Douthat State Park

General Information

A traditional family park since 1936, Douthat is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in the development of parks nationwide. Amid some of Virginia's most breathtaking mountain scenery, visitors enjoy interpretive programs, four miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a sandy swimming beach with a snack bar, boat rentals, a gift shop and camp store, cabins, and more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. Plus, there are playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic areas, tent and trailer camping. The park also has 32 cabins and three lodges that accommodate 15, 16 and 18 guests each.

Hours

6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Location

From I-64, take Exit 27 near Clifton Forge. Turn North onto State Route 629 (highway at exit ramp). Travel north two miles to the park entrance sign and another four miles to the park office.

Its address is 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, VA 24460; Latitude, 37.896054. Longitude, -79.809300.

Drive Time: Northern Virginia, four hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, five hours; Richmond, three hours; Roanoke, one hour

Park Size

4,545 acres. Lake: 50 acres.

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Cabins, camping

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES

Cabins, camping. For information on the availability of overnight accommodations and particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.

Boat launching is free for overnight guests. The beach area is open May through October for unguarded swimming within the roped area. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited.  Read more about swimming in the park's Recreation section.

Click here to visit a Flickr photoset of typical cabins and lodges at the park. Cabins and lodges vary; any given dwelling may not match what's shown in the photos.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for cabin stays.

Cabins | Lodges | Camping

Cabins

You must have with you either your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter at check-in. If you've arranged for someone else to check-in for you, make sure that person has your reservation number as the number is needed to enter the cabin. All cabins are pet-friendly; there is a fee per pet per night. Be prepared to show a valid ID if requested. Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m.

Six-night rentals are required between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.  This requirement is reduced to a four-night stay three months out and dropped to two nights in the last month before arrival. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year.

Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Those visiting cabin guests are charged the daily parking fee and must park in an area designated by the park.

Guests who arrive late will find an envelope with their name on it on the wooden kiosk at the end of the Park Office sidewalk. Park maps are provided so that these guests may find their way to the cabin. The park office is the first building on the right after exiting I-64 and passing the collection booth. From cabins 1-9, the lake is seasonably observable. Cabins 22-25 are locally called Creek Row. The creek is about 30 feet from the cabins. The creek, however, cannot be seen from the cabins.

Cabins 1-30 have been renovated. Bunkbeds have been removed. The sofa has been replaced with a futon except in cabins 2, 13, 16 and 19. See this chart for details.

Cabins:

• Cabins have rustic furniture, heat and AC, a full kitchen and bathroom.  
• No linens are provided. Guests must provide all linens and towels.
• Bring food, dish detergent and dish towels and all personal care items. There is no dishwasher, telephone, TV, washer/dryer. Pillows are provided however, you may prefer bringing your own pillow.
• Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, microwave oven, toaster.
• Living Area: Futon, chairs, dining table.  Cabins 2, 13, 16 and 19 have a love seat instead of a futon.
• Fireplaces: Cabin 34 has a gas-log fireplace, all other fireplaces are wood-burning. The park provides one complimentary bundle of firewood. Additional firewood is for sale at the park office and camp store. Because of the possibility of destructive invasive species do not bring firewood into the park.
• Picnic tables
• Charcoal grills and fire pits
• Rocking chairs on porches
• No decks
• There is no cell service in the park. The Camp Store and park office have WiFi access.
• There is a large recycling bin in the upper Beach Parking area for recycling products except for glass.
• Cabins 1-25, 33 and 35 have open porches.
• Cabins 26-30 have enclosed screened porches.

• Please refer to this chart for type of cabin, beds and maximum occupancy.

Lodges

Please note that the cancellation fee for Douthat Main Lodge, Creasey Lodge and Beard's Mountain Lodge is higher than it is for cabins.

Douthat Lodge (atop the mountain): Weekly rentals start on Saturday.

This log lodge overlooks the park. It was built by the CCC. It is currently being renovated.

Creasey Lodge (behind the park's main office): Five-bedroom. Weekly rentals start on Friday .

