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We had a fantastic experience every step of the way. The two gentlemen working the visitors center went above and beyond in helping us plan our day and learn about the park.
We wanted to purchase our yearly hanging pass and they made it super easy to get that done. They answered every question my kids had. They also informed me about upcoming classes and activities we can find by following the park on social media. Give these guys a raise - they were absolutely amazing!
My kids wanted to work on their junior ranger badge, so they helped explain how their program works. They also let me know where good cell coverage was to access internet based resources they provide.
If your kids want to do the Junior Ranger Program - be sure your Agents of Discovery app is updated and you've downloaded the challenges specific for this park before you arrive! There are three available.
The visitors center has a whole educational section with interactive exhibits and information! We definitely want to come back to spend more time in there.
They also have rentable wheelchairs thst can navigate trails.
We did the Mason Creek Trail and it was FANTASTIC! The first mile gets you to the cascades with benches available. But the real magic happens closer to mile 2! Mule deer, fields of wildflowers, crossing the streams by hopping rocks, etc. The mountain bikers were all so kind and respectful and we met so many friendly people on the trail. We expected it to be crowded for the holiday weekend, instead it was a quiet and pleasant hike.
We went in hoping to do 2 miles round trip and did 5 instead. But we wanted to keep going! Next time we hope to do the whole loop.
This will sound funny, but if you are a hiker... You know. The bathrooms at the trailhead were so clean and actually smelled NICE! But no hand sanitizer - so bring some from you car!
I have Verizon and has at least 1 bar the whole way. This means AllTrails worked without a hitch and I could get text only messages out to let me husband know...
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All of the staff we encountered were very friendly and helpful. A volunteer checked in on us at our campsite and asked if we needed anything or had any questions. Right after a big wet violent thunderstorm blew through on July 4th, I spotted a park ranger checking everything out along the trail.
The park has a great program to rent wheelchairs with tracks for exploring the trails. The park could cut back on weekend warrior heart attacks if they would rent wagons for campers to load up and pull all their gear up to the campsite and then return. After a walk to my car, I passed three strapping young men gasping for breath carrying a large tent just to site 12 and our trek to 17 was filled with many stops to catch our breath.
Campsite 17 was about 700-800 yards uphill at about 8500’ altitude as hiked from the upper parking lot on a poorly marked trail that is steep enough at points to have mountain bikers walk their bikes; so be aware that you’re not car camping.
The campsite is about 15-20 yards off the path and has shade most of the day. You could hang a couple of hammocks nearby. It is in a relatively open area. On the day we arrived several deer with velvety antlers walked by (see picture.) On the morning we left a doe wandered by. It is about 200 steps from the campsite to the blue restroom.
Of all the campsites, 18 and 16 have the best views, while 11 and 12 are nice and private and closer to the parking lot. 14 is nearest to the restroom.
If you have a mountain bike, this is a great place to try it out, hopefully the park will replace its confusing...
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Staunton State Park is a quiet, less crowded spot tucked away at higher elevation—not one of the more talked-about parks, but definitely worth checking out if you enjoy nature without the buzz of big crowds.
There are plenty of well-marked hiking trails throughout, and I noticed several signs indicating that horseback riding is allowed, which is great for equestrians. One thing that stood out was the availability of accessibility-friendly wheelchairs for those who want to explore the trails with assistance—huge plus for inclusivity.
We hiked to Davis Pond, which is a man-made reservoir or dam. It was peaceful, and there were a few folks fishing around the pond. Since it had snowed recently, the trails were still covered in fresh snow, but it wasn't a problem with the right gear. Just a nice, crisp hike with some beautiful wintery views.
There were signs posted all around the park warning about moose activity, so if you're visiting with kids, keep that in mind and stay aware.
Overall, it’s a secluded park with a calm vibe, great for a quiet hike, a bit of fishing, or just getting some fresh mountain air without bumping into a...
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