Marion is located in Smyth County in the Blue Ridge Highlands region of Virginia. It is named after American Revolutionary War officer Francis Marion. It is near on of the lovliest of Virginia's attractions, Hungry Mother State Park which has folklore and history, swimming, camping, cabin rentals, boat rentals, and hiking.
Legend has it that when the Native Americans destroyed several settlements on the New River south of the park, Molly Marley and her small child were among the survivors taken to the raiders’ base north of the park. They eventually escaped, wandering through the wilderness eating berries. Molly finally collapsed, and her child wandered down a creek. Upon finding help, the only words the child could utter were "Hungry Mother." When the search party arrived at the foot of the mountain where Molly had collapsed, they found the child's mother dead. Today, that mountain is Molly’s Knob (3,270 feet), and the stream is Hungry Mother Creek.
Attractions
Lodging
Hemlock Haven Conference Center
Camping
Accessible Fishing
Buller Hatchery/South Holston River
Town of Marion/Middle Fork Holston River
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