General Information:

Fairy Stone State Park is home of the mysterious "fairy stones." It is one of the six original Virginia state parks to open on June 15, 1936. The treasured stone so prevalent in the region, beautiful scenery, rich history and ample recreational opportunities make Fairy Stone one of the favorites of park visitors. Junius B. Fishburn, who had been president of the Southwest Virginia Trust Company, donated the 4,868-acre site, making it the largest of the six original parks and one of the largest to this day.

The Legend of the Fairy Stone:

Many hundreds of years before Chief Powhatan's reign, fairies were dancing around a spring of water, playing with naiads and wood nymphs, when an elfin messenger arrived from a city far away. He brought news of the death of Christ. When these creatures of the forest heard the story of the crucifixion, they wept. As their tears fell upon the earth, they crystallized to form beautiful crosses. When the fairies disappeared from the enchanted place, ground about the spring and the adjacent valley was strewn with these mementos of the event.

For many years people held these little crosses in superstitious awe, firm in the belief that they protected the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents and disaster. Fairy stones are brown staurolite, a combination of silica, iron and aluminum. Together, these minerals crystallize in twin form, accounting for the crosslike structure. Found only in rocks that have been subjected to great heat and pressure, the stones are most commonly shaped like St. Andrew's and Roman crosses. The most sought after are those in the shape of the Maltese cross. The rare staurolite stones are found elsewhere but not in such abundance and shaped so nearly like crosses as in the vicinity of Fairy Stone State Park.

Learn more at http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/fairyst.htm.

Location:

From I-81 near Roanoke, take exit to Route 581 to Route 220 South to Route 57 West to Route 346 North (Fairystone Lake Drive). From I-77 near Hillsville, take Route 58 East to Route 8 North to Route 57 East to Route 346 North (Fairystone Lake Drive). From Greensboro, take Route 220 North to Route 220 North bypass at Martinsville, then Route 57 West to Route 346 North. From Richmond, take Route 360 West to Route 58 West to Route 220 North Bypass at Martinsville to Route 57 West to Route 346 North.

Driving Directions

From I-81 near Roanoke, take exit to Route 581, then Route 220 towards Martinsville. Route 57 West exits just north of Martinsville. Go to Route 346 North (Fairystone Lake Drive) to the park.

From I-77 near Haysville, VA, take Route 58 east to Route 8 North to Route 57 East to Route 346 North (Fairystone Lake Drive).

From I-40 in Greensboro, take the Route 68-North exit at the Airport. This runs into 220 North. Take 220 North to the Route 220 North bypass at Martinsville. Exit to the Fairy Stone State Park Exit on Route 57 West. Take Route 346 North (Fairystone Lake Drive) to the park.

If you need different directions, please call us evenings...

When you arrive at Fairy Stone State Park, the lodge will be to your left, immediately before the office.

Travel Time:

For more information, contact Dick Merritt (Director) at dickmerritt@mindspring.com.