If you're looking for group lodging, a place big enough to host a family reunion, an informal business retreat, church retreat or any group get-together Virginia State Parks can help. We've got lodges and know how to use them.

Gather the friends and family to enjoy time together in the great outdoors at a park lodge

Hungry Mother State Park lodge accommodates 15. Situated on a private location high above the lake.

LET'S TALK LODGES
This cabin Q & A will focus on family and group lodging specifically, if you have any further questions please contact the customer service center directly at 800-933-PARK.

Q. Can we hold a family reunion at a Virginia State Park?

A. Yes, we would love to have you spend a few nights with us in one of our lodges.

Q. Which parks offer group lodging?

A. Visit each website below to see how many lodges are available at each park:

• Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin
• Hungry Mother State Park, Marion
• Bear Creek Lake State Park, Cumberland
• James River State Park, Gladstone
• Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster
• Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles
• Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield
• Douthat State Park, Millboro
• Shenandoah River State Park, Bentonville
• Fairy Stone State Park, Stuart
• Occoneechee State Park, Clarksville
• Lake Anna State Park, Spotsylvania 
• Twin Lakes State Park, Green Bay
• Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield

Q. Which parks have groupings of lodges to accommodate everyone in one place?

A. We have three parks that we can recommend for lodges clustered together, those are Claytor Lake, Kiptopeke and Occoneechee.

Claytor Lake State Park

Claytor Lake State Park has a peninsula just for lodges, all waterfront and dock access

Lodges offer privacy and space to play outside

If you want a few lodges together I think Claytor Lake State Park is fantastic. The lodges are separate from the main cabin area, and there are three lodges, plus cabin 13 which is a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom cabin. All of these lodges are waterfront and have access to a dock for fishing and boat tie-ups. Plus they are just a short walk or bike ride to the swimming beach.

Lodges 14, 15 and 16: are six-bedroom, three-bathroom, offer water views and are universally accessible. Maximum occupancy: 16. 

Kiptopeke State Park

Five lodges at Kiptopeke State Park make it an ideal location for group lodging

Lodges offer plenty of inside and outside space for groups to enjoy

Kiptopeke State Park also has a loop of lodges. Each lodge has six bedrooms, three full baths, two queen size beds in two bedrooms, two single beds in two bedrooms and two sets of bunk beds in two bedrooms (each room sleeps four); no bed rentals. Learn more about rental requirements and seasons for the lodges at Kiptopeke.

There are hiking trails in and around the lodges, plus you are on a loop which is fun for riding bikes.

I would look at each park's website under lodging, and/or ask a reservation counselor which would meet your group's needs if you are willing to travel to any park across the state.

Large kitchens with everything you will need to prepare meals for your group (minus the dishwasher)

Occoneechee State Park

Wintertime is a great time for a group getaway like this waterfront lodge 8 at Occoneechee State Park

A waterfront location at Occoneechee State Park makes these lodges fun for those who have boats, kayaks and water gear. There is no beach at this state park, but there is a new Splash Spray Ground if you have little ones. If you plan to enjoy water recreation like skiing, kayaking and fishing, this really is the perfect park for your group. You can tie up your kayaks right out front, off the shoreline here for easy access. 

Occoneechee has two 6-bedroom lodges and also has two-bedroom and a couple of three-bedroom cabins nearby. So you can rent the lodges and a couple of cabins if you have anyone in your group who requests private lodging away from the group, i.e. a guest speaker for your group, or a family member who prefers their own place that is quieter.

Lodges have ample gathering space like the living room with either gas or a real log fireplace

Douthat State Park has 3 lodges (more to follow below) but they are scattered through the park. James River State Park has two lodges. While they are not side by side, it is a quick walk between them.  

Q. How many people can a lodge accommodate?

A. The short answer: That depends. The newer lodges can accommodate 16, and typically offer 6 bedrooms, see the example below from Douthat State Park. Douthat State Park has 5 and 6-bedroom lodges (three).

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; queen, queen, two twins, two twins, two bunk beds, two bunk beds.

• Maximum six cars. Additional parking is strictly limited and may not be available. Additional cars pay the daily parking fee.
• Three bathrooms. One bath is universally accessible and is between master bedrooms. The other two baths are shared among the remaining four bedrooms.
  • Two bedrooms have queen size beds.
  • Two bedrooms have two single beds each.
  • Two bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds (four people per room).
• Universally accessible.
• No smoking.
• Kitchen and living area.
• TV-DVD unit: no cable, satellite or broadcast reception.
• 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.
• Linens are not provided. You must bring your own
• Has a front and back porch.
• Has a washer and dryer.

Privacy with views of the mountains from Douthat Lodge

Q. What about CCC-built lodges?

A. Douthat State Park is one of the CCC-built lodges, and it is up on the side of a mountain for ultimate privacy and spectacular views. It is not waterfront, it is not walkable for the most part, to the lake, but is close to hiking and mountain biking trails. It is one of the original lodges in our state parks, and a family favorite to many. It accommodates 15 and has 6 bedrooms. Ask the Customer Service Counselor to recommend CCC-built lodges when you call 800-933-PARK.

Another favorite lodge at Douthat, that is not CCC built but is an older style with a true cabin woodsy feel is Creasey Lodge with its proximity to fishing, picnic areas and the lake. Creasey Lodge is a five-bedroom, fully universally accessible lodge. This one-story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office. It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds, two sets of bunk beds. It has a fireplace and three bathrooms.

