(All Women+ Crew) Hungry Mother State Park & Paddling, VA

This project is open to anyone who feels that an all- women’s trip that centers and celebrates the experience of women is the right space for them.

An annual fall favorite not to be missed! Visit one of the original six Virginia State Parks! Hungry Mother State Park is known for beautiful woodlands and a placid 108-acre lake in the heart of the mountains. This state park suffered extensive damage during the 2024 hurricane season.

Hungry Mother State Park encompasses roughly 3,000 acres with 250 acres developed. The park is nestled in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia and has a 108-acre lake stocked with Muskie, walleye, and catfish, but plenty of other native species are available. Canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all available. Hungry Mother also has 18 miles of some of the finest mountain trails to hike and bike. One trail leads to the highest knob in the Park, Molly’s Knob with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and countryside. Find out who Molly is and how she is ingrained in our legend of how she helped to give the park its name. The park is located in the same county as the highest peak in Virginia, Mt. Rogers, and is surrounded by National forest and many natural areas. The Channels, the Pinnacles, the Cascades, and Grayson Highlands State Park to name a few are all extraordinary natural finds and are all within an hour’s drive of the park. This area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Basic shopping needs and nice eateries are located in Marion, VA, only four miles away.

For this project, volunteers will continue trail work on the Raiders Run Reroute, which American Hiking Society crews have worked on for the last three years. The trails have been bench cut (trail steps) on moderately steep slopes but will be improved for sustainability with water diversion features. Volunteers will improve trails by maintaining, shaping, and defining existing hiking and mountain bike features including berms, rollers, and trail tread formations on these trails along with other necessary features. Most of the work will be spent bending, shoveling, raking, chopping, and tamping.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

Avg. Temperature:

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of around 70–75°F and lows of 50–55°F. Mid-October in southwestern Virginia is comfortably mild with cool nights and occasional rain from passing systems.

Sample Schedule:

Day 1: Arrival

Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)

Day 2: Work Day

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM

Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.

Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.

Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.

After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of  time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.

Day 3: Work Day

Day 4: Departure

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, finish any final project work. Break down camp, say goodbyes, and travel home.

Please note:  This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.

Land Acknowledgment:

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Cherokee, East, and Yuchi people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.