Just up around the bend at a quiet spit, the mighty Staunton River meets the mighty Dan.
The park has a number of beautiful hiking trails, some like the River Bank Trail (8 1/2 miles) that offer vistas of the rivers from one of two boat ramps or formal wooden stage overlooks of just through the woods or climbing down to the shores. I took this photo just as the sun was breaking through after heavy rains. The campground was nearly empty, so I owned the river as well as the entire hike. Much of it was muddy and sodden and some downright flooded.
It actually made exploring more interesting and the hiking more challenging as the only evidence of traffic was someone earlier on horseback. There is a separate equestrian campground and several of the trails are shared with riders as well as bicyclists (mountain biking). There can be plenty of bike riding going on at the campground where little talked enjoy hanging out with each other.
Although it was too early in the season when I visited, the park has a swimming pool replete with a wild slide open during the summer.
And a couple playgrounds.
As well as tennis courts. I think I heard some basketball playing near this area where the visitor center is as well, though I didn’t see it. And I’m pretty sure volleyball is a possibility too.
The park website indicates kayak rental is available, but it’s not feasible unless you have a place to keep it and a way to get it down to the river. I understand that the offsite vendor only offers the sit-on-top kind, which as I surveyed the high swift rivers with logs protruding here and there looked like an invitation to an untimely death.
It’s also an international dark sky park and the rangers will simply loan you a telescope. A less dangerous solo sport.
I was alone this night, but the following night the rangers alerted a local volunteer that all of the telescopes had been checked out and Luke arrived on the scene with a pretty cool, powerful telescope he had assembled and showed up not only planets and star clusters, but two nearby galaxies.
There is a disc golf course through the woods that looks quite challenging.
Consider that to reach this hole you must throw from uphill and around a forested bend to a small spot almost in the river.
The picnic pavilions for day use are also exceedingly inviting. This one, Shelter One, sits just above the river.
The campground itself is well-maintained and peaceful, though one must wonder sometimes what the definition of getting away from it all is for some folks.
In contrast, here is my humble, but happy home.
Just steps from the river and amidst plenty of varied birdsong.
