Staunton River State Park
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Location
Near Scottsburg, Halifax County
Park size
2,336 acres
Known for
Stargazing, trails and CCC-era buildings
Address
1170 Staunton Trail, Scottsburg, VA 24589
At the meeting of the Dan and Staunton rivers, Staunton River State Park pairs wooded trails and open meadows with a shoreline setting near Buggs Island Lake, also known as Kerr Reservoir. Visitors come to hike, bike, ride horses, fish, boat, camp or stay in cabins; the park also offers picnic areas, playgrounds and other outdoor facilities. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) lists more than 17 miles of multi-use trails and identifies the park as Virginia’s first International Dark Sky Park. [1]
This is a place to mix daytime time outdoors with a look at the night sky: DCR says the park hosts interpretive star-watching programs and rents telescopes. It also has a distinctive layer of history in its 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) buildings. Before you travel, check the park’s current notices: operating conditions and access can change, and DCR currently notes closures affecting some facilities and boat launching. [2]
Plan a trip to Staunton River State Park
Why visit Staunton River State Park?
The park’s appeal is its combination of riverside scenery, outdoor recreation and a notably dark night sky. The rivers and nearby lake create a setting for fishing and boating, while trails offer ways to explore the woods and shoreline on foot or by bike. Multi-use trails also accommodate horseback riding; visitors should check with the park before setting out, as trails may close in wet conditions. [3]
After dark, the park’s International Dark Sky Park designation makes stargazing a natural part of a visit. DCR describes interpretive programs and telescope rentals; contact the park for current program details and availability. For a longer stay, cabins and several camping options make it possible to spend more time outdoors without leaving the park. [4]
Start here
Begin by checking DCR’s current alerts, recreation information and park map, then decide whether your visit is mainly for trails, time on the water, an overnight stay or a stargazing program. If a particular activity depends on a boat launch, swimming facility or visitor-center service, confirm its status directly with the park before making plans. At the time of access, DCR reports that the Visitor Center is closed for renovations, the pool will not open, and the Staunton River boat launch is closed due to low water; it also warns that launching on the Dan River side may not be possible when water levels are low. [5]
What to see and do
Explore the trails
Walk, bike or ride on wooded and multi-use trails near the Dan and Staunton rivers and Buggs Island Lake. Check trail conditions with the park, since trails can close when wet.
Look up after dark
Plan around the park’s dark-sky setting and ask about interpretive star-watching programs and telescope rentals. Confirm program dates and equipment availability before your visit.
Spend time on the water
The rivers and nearby lake provide opportunities for fishing and boating. Launch conditions can depend on water levels, so check current notices before bringing a boat.
Stay overnight
Choose from cabins, a campground or equestrian camping, subject to current availability and operating seasons. Review DCR’s lodging details before booking.
Make it a picnic outing
Picnic shelters, tables and playgrounds offer options for a slower-paced visit. Check with the park for current facility access and shelter reservation details.
Notice the CCC-era buildings
Several park buildings date to the 1930s, when the Civilian Conservation Corps helped construct facilities that remain part of the park’s character.
History and significance
The park takes its name from the Staunton River, a section of the Roanoke River named for Captain Henry Staunton, a pre-Revolutionary War officer. In the 1810s, the river became a route for transporting tobacco, and plantations grew in the surrounding area. [6]
Virginia’s Commission of Conservation and Development acquired farmland for the park in 1933. From 1933 to 1935, a CCC unit built many of its early structures and facilities, and the park opened on June 15, 1936. Construction of Kerr Dam created Buggs Island Lake in 1952, flooding part of the original park land. The park was recognized as a National Historic Landmark and a Virginia Historic Landmark in 2007; DCR notes that several CCC-era buildings remain little changed. [7]
Planning a visit
Staunton River State Park is at 1170 Staunton Trail, southeast of Scottsburg and about 18 miles east of South Boston, according to DCR. The park lists regular hours of 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., but check its official page for current notices, directions and conditions before leaving. [8]
DCR lists cabins, tent and RV camping, equestrian camping, picnic shelters and other facilities. Reservations, fees, seasonal schedules and availability vary by facility; review the park’s current lodging and fee information when planning. If visiting to hike or ride, call ahead about trail conditions. If bringing a boat, confirm launch access and water levels. [9]
There is no designated swimming area listed in the park’s recreation information. As of the access date, DCR says the pool will not open and reports the Visitor Center closed for renovations; check the official park page for updates. For current conditions or star-watching questions, contact the park at 434-572-4623 or StauntonRiver@dcr.virginia.gov. [10]
Nearby attractions
The park is in Southern Virginia, within reach of South Boston and other Halifax County destinations. DCR’s nearby-attractions list includes Staunton River Battlefield State Park, South Boston Museum and South Boston Speedway. Check each destination’s official information for current hours and access before adding it to your plans. [11]
South Boston, Virginia
A nearby town and convenient starting point for exploring Halifax County.
Staunton River Battlefield State Park
A separate state park with Civil War history, included among DCR’s nearby attractions.
Virginia State Parks
Explore the statewide park system for more outdoor destinations.
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References
- ↑ Staunton River State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park: Recreation and trail information, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park: History, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park: History, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park: Location and hours, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park: Recreation, camping and facilities, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.
- ↑ Staunton River State Park: Nearby attractions, Virginia State Parks, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Retrieved 2026-10-22.