This one-story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office.  It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one bedroom with a queen bed, and all other bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds. Three bathrooms of which is one accessible to people with disabilities.

• Kitchen: Stove, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, dishes, silverware, basic pots and pans; advised to bring dish detergent and dish towels.
• Deck
• Telephone with local, calling card or collect calls only.
• Wi-Fi available
• Washer and dryer
• No smoking
• No linens are provided. Guests must provide all linens and towels.

Beards Mountain Lodge: Six-bedroom, maximum occupancy is 16. Weekly rentals start on Sunday.

This frame-built facility is midway up the mountain and is universally accessible. It accommodates up to 16 guests. There are three bathrooms and six bedrooms: two queen bedrooms, two bedrooms with two twins, and two bedrooms with two bunk beds.

• Maximum six cars. Additional parking is strictly limited and may not be available. Additional cars pay the daily parking fee.
• Universally accessible.
• No smoking.
• The kitchen has an electric range and oven, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, pots, pans, dishes and utensils.
• The living-dining area has a fireplace with gas logs.
• Heated and air-conditioned with a heat pump.
• No linens are provided. Guests must provide all linens and towels.
• Front and back porch.
• Washer and dryer.

Total sites: 35

Camping

Douthat is known for delightful, inviting campsites. Some offer a splendid view of Douthat Lake. Camping is available year-round in Whispering Pines campground. (Note: From November through March water is unavailable at individual campsites because of freezing weather.) Reservations are sit-specific in all campgrounds. The campgrounds are pet-friendly. Generators may not be used in any campgrounds.

Table of specific campsites.
Photos of specific campsites.

• Firewood is for sale. Because of the possibility of destructive invasive species, do not bring firewood.
• Late arriving campers to Lakeside, Whiteoak and Beaverdam will find an envelope with their name on it on the wooden kiosk at the end of the Park Office sidewalk.  Park maps are provided so that these campers may find their campground.  Whispering Pines campers need to go directly to Whispering Pines. Camper packets can be found in the kiosk at the camp host site.The park office is the first building on the right after exiting I-64 and passing the collection booth (approximately 4 miles from park entrance sign).
• Campsites have grills for cooking or a campfire. All fires must be kept within the grill. Picnic tables and lantern posts are also provided.
• Two vehicles per campsite in addition to the camping unit; extra vehicles must park in the overflow parking area, and parking fees apply for extra vehicles. All equipment must be placed within the site's gravel borders.

Total sites of each type: EW Lakeside, 19;EW Beaver Dam Horse, 14; EW White Oak, 31; EW Whispering Pines, 23

Site type:

Lakeside (LS) - Nineteen electric/water RV or tent sites with gravel pads. Maximum RV length is 40 feet with parking for tow or towed vehicles on sites. The campground has a bath house with showers and a dump station. Sites have water with 30 and 50 amp electric hookups (no sewer). Campground Map

Beaver Dam (BD-equestrian camping) - Fourteen mostly shaded electric/water RV or tent sites (four pull-throughs) with gravel pads. Maximum RV length is 40 feet with parking for tow or towed vehicles on sites. Sites have water with 30 and 50 amp service. The campground has a bathhouse with showers and a dump station. There are 13 covered stalls rented separately from camping sites. Guests must provide their own hay and water bucket and must clean up after their horses. The park provides a rake, shovel and wheelbarrow. Stalls measure 12 by 12 feet. Only one horse is allowed per stall. Horses are not permitted to stay in trailers or any other area of the park. At least one person must stay in the campground overnight for the entire duration of the stall reservation. Campground Map

White Oak (WO) - Thirty-one mostly shaded RV or tent sites with gravel pads. Maximum RV length is 40 feet with parking for tow or towed vehicles on sites. Sites have water with 30 amp service. The campground has a bathhouse with showers and a dump station. For first-time visitors, please note there is a narrow low-water bridge leading to the campground. There are times that this bridge can flood and be impassable. Campground Map

