Douthat State Park is a National Register of Historic Places gem built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Nestled in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains, this 4,545-acre park offers 32 rustic CCC cabins, a 50-acre trout-stocked lake, over 40 miles of trails for hiking and premier mountain biking, and timeless mountain scenery that has drawn visitors for nearly a century.
🚨 2026 Renovation Alerts!
- ALL CABINS: Under renovation until October 2026!
- Campground: Reopens May 1, 2026 (dates subject to change)
- Douthat Lodge area: Closed to vehicles (pedestrian access OK)
CCC Historic District
| Historic Significance | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Status | National Register of Historic Places |
| 📅 Built | 1930s by CCC |
| 🏠 Structures | 32 cabins + 3 lodges |
| 🎨 Design Influence | Model for national park architecture |
Cabins & Lodges
| Lodging Type | Details |
|---|---|
| 🏠 Total Cabins | 32 |
| 🏡 Lodges | 3 |
| 📏 Sizes | Efficiency to 3-bedroom |
| 🪵 Style | Rustic CCC construction |
| 🐕 Pets | Pet-friendly! |
| ⚠️ 2026 Status | RENOVATING until October 2026 |
Camping – 87 Sites
| Campground | Sites | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 🌲 White Oak | 31 | Electric & water |
| 🌲 Whispering Pines | 23 | Electric & water, year-round |
| 🌊 Lakeside | Varies | Lake views |
| 🐴 Beaver Dam | Varies | Equestrian |
⚠️ Campground reopens May 1, 2026! Amenities: flush toilets, hot showers, dump station. No generators allowed.
Trout Fishing – 50-Acre Lake
| Fishing Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 🎣 Lake Size | 50 acres |
| 🐟 Species | Rainbow, brown, brook trout |
| 📅 Fee Season | 1st Sat April – Jun 15, Sep 15 – Oct 31 |
| 🔄 Stocking | Twice weekly during season |
| 👧 Kids Area | Wilson Creek (below dam) |
| 📜 License | VA freshwater + daily permit |
40+ Miles of Trails
| Trail Info | Details |
|---|---|
| 📏 Total Distance | 40+ miles |
| 🚴 Mountain Biking | Premier East Coast destination! |
| 🐴 Bridle Trails | 6 miles |
| ⚡ Difficulty | Easy to challenging |
| 🗺️ Maps | Available at park office |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Douthat SP — 4,493 acres in the Allegheny Mountains — is one of Virginia’s original six state parks (1936). The park’s CCC-era structures are on the National Register of Historic Places. Douthat Lake, mountain streams, and hemlock gorges support black bears, timber rattlesnakes, and brook trout. Wild turkeys strut the ridges.
Nearby Attractions
Clifton Forge — adjacent. Hot Springs — 20 miles north — has The Homestead resort. Warm Springs — 25 miles north. Goshen Pass — 15 miles east.
Are the cabins available in 2026?
All 32 cabins and 3 lodges are undergoing major renovations expected to be completed by October 2026. During this time, cabin reservations are not available. Check the official website for reopening updates and to be notified when reservations resume.
When does the campground open in 2026?
The campground is expected to reopen on May 1, 2026, though dates are subject to change. The Whispering Pines campground typically offers year-round camping. Check current conditions before planning your trip.
Why is Douthat famous for mountain biking?
Douthat is considered a premier mountain biking destination on the East Coast. The park’s 70-year-old CCC-built trails were restored to their original condition in 2009, offering over 40 miles of varying difficulty. The historic trail construction provides unique riding opportunities found nowhere else.
When is trout fishing season?
The fee fishing season runs from the first Saturday in April through June 15, and again from September 15 through October 31. During this time, the 50-acre lake is stocked twice weekly with rainbow, brown, and brook trout. A VA fishing license and daily permit are required. Outside fee season, the lake is still stocked occasionally.
Why is Douthat on the National Register?
