The Legend of Hungry Mother State Park

Hungry Mother State Park is in Smyth County, Virginia, near Interstate 81. The park was primarily built by the CCC, opened in 1936, and was one of Virginia’s first state parks. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. 

How Hungry Mother State Park got its name

The park is noted for its unique name, which has folklore that has been passed down for over 200 years. Legend has it that Native Americans destroyed several frontier settlements on the New River south of the park. A young woman named Molly Marley and her small child survived the attacks but were taken to a camp north of the park. After some time, Molly and her young child escaped into the woods. As they desperately searched for a settlement, they foraged and ate only berries for days on end. As the days passed, Molly grew weaker, finally collapsing and dying near what would become known as Molly’s Knob just east of the present-day park. The toddler eventually found safety and could only explain what happened with the phrase, “Hungry, Mammy! Hungry, Mammy!”

It’s a point of contention how accurate this story is. There are several versions of the story. Historians have found evidence of an Indian Raid in the area in the 1750s. The whole truth is almost certainly lost to history, but the legend will live on. 

Today you can enjoy Molly’s Knob Trail, which is 3.4 miles long and features excellent views of the valley below. While on the trail, I bet you can’t help but feel as if you are walking in the footsteps of the hungry mother and her toddler. 

Things to do at Hungry Mother State Park

There are plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, camping, swimming, and boating on the park’s namesake, more than a 100-acre lake.