Douthat State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Virginia's Douthat State Park encompasses 4,545 acres of woods, rivers and stunning mountain landscapes. This park was founded in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Traditionally a family state park, this recreational area offers a 50-acre lake, boat rentals, miles of stream fishing and a swimming beach.
Additionally, you'll find more than 43 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails as well as ample picnicking options and playgrounds. Along with tent and RV camping, you can rent one of the luxurious 32 cabins or lodges. Those staying at the park will have easy access to local attractions such as the Historic Stonewall Theater in Allegheny County and the wondrous Natural Bridge in Lexington.
Nearby Cities:
Covington, VA
Clifton Forge, VA
Lewisburg, WV
Lexington, VA
Spring 33-74 F
Summer 60-85 F
Fall 34-78 F
Winter 25-47 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Douthat State Park
Campground Accommodations
Whispering Pines/Lakeside/Beaver Dam/White Oak Campgrounds
Water hookup: Yes, seasonally
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 50 feet
Other amenities: Dump station, showers, flush toilets, and nearby playground
Whispering Pines & White Oak Campgrounds
If you want splendid views of Lake Douthat and easy trail access, then stay on-site at Douthat State Park. There are 54 RV sites spread over two campgrounds, Whispering Pines and White Oak, that offer electric and water hookups. Visitors with horses can stay at the Beaver Dam campgrounds north of the park, which have 14 RV sites and horse stalls. Rates are $40 per night ($35 for Virginia residents), plus $10 for stall rentals. Pro tip : During the summer, camping sites go fast, so reserve your RV spot at least 30 days in advance.
Water hookup: Yes (April to October only)
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: No
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Full-service bathhouses, playground, fire pits, grills, picnic tables, concessions, camp store, restaurant, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, dumping station, equipment rentals
The Buckhorn Country Store and Campground
About 2 miles from Douthat State Park, you’ll find Buckhorne Country Store and Campground. Offering peaceful mountain camping, this site has about 20 RV campsites, plus a store with a full-service menu, ice cream, fishing bait, and other supplies. Relax after a long day in the mountains by ordering an ice cream cone from the store or casting a line in the Wilson Creek. Rates are $35 per night.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wifi: Yes
Pet friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Bathhouses, free cable, country store, playground, recreational field, picnic tables, fire pits, fishing, swimming, dumping station
What to Do at
Douthat State Park
Visitors often stop by Douthat State Park during the warm season to enjoy the many trails boasting exceptional views of the landscape and local wildlife. You can also swim, fish or boat in the beautiful 50-acre lake that's regularly stocked with trout during the season. While there are no horse rentals, equestrian enthusiasts are sure to love the one horse-friendly campground, multi-use trails and horse trailer parking lot.
Douthat State Park hosts regular programs during the week between mid-June and Labor Day that include crafts, lectures, ranger-led hikes and canoe tours. Concerning accessibility, there's one accessible fishing pier, wheelchair-accessible fishing pods and ramps at some of the picnic areas and amphitheater.
Inside Douthat State Park
With breathtaking mountain scenery, miles of multi-use trails, and a 50-acre lake with sandy beachfront and fishing piers, Douthat State Park is a nature lover’s playground. Mountain biking is an especially popular activity here but you’ll also find hikers, backpackers, and equestrians throughout the park’s 26 trails.
From April to October, the park offers nature programs and other events including guided hikes, canoe tours, arts and crafts, and festivals. Kids will enjoy more youth-oriented programs where they can identify animal tracks, make tie-dyed shirts, or seek out salamanders.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to the snack bar at the beachfront or visit the Douthat Lakeview Restaurant to refuel and relax with a tasty snack or delicious meal in full view of Lake Douthat.
Here are more details on the park’s most popular activities:
Mountain biking - Nearly all of the park’s 26 trails are open to biking. Steep elevations, fast downhills, and switchbacks combined with mountain overlooks, dense forests, and shallow creeks make for a fun, exciting way to experience the park’s natural wonders.
Hiking - There are over 40 miles of hiking trails of ranging length and difficulty, allowing you to choose your own adventure. Stroll around the lakefront, hike to a secluded waterfall in the woods, or climb into the mountains for a bird’s eye view of the park.
Swimming and Boating - Go for a swim in the cool, clear waters of Douthat Lake or play in the sand on the beachfront. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty and rentals are available for paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and jon boats.
Fishing - For a small fee, spend an afternoon fishing at Douthat Lake, which is well stocked with rainbow, trout, largemouth bass, sunfish, channel catfish, and more. You must have a valid Virginia fishing license to fish.