Whispering Pines (WP) - Twenty-three RV or tent sites with gravel pads. Maximum RV length is 50 feet with parking for tow or towed vehicles on sites. The campground has a bathhouse with showers and a dump stations. Sites have water with 30 and 50-amp electric hookups (no sewer). A playground is nearby. Campground Map

Total sites: 87

Recreation

TRAILS

Hiking, bridle and mountain bike trails (no horse rentals). There are more than 40 miles of wooded hiking trails to choose from throughout the year, ranging from easy to difficult. Many park trails are open to mountain bikers; however, hikers have the right-of-way. Douthat has 6 miles of bridle trails. Visit the park office for a map depicting trails at Douthat.

SWIMMING

The Beach area is open May through October for unguarded swimming within the roped area; the diving dock is off-limits. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited. Click here for park fees. 

Free Wi-Fi is available near the bathhouse.

FISHING, BOATING

Douthat Lake is a 50-acre fee-fishing lake stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout twice a week during the fee season. The lake also offers excellent largemouth bass fishing and fair opportunities for landing sunfish, black crappie, and channel catfish. It’s also an excellent lake for chain pickerel, with October being the top month. There is a kids fishing area for kids 12 and under on a section of Wilson Creek just below the dam. Fishing is not allowed five days before the first Saturday in April in Douthat Lake or in Wilson Creek upstream of Douthat Lake and from the base of the dam to the Bath-Alleghany county line.

Special seasonal regulations apply at Douthat Lake. Everyone 16 and older must have a valid Virginia freshwater fishing license. In addition, a Virginia Trout license or daily fishing permit is required, depending on the season. There is a daily creel limit of six trout with a seven-inch minimum. One pole per person is allowed; separate stringers are required. Fishing hours are posted at the park.

In addition to the fishing license requirement, the following rules may apply depending on when and where the person will be fishing. Licenses and permits are available at the camp store, the park office and anywhere Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) licenses are sold.

• Between the first Saturday in April to June 15 and from Sept. 16 to Oct. 31, the lake and stretches of Wilson Creek are stocked twice a week, water conditions permitting. A Virginia freshwater fishing license and a daily permit are required. 
• When stocking is suspended between June 16 and September 15 only a Virginia Freshwater License is required.
• November 1 through the last weekend in March stocking continues on a random basis. A Virginia freshwater fishing license and a Virginia trout stamp are required. 
• Wilson Creek Lower from the Bath-Alleghany County line downstream south to the end of park property is a category “C” stocked trout waters from October 1 through June 15. It is not stocked during the fee season regularly.

Special fishing rules applying to children:

• Children less than 16 years old don't need a license. Virginia residents under 13 may fish the entire park without a permit if under the direct supervision of an adult who has a fishing license and daily fishing permit, if applicable. Children 13 through 15 during fee season are required to have a daily permit. The combined creel limit for all children and adult fishing under that permit is six trout.

Call 434-525-FISH to hear VDWR's recorded message listing trout stocking activity. DWR administers fishing licenses and regulations; call 804-367-1000 or visit its license page for more information and fees.

Boating: Boat rentals are available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

A boat launch ramp is available for guests with their own non-gasoline powered boat. No launching fee is charged, but boats must be moored in designated areas. Year-round boat storage is also available from the park for a fee. No gas-powered equipment is allowed on the lake.

ATTENTION: Clean plant debris, insects and mollusks (snails) from your boat and accessories before arriving at the park. Invasive species harm the lake by out-competing native species. Your vigilance ensures a quality fishing and recreational experience for you and future users of the park’s waters.

Douthat Lake is lowered for maintenance yearly in January and is raised back to normal depth by March 31. This impacts boating, fishing and the lake’s appearance. Fishing is allowed, but guests will be unable to fish from piers. Because the ramp at the north end of the lake is closed during this time, boating is not allowed.

HORSES

There's an equestrian campground at the northern end of the park. The campground offers access to the park's multi-use trail. There's also a horse trailer parking lot located at Flat Run trailhead. No horse rentals.

