OCCONEECHEE STATE PARK MARINA OPEN BUT NOT IN FULL SWING

The Occoneechee State Park Marina at Clarksville, VA has been open for several months and there are slips to be had for boaters who want to dock for the night, the week or for all year. Park Manager Scott Shanklin says the marina is still brand new and many people do not yet know about it.

The marina is attached to the land that was known as CAMPGROUND B – Primitive.  There were few objections to the location of the marina since the serenity of the water side of the campground was fairly desecrated by the completion of the US 58 Bypass.  Most agree that it was a sensible location.



What is raising eyebrows amongst some locals and in particular campers who frequent Occoneechee is the rental rate which Shanklin says was set by higher authorities.  To have a permanent dock at the marina can cost between $1,200 and $1,750 per year which park officials say is competitive. 

While an Occoneechee campsite with electric and water is in the $27 per night range, overnight docking for a camper for a runabout or fishing boat is $36 per night.  While KLPW was at the park, none of the six transient sites were rented.  Most of those type boats do not require electric and water hookups.  KERR LAKE PARK WATCH will be asking Virginia Park officials how the overnight/transient rate was set.

Another concern is that the marina is located away from other park sections and that it is pretty far and downhill from the parking lot.

Occoneechee has not received additional staff to assist so the extra service is being absorbed by existing staff members.  A seasonal employee is working on weekends to serve the public at the new gas docks at Occoneechee.  During the last part of May non-ethanol boat gas was priced at $4.39 per gallon.



The fuel dock is located on the same dock as the concessionaire that rents pontoon boats to the public.