Hungry Mother State Park has a beautifully renovated CCC lodge. The picture with Rhododendron in bloom at the top of this article is the exterior. 

A lovingly restored beautiful lodge at Hungry Mother State Park

Q. Do you offer Meeting space? 

Twin Lakes State Park offers a full conference center facility. With a 6-bedroom lodge and two 3-bedroom cabins to supplement the seven 2-bedroom cabins and 4-bedroom small lodge, this facility will be able to sleep enough visitors to take advantage of the meeting space available. This is a popular wedding venue/destination in central Virginia.

Read more about conference options on the links below:

1. Hungry Mother State Park Hemlock Haven Conference Center
2. Natural Tunnel State Park Cove Ridge Center 
3. Claytor Lake State Park Water's Edge Marina Meeting Facility
4. Bear Creek Lake State Park Bear Creek Meeting Hall 
5. Douthat State Park Alleghany Room
6. Fairy Stone State Park Fayerdale Hall Conference Center
7. Twin Lakes State Park Cedar Crest Conference Center

Q. What group activities can we do?

A. Inquire at the park of your choice. They may be willing to develop a park-led activity just for your group, an example of some group activities may be archery at Twin Lakes State Park, or a group canoe adventure to explore the lake. Events and activities may be weather restricted.

Click here to see our events database, and if you see something that catches your eye for your group, please inquire with the park interpreter staff. We would love to have you get outside and learn and explore the park as a group.

Q. Can we do a group volunteering activity?

A. Absolutely, we'd love that. Ask at the park of your choice, they would be pleased as pie to have you volunteer as a group at the park.

Creasey Lodge at Douthat can accommodate your family and friends

View of one of the master bedrooms at Creasey Lodge

Q. Can we add on single cabins or groups of cabins as well?

A. We encourage you to do this, in fact, if a lodge experience is not your cup of tea, feel free to rent a group of cabins for each family or couple. We have many visitors who prefer to do this with special diets and other needs. 

Q. Is there a discount for groups?

A. There is no discount, but if you consider an off-season group getaway you will save quite a bit compared to peak season. See the lodge rates here on the fee chart. If you rent 7 nights, the price is equal to 6, so it is like getting the seventh night free.

Doing the math: Off-season stays for 16 people at $264 per night equals just $16.50 per person per night. Peak season at $352 per night equals $22 per person. Plus you get that 7th night free.

We are also willing to make special payment arrangements with groups if you contact us in advance. The Customer Service Center has someone who will work directly with the group organizer to make the reservation process go smoothly.

Q. What is the minimum stay to rent a lodge?

A. Due to the cleaning before and after guests in the lodges, they have required stay periods, in summer they are rentable by the week only, if done in advance. If off-season a 2-night stay is required, at the minimum. If under 30 days and the lodge is available you may reserve it for under a week. Since most groups need plenty of time to plan time off work and to coordinate the getaway, most are filled up in advance, so the sooner you can book it the better.

Virginia State Parks are pet friendly, and everyone appreciates good pet stewardship

Q. Are dogs allowed in the lodges?

A. Yes the lodges are pet-friendly. Now, this is that time when I mentioned "other needs" for guests who may prefer to reserve their own cabin. Not every party appreciates pets in the cabins, especially those with allergies, so please ensure everyone is willing to have a dog or two in the lodge with you. There is a nightly fee of $10 per pet to stay in cabins and lodges. This fee is charged to help offset the additional cleaning required. 

Q: What comes with the lodge, and what will we need to bring?

The kitchens offer a refrigerator, electric stove, coffee maker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, and manual can opener. There is no phone, some lodges have a TV and WIFI, and there is a washer and dryer (Kiptopeke does not have washers and dryers due to water usage limitations).  I always recommend bringing a cheese grater, wine glasses and odds and ends you may need like plastic storage containers for leftovers. The main lodge at Douthat and the Hungry Mother lodge have dishwashers. 

Linens are not provided. You will need to bring sheets, pillowcases, blankets, a comforter, towels, washcloths and dish towels. You would also bring food, dish detergent, extra dish towels, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, extra soap and shampoo,  books, board games or cards.

There is a fireplace with gas logs or wood burning depending on the lodge (there will be one complimentary bundle of firewood and you can purchase more at the park office). Heat-pumps (heating and AC). There is one porch on the front with rockers and a second porch on the back of the lodge, usually with a gas grill overlooking the picnic table in the outside area. If no gas grill, be sure to bring charcoal for the grill.

Q. Do you have photos of specific lodges I can see?

A. No, not for specific lodges, but we do have this sampling of photos featuring various lodges' exteriors and interiors at Virginia State Parks. If you require a specific lodge, you can ask us and we will do our best to see if we can find some for you.

Q. Can renting a lodge count toward the new customer loyalty program? Can we divide the points?

A. Yes, we hope you will use the money spent on renting the lodge toward more stays using our customer loyalty program. We cannot divide the points, unfortunately, so whoever reserves the lodge will receive the points. Learn more about the customer loyalty program.

Q. What is the cancellation policy for lodges/groups?

A. Our reservation and cancellation policies can be found here. Or alternately, contact the Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-PARK (7275) Sunday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; or Friday and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.  for a complete description of the refund policy as well as for specific cancellation and transfer policies. 

FIND YOUR PARK

See part 1 of this FAQs series here about cabins.