Park Trail Guide

Click here for the park's trail guide.

Click here for its general facilities guide.

Download (external link for use with Avenza App) the geo-referenced map

Download the geo-referenced map for this park

Nearby Attractions

Within an hour's drive of Douthat State Park you will find:

Alleghany County: Visit the Arts and Crafts Center, the Historic Stonewall Theater and the C&O Historical Society Archives in the Railroad Museum in downtown Clifton Forge. Further west is Virginia’s oldest standing covered bridge on Rt. 60, west of Covington. Travel Rt. 220, north of Covington and find Falling Springs, described by Thomas Jefferson as a "remarkable cascade . . . falling over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below."

Bath County: Visit the Garth Newel Music Center, the Warm Springs Baths and the Bath County Historical Society Museum. Bath County is the home of The Homestead, a National Historic Landmark covering 15,000 acres. Horseback riding, skeet shooting, golf and many other activities abound.

Lexington: The home of Natural Bridge, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Nearby is the Natural Bridge Zoo. Lexington is also home to the Virginia Military Institute, Washington and Lee University, Safari Park and the Virginia Horse Center. Civil War history abounds throughout this historic town.

Staunton, Waynesboro: Take a trip back in time and visit the Museum of American Frontier Culture. Also visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum and historic Mary Baldwin College. Country and gospel music fans won't want to miss the Statler Brothers Museum complex. Also be sure to visit the museum of renowned artist P. Buckley Moss. Take in a fresh, energetic approach to Shakespeare at the American Shakespeare Center, which has the only re-creation of Shakespeare's indoor theater.

Roanoke: While in Roanoke, visit the Science Museum, Center in the Square, the Planetarium, the Museum of Transportation, the Explore Park, Mill Mountain Zoo and the market area in downtown Roanoke. Also be sure to tour the Dixie Caverns.

White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.: The Greenbrier, nestled in 6,500 acres of the Alleghany Mountains, features golf, tennis, horseback riding, mineral baths and spacious accommodations.

Picnic Shelters

Douthat has three picnic areas with shelters, grills and restroom facilities. All picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis, except for the shelters, which must be reserved by calling the Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-PARK.

Douthat State Park Picnic Shelters

Three shelters are available for rent. Parking fees are not included in the shelter rental fee. Click here for park fees. Shelters can be rented from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before the reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

Camp Douthat Shelter 1: Large shelter can accommodate 100 people under the shelter and approximately 200 additional people around it. It has an electric hookup, and two fireplaces with both ends of the shelter closed in. Three horseshoe pits are available (bring your own horseshoes). Water spigot and hiking trails close by.

Camp Carson Shelter 2: Large shelter can accommodate 70 people under the shelter. A restroom is universally accessible via a ramp approximately 100 feet from the shelter. No electricity, but water is available. A horseshoe pit is available (bring your own horseshoes). Hiking trails and a playground nearby.

Camp Malone Shelter 3: Small shelter can accommodate 50 people under the shelter (other picnic tables are not close to the shelter area). It overlooks the dam area and lake. A children's play area is nearby. Access to restrooms. Water spigot close by. Two horseshoe pits are available (bring your own horseshoes). Hiking trails and a playground nearby. Electricity is available.

Meeting Space and Facilities

MEETING FACILITIES

Douthat's Alleghany Room, which is above the beach house, seats up to 65. The room is ideal for meetings in the fall, winter or spring.  Call the park office at 540-862-8100 for more information. Douthat's amphitheater and picnic shelters also make it the perfect wedding spot.

Wedding information

• Prices
• Occupancy limits
• Special-use permit application

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP

None

RESTAURANT

None

CAMP STORE and GRILL

The Lakeview Camp Store sells apparel, souvenirs, limited groceries, snacks, camping items, and fishing necessities including live bait.  Douthat is a DWR license agent for all fishing and hunting licenses.  Located inside of the Camp Store is the Lakeview Grill which offers a short-order menu with all items packed for carry out.  Store and Grill hours vary throughout the year.  Guest Wi-Fi is available in and around this facility.

