comfortably and is near the
playground, horseshoe pits and restrooms. This shelter is handicapped
accessible, has lights and electrical outlets and is on the left just past the
visitor center.
Boating:
Boating: Available year-round. Motorboats are allowed. Three boat launching
ramps are available for access to Buggs Island Lake for both motorized and
non-motorized boats. Call 1-800-933-PARK to purchase an annual boat launch
passport.
The Buggs Island Special Pass provides boat launching and parking for
Occoneechee and Staunton River state parks - it's only $33 a year. Call
1-800-933-PARK for more information.
Pontoon and fishing boats, including safety equipment, can be rented at boat
ramp #1 from Clarksville Marine Rentals, Inc. It's open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30
p.m. Boats must be returned by 6 p.m. Thirty gallons of gas are included in the
rental. Call (434) 374-2525 or (434) 374-2755 to make reservations.
Swimming:
No swimming or wading from the shoreline is permitted because of hazardous
drop-offs and heavy boating traffic.
Fishing and Hunting:
Buggs Island Lake and connecting Lake Gaston are famous for the number and size
of fish found there. Striped and largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and perch
are plentiful. A valid Virginia or North Carolina fishing license is required.
History of the Area:
From 1250 to 1670, the Occoneechee Indians lived on an island on the Roanoke
River near what is now Occoneechee State Park. In 1676, Virginia Councilman
Nathaniel Bacon led a group of men from Henrico County to destroy the
Occoneechees. Bacon抯 attack succeeded only in slaughtering Indians that were
perhaps the friendliest to settlers in the Commonwealth. Neither Governor
Berkeley nor most Virginians approved of Bacon抯 actions.
Nearly 200 years after the attack on the Indians, William Townes built a
plantation on this land by the water. A 20-room mansion with horse stables, a
smokehouse, servants� quarters and beautiful terraced gardens were built on his
3,100 acre plantation in 1839. In 1898 the mansion caught fire and was
destroyed. The landscaping of the garden can still be seen in the park today. |
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