"Dogs allowed to stay in cabins with well behaved Parents!"

Ready to hit the road to go to my favorite state park!

My daughters are now back in school and I turned around to see our dog laying there forlorn. Earlier today she went outside and rolled in "something" and came back wagging her tail. I call it her "yearly-back-to-school-rebellion." 

One thing that makes her happy is our annual vacation at a Virginia State Park. Although, we have learned a long time ago that a once per year vacation is never enough, so we try to get away more often when we can throughout the year. A long weekend or even midweek if we can swing it, off season can be just as much fun at Virginia State Parks!

We have a goal as a family, as many of the readers of this blog and Facebook friends do, to visit each and every one of the 35 Virginia State Parks (click here for a map of all 35).  We began this journey before we bought the Virginia State Parks Monopoly game, and now we are more determined than ever to see it to the finish!  Of course on occasion we visit the same park numerous times, just because we really really love it there!  

So all that to say, you can bring your dog to a Virginia State Park cabin! Yes, there is a daily fee but I guarantee it is less than locking them up at the kennel for the time you are away ($10 per night per pet plus tax). Your dog, if anything like our dog, is the true outdoorsman of the family. She will be the first one ready to hike, bike, paddle, chase squirrels, chase birds, chase deer, chase chipmunks, chase kids...you get the idea. She has an absolute blast at Virginia State Parks.

Dogs love Virginia State Parks too!

Family fun includes the family dog

Fun on the shore around Buggs Island Lake at Occoneechee State Park

Cleaning up after your pet is required at Virginia State Parks

Virginia State Parks provide comfortable and economical overnight accommodations, with 260 climate-controlled cabins and more than 1,700 campsites, ranging from primitive sites to developed sites with electric and water hookups. Many cabins are available year round. While most campgrounds are open from March 1 through the end of the first week of December, primitive campsites are available year-round. Please click here for cabin rental rates. Click here to check on availability and to reserve online or call 800-933-7275 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here to view a PDF of rates for cabins and fees, in season/dates.

Click here to search by amenities and here for more info on cabins with floor plans and general information.

Click here for photos of Virginia State Park cabins, which vary greatly from park to park. Note that not all of the cabins pictured on Flickr may be rented. Many are historical features.

*Note dogs must remain on leash while visiting the parks, our dog is on a leash at all times while on state park property, even while kayaking. (The first image was leaving home and going to our favorite VA State Park)