Douthat State Park is on the National Register of Historic Places because its CCC-built structures from the 1930s represent an influential design style that became a model for national park architecture. The rustic cabins, lodges, and infrastructure showcase Depression-era craftsmanship at its finest.
🏔️ A CCC Masterpiece in the Alleghenies
Explore 40+ miles of trails, fish a stocked mountain lake, and experience historic architecture built to last a century. Visit the official Douthat State Park website for 2026 renovation updates and camping reservations.
Explore More Virginia State Parks
Douthat State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Virginia. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Virginia guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Falling Spring Falls State Park (a short drive away) and Green Pastures Recreation Area (a short drive away).
⛺ Campground & Cabins at Douthat State Park
| Campsites | 87 sites — Lakeside: 19 EW sites, 30/50-amp, gravel pads, RV up to 40ft. Beaver Dam: 14 EW sites (4 pull-through), 30/50-amp, RV up to 40ft. White Oak: 31 sites, 30-amp only, RV up to 40ft (low-water bridge can flood). Whispering Pines: 23 sites, 30/50-amp, RV up to 50ft. Generators prohibited; 2 vehicles/site max. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | 35 units total: 32 standard cabins (heat/AC, full kitchen, bath, wood fireplace w/ 1 firewood bundle, grill, fire pit) + 3 lodges (Douthat lodge 12 guests, renovated 2025, washer/dryer, phone; Creasey lodge 18 guests, deck, wifi, washer/dryer; Beard's Mountain lodge 16 guests, ADA, gas fireplace, washer/dryer). NOT provided in cabins: linens/towels, dishwasher, phone, TV, washer/dryer, cell service. |
| Pets | Cabins and campgrounds pet-friendly; fee charged per pet per night for cabin stays (amount not stated); campground pet fee not specified |
| Reservations | 1-800-933-PARK; reservevaparks.com; [email protected] |
| Special sites | Equestrian: 13 covered stalls (12x12ft) at Beaver Dam campground, guests provide hay/water bucket, 1 horse/stall, at least one person must stay overnight for duration. |
| Season notes | Whispering Pines open year-round; water unavailable at individual sites Nov-March (freezing). Cabin min stays: 6 nights Memorial Day-Labor Day, 4 nights 3 months prior, 2 nights rest of year. |
Source: dcr.virginia.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Douthat State Park
Park policy: Douthat's official park page states that all of its rental cabins are pet-friendly, so you do not have to hunt for a specific pet-designated unit, and that its campgrounds are pet-friendly as well. Virginia adds $20 per pet, per night on top of the cabin rate; bringing a pet to a campsite costs nothing extra.
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, every cabin at Douthat is pet-friendly and the campgrounds take pets too
- Leash rule statewide rule
- 6 ft maximum leash (or confinement) required, with pet under supervision at all times
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- State regulations prohibit pets on public swimming beaches and at designated swimming areas
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pet-friendly cabin stays available for a $20 per pet per night fee; yurts do not allow pets; pets prohibited in public facilities
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No charge for pets in campgrounds; $20 per pet per night in cabins
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- At False Cape, pets may not pass through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge
- Dogs & wildlife
- With bears and venomous snakes verified in the park, keep dogs leashed and on the trail at all times.
Are dogs allowed at Douthat State Park?
Yes, every cabin at Douthat is pet-friendly and the campgrounds take pets too.
Beyond that, Virginia’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via dcr.virginia.gov. More: Virginia state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Douthat State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Watch out for: Virginia State Parks states plainly that Douthat has bears and asks visitors to follow its Bear Aware guidelines to avoid dangerous interactions — never approach or feed bears and keep food secured. The park is also home to timber rattlesnakes and copperheads in addition to non-venomous snakes; stay on trails and watch where you walk. Ticks and other insects can range from irritating to dangerous, so use a strong repellent and reduce exposed skin.
Are there bears at Douthat State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via dcr.virginia.gov.
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