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Pinnacles of Dan Trail is a 5.4 mile lightly trafficked out-and-back trail that features a waterfall and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best from April until November.

This is a difficult and potentially dangerous off-trail scramble that requires navigation skills. Do not attempt if you are looking for a regular hike.

This starts at the Dan River Hydro Facility where a permit must be obtained before going beyond the powerhouse. The trail follows the river upstream for about 1/2 mile where it forks. The right fork continues to follow the river while the left-hand fork starts heading almost straight up the mountainside.

Few switchbacks make this a very strenuous hike. Once you have gained the ridge, go right along the crest and continue to the top. Beautiful views of the peaked Pinnacles of Dan, the start of the Dan River, are a sweet reward for your efforts on this extreme hike.

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For permission and release forms please contact the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Ferrum College at 540-365-4370.

A tour may be arranged or for more information and images, go to website at: https://www.ferrum.edu/school-of-undergraduate-studies/projects/dehart-botanical-gardens/

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Park History

I.C. DeHart Memorial Park was named after local resident Isaac “Ike” Dehart. Before becoming a destination for hikers and mountain bike enthusiasts, the land was home to a grist mill and legal distillery. Over the course of his life, Isaac and his brother Joseph built a thriving business that took advantage of Virginia’s rich soil and ran a farm, raised cattle, operated a roller and grist mill, and ran a legal distillery that shipped corn and rye whiskey to markets throughout the state and beyond.

Like all good things, distilleries came to a close in the early part of the twentieth century when prohibition took over the state. The alcohol business gave way to other endeavors, and ultimately, Ike DeHart’s heirs donated the land that is now the park, to Patrick County.

Wetland Area

I.C. DeHart Memorial Park supports a beautiful reclaimed wetland site with a boardwalk and extensive interpretive information. Numerous signs in the area provide information about the insects, reptiles, birds and plants found in the wetland as well as documenting the history of its creation and ongoing community involvement in studying its ecology. The wetland serves as an obvious focus for the wildlife watcher to search the reeds for red-winged blackbirds in summer, swamp sparrows in winter and perhaps a common snipe during migration. The surrounding sports fields support open country species such as eastern bluebird and killdeer, while the bordering woodlands support chickadees, titmice and the occasional red-bellied and downy woodpeckers. Search the wetland in spring and summer for a variety of amphibians including red-spotted newt and perhaps a turtle or water snake. Dragonflies, damselflies and butterflies abound in the varied vegetation.

Mountain Bike Trails

The mountain bike trails at I.C. DeHart Park are a true piedmont style trail system. Almost entirely singletrack, this flowy trail system does have some great rock gardens, moderate climbs, and fun technical trail features scattered throughout the system. There are several signed loops rather than trail names, white loop, blue loop, etc. so be sure to check the map and know your bailout points if you are looking for a shorter ride! Otherwise, enjoy the scenery, remoteness, and fun of Woolwine!

Woolwine East Loop: 8 miles

Woolwine West Loop: 5 miles

The USA Cycling Mountain Bike Virginia State Championships, Bootlegger’s Blitz are held here annually.

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Also, in the springtime to early summer, nearly 200 varieties of wildflowers are visible along the trail area. The rest of the trail is a 7.3-mi ascent back out of the gorge on the return trail. You’ll see tunnels of rhododendron and other thick mountain foliage, a splashing stream, and high open meadows.

The elevations range from 1,700 to 3,572 ft. A few small historic structures are visible along the trail, including a Civilian Conservation Corps camp.

The lower, flat part of this trail is named Rock Castle Creek and includes it’s own parking lot.

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The park is just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and has days of outdoor activities waiting for you! Pitch your tent under the stars or cozy up in a cabin or yurt. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboat and cruise the lake. Unleash the kids on the swimming beach where they’ll have hours of fun in this playground on the water. Hike a different trail each day, and don’t miss the waterfall! Bring your horses and camp right beside them after a day of exploring all the equestrian trails. Enjoy one of the many programs and guided excursions led by park interpreters. Bring your mountain bike for exciting rides through the forest.

Try your luck at hunting fairy stones!  Staurolite crystals (aka “fairy stones”) are naturally occurring crystals found only in a few places on earth.  Fairy Stone State Park is one of those special places! Just down the road from the main entrance of the park, you will find the “Fairy Stone Hunt Site,” which is the most abundant place to look. Anyone can find a fairy stone. It just takes a little patience and a good eye. Be sure to visit the Fairy Stone State Park Visitors Center to learn all about the various formations of the stone and its local lore.

Camping and Other Lodging

The Fairy Stone State Park offers traditional tent camping, RV camping, cabin rentals, lodge rentals, and even yurts!

Campsites have a fire ring with grill, picnic table, 12′ x 14′ sand pad, and parking for two cars (not including camping unit). Leashed pets are allowed. Most sites have electric and water hook-ups, but no sewer. All sites are shaded. Bathhouses and dumpsites are located nearby. You can even rent a campsite next to your horse at the park’s equestrian campground which includes stables.

Cabins and Lodge offer all the comforts of home with a rustic feel while you explore the park including A/C, bedrooms, full bathrooms and kitchens, living areas, porches, private parking, fireplaces, and great views. Pets allowed.

Try out a Yurt! These sturdy shelters are a cross between a tent and a cabin. Each yurt sleeps three and has a large wooden deck, a picnic table, a fire ring with cooking grate, and one queen-sized & one twin-sized trundle pull-out bed. Like a tent, yurts have no electricity or water, but water is available at the adjacent bathhouse. No pets allowed in the yurt.

Hiking

Fairy Stone State Park has eleven trails, many of which are multi-use. Spend all day exploring the tail systems with your bike, your horse, or your own two feet!

Fairy Stone Lake

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Fairy Stone Lake is open to swimming and paddling! Enjoy fun in the sun the water playground, diving dock with slide, lifeguards at the ready, concession stands, picnic shelters, sandy beach, shade trees, locker rooms, and boat rentals!

Fairy Stones

Staurolite crystals, aka “fairy stones” are rare, cross-shaped stones found only in certain places around the globe. Historic superstitions held that possessing one of these rare stones would protect its owner from illness, accidents, and even warding off a witch’s curse. Locally, these stones were said to be the tears of ancient mountain fairies, hence their local nickname. In truth, they are brown staurolite crystal, a combination of silica, iron, and aluminum. Together these minerals crystallize in twin form creating a cross-shaped formation. They are found only in rocks that have been subject to great heat and pressure such as was found millions of years ago in the geological history of the formation of the Appalachian Mountains.

Fishing

Ample pan-fish are just waiting to be caught, so it’s the perfect place to teach the kids fishing skills. For more serious anglers, the lake offers some good largemouth bass. Bluegill, crappie, catfish, and October-stocked trout round out the park’s lake fishing. Just up the road is Philpott Lake, which offers good largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing. It’s also a good lake for walleye. Fishing is allowed with a valid Virginia fishing license. Fishing licenses are sold in the park office. A fishing area is accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. Canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Hunting

Hunting is allowed only in designated areas. About half the park’s land is open to hunting. Hunting is never allowed near the public facilities – i.e., the beach, cabins and campground. Next to the park is the Fairystone Farms Wildlife Management Area, which has a 5,000-acre deer management area. Visit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website for more information on hunting.

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