Closures at Virginia State Parks

Due to Hurricane Helene, numerous Virginia State Parks are partially closed. For your safety and the safety of our staff and emergency response workers, please do not attempt to access areas in parks that have been closed.

Last updated: Nov. 8, 2024. 8:37 a.m.

Virginia State Park closures
Grayson Highlands:	The park is open. All trails are passable with the exception of Listening Rock and Stampers Branch (from the main road to Hickory Ridge campground). Please read the rest of this information carefully. Due to road closures on US-58, the only access to the park for the foreseeable future is via Rt. 600 from Chilhowie Exit 35, from Interstate 81. Please be aware that this route includes two sections of long, straight pulls of significant grade that may be difficult for vehicles towing large campers. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA) has lifted the closure of the high country. However, not all MRNRA trails are open or passable. For the most up-to-date information on this area, call the MRNRA Headquarters at 276-783-5196 or go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1211517.
New River Trail:	PARTIALLY CLOSED. Sections of the park are still closed. Campgrounds will be closed through Feb. 28, 2025. View a trail guide with closures marked.
Claytor Lake:	As the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continue clearing debris from Claytor Lake, they will be mobilizing more equipment and resources to help with the cleanup efforts and implementing a safety zone. While the safety zone is in effect, boaters may experience delays and the following rules apply: Before entering the safety zone, boaters should make contact with the on-site flagger or equipment operator to ensure it’s safe to enter. All boaters must stay 200 yards away from all active U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris recovery activity and equipment. During cleanup, the following sections of the park will be impacted: The marina parking lot is closed. Additional marina parking will be available in the grass overflow lot across from the marina parking lot. Until further notice, the boat ramp inside the park is closed for recreational use Monday through Thursday, with minimal access to retrieve boats from marina slips still allowed. Those who want to retrieve their boats from the marina must make contact with the on-site flaggers to ensure safe travel to and from the ramp. Additional access will be allowed Friday through Sunday, but boaters must make contact with on-site flaggers. Until further notice, the DWR Dublin boat ramp located off Bear Drive is open seven days a week for launching recreational boats and retrieving boats and other personal property. There is no parking at this boat ramp, so boaters must park at the park’s overflow lot and will be shuttled to and from their vehicles and boats. When boaters return from the water and need a shuttle back to their vehicle, please call 360-731-7218. Shuttle service is being provided by a contractor, not park staff.Traffic patterns may change to accommodate equipment utilizing the park roadways, marina parking lot and launch area. The park hiking trails, cabins and campsites were not affected by the storm or debris.

Virginia State Park closures

Grayson Highlands:

The park is open. All trails are passable with the exception of Listening Rock and Stampers Branch (from the main road to Hickory Ridge campground). Please read the rest of this information carefully.

Due to road closures on US-58, the only access to the park for the foreseeable future is via Rt. 600 from Chilhowie Exit 35, from Interstate 81. Please be aware that this route includes two sections of long, straight pulls of significant grade that may be difficult for vehicles towing large campers.

The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (MRNRA) has lifted the closure of the high country. However, not all MRNRA trails are open or passable. For the most up-to-date information on this area, call the MRNRA Headquarters at 276-783-5196 or go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gwj/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1211517.

New River Trail:

PARTIALLY CLOSED. Sections of the park are still closed. Campgrounds will be closed through Feb. 28, 2025. View a trail guide with closures marked.

Claytor Lake:

As the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continue clearing debris from Claytor Lake, they will be mobilizing more equipment and resources to help with the cleanup efforts and implementing a safety zone.

While the safety zone is in effect, boaters may experience delays and the following rules apply:

Before entering the safety zone, boaters should make contact with the on-site flagger or equipment operator to ensure it’s safe to enter.
All boaters must stay 200 yards away from all active U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris recovery activity and equipment.

During cleanup, the following sections of the park will be impacted:

The marina parking lot is closed. Additional marina parking will be available in the grass overflow lot across from the marina parking lot.
Until further notice, the boat ramp inside the park is closed for recreational use Monday through Thursday, with minimal access to retrieve boats from marina slips still allowed. Those who want to retrieve their boats from the marina must make contact with the on-site flaggers to ensure safe travel to and from the ramp. Additional access will be allowed Friday through Sunday, but boaters must make contact with on-site flaggers.
Until further notice, the DWR Dublin boat ramp located off Bear Drive is open seven days a week for launching recreational boats and retrieving boats and other personal property. There is no parking at this boat ramp, so boaters must park at the park’s overflow lot and will be shuttled to and from their vehicles and boats. When boaters return from the water and need a shuttle back to their vehicle, please call 360-731-7218. Shuttle service is being provided by a contractor, not park staff.Traffic patterns may change to accommodate equipment utilizing the park roadways, marina parking lot and launch area.
The park hiking trails, cabins and campsites were not affected by the storm or debris.