PARK OFFICE

The Park Office is the “go-to” for check-in and general information about the park and surrounding areas. Also, guest Wi-Fi is available in and around this facility.

LAUNDRY

Ten minutes from the park on Rt. 60 toward Clifton Forge.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER

None. To help make the park's goal of establishing an environmental education center a reality, contact Douthat State Park Environmental Education Group.

AMPHITHEATER

Douthat's amphitheater is nestled on a point by Douthat Lake. Its bench seating accommodates up to 125 with room for blankets and lawn chairs. Electricity is available, and the facility may be rented for weddings, performances, etc., by calling the park office at 540-862-8100.

Other Info

ACCESSIBILITY:

• Park office and restrooms
• Creasey Lodge, which sleeps 18, has one accessible bedroom
• Beard's Lodge, which sleeps 16, is accessible
• Cabins 13 and 30 are ADA accessible.
• Camp Malone Picnic Shelter with paved pathway to shelter
• Camp Malone Picnic Area bathrooms with concrete pathway
• Playground equipment at Camp Malone Picnic Shelter
• One universally accessible fishing pier
• Wheelchair-accessible fishing pods on the shoreline at the boat launch area
• The camp store has a paved entranceway
• Wheelchair-accessible ramp down into the lake at the swimming area
• Amphitheater with a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the main stage
• Restroom facilities upstairs at the beach house
• Beaver Dam, White Oak and Whispering Pines campgrounds have accessible campsites with bathhouse accessibility.
• Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS

Programs are offered five days a week from mid-June through Labor Day and on weekends only in April, May, September and October. Offerings include guided hikes, canoe tours, children's programs, crafts, lectures and much more. Click here to view all parks' events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

Educational outreach program: During the school year, park staff members host environmental education programs. They also visit schools in the six counties surrounding the park. Please feel free to call (540) 862-8114 if you'd like to schedule a school visit. Outreach opportunities are also available to scout groups, 4-H groups, civic organizations, church groups, senior groups and others.

To help make the park's goal of establishing an environmental education center a reality or to learn about the park's friends group, visit the Douthat State Park Environmental Education Group's website.

CONCESSIONS

Douthat has a camp store grill with a limited menu. All orders are packed for takeaway.

HISTORY

Douthat was one of six state parks planned by the Commonwealth in the early 1930s. The Douthat Land Company, a consortium of Virginia businessmen, donated the initial 1,920 acres of the present-day park. The rest of the land was purchased with a portion of the $50,000 in funds allocated by the General Assembly in 1933 for parkland acquisition. The establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of the emergency Conservation Works by President Roosevelt in 1933 provided the means for the development of the parks. An estimated 600 men lived and worked at the three camps responsible for building Douthat's facilities. Between 1933 and 1942, these men cleared trails, built a dam and spillway, cabins, a restaurant, an information center, a superintendent's residence, a swimming beach, picnic areas and maintenance building, hinges, as well as hand-wrought iron hardware, light fixtures and door and shutter latches. The built and natural features of the park have remained virtually unchanged since construction. In 1986, the 50th anniversary of Douthat State Park and the Virginia State Park System, Douthat was recognized as a Nationally Registered Historic District. In 1998, Douthat won the Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association award for the best-operated and maintained dam for its Douthat Lake Dam. In 1999, Douthat received the Centennial Medallion from the American Society of Landscape Architects.

FRIENDS GROUP

The park enjoys the support of a nonprofit citizen group, Douthat State Park Environmental Education Group. Its mission is to raise funds and provide labor and material for activities that enhance the park's educational and recreational opportunities. To join or learn more about the group, click here.

MASTER PLAN

Master plans must be written for parks before they're built. The plans are updated at least once every 10 years thereafter. The plans cover the size, types, infrastructure and locations of facilities as well as the site's special features and resources. Three public meetings are held during the initial development of each plan. Click here for this park's master plan.