If you’ve ever wanted to go on a real-life treasure hunt, Fairy Stone State Park in Southwest Virginia is the place to do it. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can find naturally occurring cross-shaped stones—aka fairy stones—just lying on the ground, waiting to be discovered. I set out on my own fairy stone hunt, learned a bit of local legend, and even picked up some tricks along the way. Here’s how it went.
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Fortunately, my visit to Fairy Stone State Park coincided with a guided fairy stone hunt event on the park’s calendar, so I was able to get the scoop on fairy stones and their legends at the visitor center before heading off to hunt for them.
What’s the Legend of the Fairy Stones?
Local folk tales say that fairies once lived in this area. One day, an elf arrived with heartbreaking news—Christ had been crucified. The fairies cried and as their tears fell, they crystallized into little stone crosses. Now all that’s left of the fairies are their fairy stones.
What are Fairy Stones?
Fairy stones are pretty rare, found in only a handful of places worldwide—one of them being Fairy Stone State Park (which, yes, gets its name from them). The science behind how fairy stones form is a bit complex, and honestly, my brain checks out when things get too technical.
So, here’s the simple version: they’re six-sided staurolite crystals, and sometimes, they intersect to form little stone crosses. Pretty cool, right? You’ll only find these stones in rocks that were put under extreme heat and pressure—like what happened millions of years ago when the Appalachian Mountains formed.
Inside the visitor center, you’ll find displays of the different types of fairy stones:
- Single – A single hexagonal crystal prism.
- St. Andrews Cross – Two or more crystals intersect at a 60-degree angle.
- Maltese Cross – Two or more crystals intersect at a 90-degree angle.
- Roman Cross – Similar to the Maltese, but with one set of arms longer than the other.
Fairy Stone State Park Hunt Site
I took a five-minute drive east on VA-57 to the Fairy Stone Pit Stop. It’s a white service station on the same side of the road as Fairy Stone State Park. There’s a sign for the Fairy Stone Hunt and a parking area.
The hunt site is a small hollow along an exposed rock vein. When it rains, the water washes everything down into the hollow, right onto the trail— leaving plenty of fairy stones to find!
A ranger met me there, got me started, and gave me some useful tips—which I’ll share with you. At first, it took a minute to train my eyes (kind of like spotting shark teeth), but once I got the hang of it, I found fairy stones within minutes. I didn’t have much time, so I stuck to the front of the trail—if I’d gone farther back, I’m sure I would’ve found even more in better shape. But honestly, I’m thrilled with my experience!
Fairy Stone Hunting Tips
Search smart:
- Creek beds – Water flow smooths some fairy stones, but they’re still there.
- Exposed tree roots – Stones get caught in the nooks.
- Washout areas on hillsides – Mud traps them.
- Fallen tree root balls – Dig around where the roots pulled up.
- Loose rock piles – More rocks = more fairy stones.
What to Look For:
Fairy stones are grayish, a bit darker than schist, and smoother—schist has a grittier texture.
Pro Tips:
- Bring a small bag or container for your finds.
- Get your hands dirty—grab handfuls of dirt and sift through.
- The 0.8-mile loop trail is fair game for hunting, and the farther you go, the better your chances—fewer people search the back sections.
Rules & Reminders:
- Open daily, 8 AM – 10 PM
- No tools allowed—hands only
- Keep what you find
- Wear bug spray—mosquitoes and ticks are everywhere
Take Home A Little Extra Magic
Whether you want to add to your collection or just grab a unique souvenir, the park’s gift shop has plenty of fairy stones, jewelry, apparel and more. Fairy stones, come in their natural color or a darker linseed finish. I picked up a natural finish pendant as a keepsake, but the fairy stones I found are still my favorite—I keep them in my car for good luck!
Final Thoughts
Hunting for fairy stones at Fairy Stone State Park was such a fun, quirky experience—part adventure, part history, and a little bit of magic. Whether you’re into folklore or geology or love a good treasure hunt, it’s a fabulous off-the-beaten-path adventure in Virginia.
Where to Stay Nearby
I stayed at Hotel Floyd, in Floyd VA—about a 35-minute drive from Fairy Stone State Park. Floyd is a charming little town with a fun, artsy, hippie vibe—you’ll love it. It was just a quick walk from the hotel to Main Street, making it super easy to explore.
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