Fishing
Douthat Lake offers excellent largemouth bass fishing and is stocked frequently with brown, rainbow and brook trout. You'll also find channel catfish, sunfish and black crappie. Don't forget to check out the kid-friendly fishing area below the dam on Wilson Creek. Generally, all anglers over the age of 16 must have at least a freshwater fishing license. Depending on the season, you may also need a Virginia Trout permit. Fishing hours are subject to change and are posted at the park.
Geocaching
One of the easiest and most popular geocaches at this Virginia state park is located near the amphitheater. It's a medium cache in a clear container that includes a log book and collector's card. Take the trail to the amphitheater, passing by a campfire ring as well as several stairs and a bridge. You'll find this geocache under the stage.
Nature Watching
The Allegheny Mountains are home to countless mammals like red foxes, cottontail rabbits, weasels, field mice, raccoons, whitetail deer and groundhogs. The most commonly spotted birds are osprey, hermit thrushes, crows, owls, hawks and the occasional eagle. Black bears, coyotes, beavers and minks also roam the area, but they're not seen as often.
Stargazing
Douthat State Park has recently applied to be considered an International Dark Sky Park. This park has taken steps to cut back light pollution and offer unobstructed views of the nighttime sky. Feel free to set up your telescope on the banks of the river or enjoy the stunning stars and constellations from your campsite.
Flora and Fauna
The majority of the park consists almost entirely of second- or third-growth hardwood forests. As you hike the trails, you'll likely spot red maple, black cherry, yellow birch and pine trees. The region also has more than 20 known species of reptiles and 54 species of vertebrates like grub worms, cave crayfish and leeches that live in and around the rivers.
Hiking
Hikers have access to over 40 miles of thickly wooded trails. There are also six miles of bridle trails for equestrians. Consider checking out the difficult, 4.2-mile Stony Run trail or the easy 2.52-mile Flat Run path. Several miles of the Alleghany Highlands Multi-Use, Equestrian State Trail also runs through the park.
Boating
You can rent paddleboats, paddleboards, hydro bikes and rowboats seasonally. No gas-powered boats or watercraft are permitted on the water. There's a free, public boat launch and a designated mooring area. Boat storage is also available all year long for a fee.
Swimming
The park's sandy swimming beach is open between May and October. Visitors are not allowed to use the diving dock, and all swimming is unsupervised and at your own risk. Swimming is not allowed anywhere else at the park. The beach house offers free Wi-Fi, snacks and equipment.
Biking
While many of the hiking trails are open to mountain bikers, please remember that hikers always have the right-of-way. Bikers are permitted on all trails except Buck Lick, Heron Run, Mountain Side and YCC. Many of the epic biking paths here are rated moderate to difficult, promising hours of thrilling summer adventure.
How to Get to
Douthat State Park
From Virginia's I-64, you'll take Exit 27 near Clifton Forge. Then, travel north on State Route 629 for about two miles to find the park's entrance sign. Douthat State Park is about three hours from Richmond and five hours from Virginia Beach.
Entering Douthat State Park
Douthat State Park charges $7 for admission and parking. There are additional fees for horse trailers and high-occupancy vehicles and buses. These fees are occasionally waived during special holidays like January 1st, Earth Day and National Public Lands Day.
Douthat State Park Daily Pass : $7.0
Visitors can’t stop raving about Douthat State Park and we hope you feel the same! Whatever your adventure, take us along for the ride and send us your stories and photos by tagging us on social media or emailing us at [email protected]. We’d love to feature you on our blog or social media. Happy (RV) camping!
Frequently Asked Questions About Douthat State Park
The best time to visit for swimming and boating is during the summer months. Many also stop by in the spring to see the fields of wildflowers and in the fall to watch the leaves change color.
The beautiful forests protect a variety of wildlife like skunks, raccoons, opossums, whitetail deer, flying squirrels, weasels and foxes. You may also see many gorgeous songbirds like mourning warblers, hermit thrushes and winter wrens.
There are a total of 87 campsites that all come with gravel pads and at least 30-amp electrical hookups. None of these sites have sewer hookups, and water is only available at individual campsites during the warm season.
Douthat State Park doesn't require campground reservations. All overnight site rentals come with a nonrefundable $5 fee whether you walk in or reserve ahead of time. A site with water and electricity costs $35 for Virginia residents and $40 for out-of-state visitors.
All of the cabins and campsites are pet-friendly. Always remember to clean up after your pet and keep them under control. While they're allowed on the trails, pets are not permitted on the swimming beach.