Posted Nov 18, 2016 | Updated Sept 18, 2017 

There is something about fall that gets me thinking about a cabin getaway to a Virginia State Park. Perhaps it is the idea that after a hot summer we can finally wear a sweater and sit outside on a crisp morning enjoying a cup of coffee.

I really like that idea.

It may be time to plan that fall cabin getaway

Enjoy a crackling fire at a Virginia State Park cabin with the one you love

View of the fall leaves reflecting over the lake outside your cabin

As a blogger and avid visitor to Virginia State Parks I have been privileged to see some of the most beautiful scenery and fantastic places at our parks. Allow me to share a few of my favorite cozy cabins at Virginia State Parks.

Cozy invokes the word small, so that term is relative, some think of comfort when they read cozy, as in super comfortable and snuggly. 

But what we do know and can share for sure is that Virginia State Parks has more than 300 climate controlled cabins available from the mountains in the Blue Ridge to the Chesapeake Bay.

Cabin prices at Virginia State Park fall under three distinct seasons for pricing, prime, mid and off season. The only variable you will find in the off season are peak weekends such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cabin fees. I think I will share three different styles of cabins I really like.

SHELLIE'S FAVORITE CABINS FOR A COZY GETAWAY

1. CABIN 8 AT FAIRY STONE STATE PARK, PATRICK COUNTY VA

Sleep in with the lake lapping

Right outside your door

Cabin 8 is a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom CCC built cabin at Fairy Stone State Park - Waterfront. This cabin sleeps four with one queen bed, one set of bunk beds. The kitchen is equipped with everything you will need to prepare and cook meals. A wood burning fireplace in the living room, a picnic table with grill outside there is plenty of privacy at this lakeside retreat.

All the cabins at Fairy Stone State Park received new furniture in 2016. If this cabin is not available there are 8 more CCC era log cabins at this park. Ask for cabins 1-9 if you prefer the hand-hewn log cabins. More about cabins at this park here.

2. CABIN 1 AT NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK, DUFFIELD VA

Participate in the rocking chair brigade

at a Virginia State Park cabin

Cabin 1 is a two bedroom cabin at Natural Tunnel State Park with a gas fireplace and views of the mountains from your porch.

Cabin 1 is a two-bedroom frame cabin. It can sleep up to six and has parking for two vehicles. The cabin has one queen bed and two sets of bunk beds (sleep four) in a second bedroom. Cabin 1 has a gas log fireplace, a full kitchen and linens are provided.

If this one is unavailable, there is also cabins 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7 that are two-bedroom frame cabins. If you need more space, cabin 3 and 10 are three bedroom cabins and 3 is accessible for disabled and can sleep up to eight. More about cabins at this park here.

3. CABIN 2 BROWN HOUSE AT CHIPPOKES STATE PARK, SURRY VA

Step back in time

Picture yourself here

The Brown House cabin 2 at Chippokes State Park is an historic 3 bedroom cottage located just a short bike ride from the James River. The cabins which are really Colonial style cottages at this park are all set a part in the fields that make up this plantation. Privacy is king when you stay at one of the four distinct cabins here.

This three-bedroom cabin sleeps eight. Double bed; two single beds; twin with a trundle; sleeper sofa. This is one of the oldest structures on the plantation and was built around 1850 as an overseer’s house. This two-story house has a master bedroom downstairs with a double bed, and two upstairs bedrooms - one with two twin beds, and one with a twin bed and a trundle. There's also a sofa bed in the living room.

These four cabins are restored tenant houses. A three-bedroom cabin, two two-bedroom cabins and a one-bedroom cabin all have heating and air conditioning. The only drawback it does not have working fireplaces due to the age of the building, but are outfitted with neat reproduction style furnishings. But it makes up for that as this cabin is almost like a bed and breakfast, you will see if you stay there. More about cabins at this park here.

SUPER COOL CABIN HINTS:

1.  If you want a discount on a Virginia State Park cabin, every Thursday and Friday you can save 25% off any available cabin for that coming weekend (and you can make it a long weekend). This discount also applies to available lodges. Just call the Reservation Center between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and mention the last minute discount 800-933-PARK.

                 Another suggestion: Just for fun, if you want to be really spontaneous, have your weekender bag packed, call and book your stay at a random park, maybe one not in your immediate vicinity or on your current radar. Go out and explore!

2.  Also if sign up for the Customer Loyalty Program you will earn points that may be applied to future overnight stays. You can earn 20 points for every dollar you spend on overnight lodging. You can redeem these points for discounted or free overnight stays. More about this loyalty program here.

BONUS SUPER COOL HINT TO BOOKMARK:

I gleaned this one from Nancy Heltman who said you can purchase a gift certificate starting the Monday after Thanksgiving for 25% off and use it at any Virginia State Park, yourself. So it a double bonus if applied toward a last minute cabin discount, that would equal a 50% savings. So put this in your outlook reminder for that week. 

Click here to learn more about cabins at Virginia State Parks, or call a Reservation Counsellor at 800-933-PARK.

Posted Nov 18, 2016 | Updated Sept 18, 2017