Posted October 16, 2018  |  Updated August 25, 2020

If you are like many of us then you check out online reviews before spending your hard-earned money for a weekend getaway, or booking your summer or fall vacation.

You want to have as much information as possible to make the best educated decision on which park and which cabin to reserve. This is important stuff.

We have over 300+ cabins to choose from at Virginia State Parks.

Image source: Jon Limtiaco @exposurephoto

Family togetherness in a Douthat State Park cabin.

Image source: Jon Limtiaco @exposurephoto

REVIEWS

Sometimes the reviews can enlighten you and sometimes just make you chuckle. One review said there was nothing to do at this particular Virginia State Park, as there was no TV, no Internet and not even a dishwasher in the cabin. So just remember to take some of them with a grain of salt. Most park visitors go to a park to unplug and recharge their personal batteries. They want to spend quality time with friends and family.

I saw this review and wondered if there are questions that are frequently asked by Park'rs when we call the Reservation Center. Some that we can discuss here.

So we asked our state park fans and followers on Facebook "Before you rent a cabin at a state park, what questions do you ask the Reservation Center?" Here is a sampling of their questions, and some of our answers:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PETS

"Are dogs allowed?"

Dogs are allowed in all of our cabin, lodges, camping cabins and camping lodges. At this time, they are not allowed in yurts but we are working on "hardening" the interior frame to make that possible.

The structure inside the yurts is lattice and a dog chewing or running into it could damage the structure significantly.

"Are all the cabins pet friendly?"

Yes, ALL our cabins, lodges, camping cabins and camping lodges allow pets.

Also, there is no charge to bring your dog for the day to a park (beyond what you pay to come). A Service Animal - defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act - does not pay any fees and can go in visitor centers, restrooms and even beaches but otherwise needs to follow the other rules like the leash law.

All of our cabins, lodges, camping cabins and camping lodges allow dogs. We are working on stabilizing our yurts so we can allow them there but for now we do not.

Pets are allowed to stay with their family in a cabin for a nightly fee.

BEDS

"I always want to know the size and configuration of the beds so I know if it will accommodate my group."

"Do they have bathrooms?"

Every cabin has a fully functional bathroom/shower. Most of the three-bedroom cabins have two bathrooms. Lodges typically have three bathrooms. The online reservation system will tell you how many guests it can accommodate but the very best and detailed information can be found on the park's individual web page in the cabin section. When you call the Reservation Counselor has that information handy as well.

One other important reminder is that maximum occupancy means how many people (including children) are allowed in the cabin. This does not mean we have beds for all of them. You may need to bring an air mattress to supplement what we provided. We always list exactly what beds we have. When we list a "sleeps" number that assumes two people in a queen-sized bed and folks on top bunks so please read carefully.

Some parks have different bed arrangements for cabins that are the same size. This often happens in our CCC-era cabins because the CCC used a variety of floor plans when they built the cabins.

Two-bedroom cabins most often have one queen bed room and two sets of bunk-beds

Typical cinder block cabin bathroom with shower at First Landing State Park

WHAT TO BRING

"Should bring our own sheets, towels, toilet paper, etc. or if it was provided" "Are there extra blankets? Stayed in a cabin at Hungry Mother State Park last January. Great cabins but older and drafty. Would be nice to have some warm extra blankets for winter guests."

Due to COVID-19 linens are no longer provided. Please bring your own towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, dish towels etc. 

We recommend you bring extra blankets, throws, or whatever you feel is needed to make comfortable. You can use the fireplace or woodstove (Smith Mountain Lake State Park) in most of our cabins.

"I have stayed in many state parks and the frying pans were all horrible. They are the cleanest cabins I have ever stated in however. Love them. Have one reserved for September."

The frying pan that comes with the pots and pans set (Revereware) holds up pretty well but you are never going to be able to have a non-stick experience with them. So we added the non-stick one and try to replace them when they get bad. If you bring the condition of a bad one to the park's attention they should be able to replace it for you. Our pots, pans, dishes, utensils and glassware are the basics.

So, if you are planning something special you might want to bring your specialty items (like a box grater or wine glasses). 

We offer a kitchen stocked with basic pots, pans, dishes, utensils and glassware.

You just need to bring the food and bev.

If you want, you can bring wine glasses for the adults or plastic cups for the kids.

Park cabin kitchens each may be different but have everything you need to make delicious meals.

"It would be nice to have more free firewood like the WVA parks have...."

You always receive the first bundle of firewood for free. Usually with a fire starter and sometimes matches.

Unfortunately, we don't have a free source of firewood. Even parks that have downed trees need the wood split and packaged. Few parks would ever have enough wood available in the park so we have to buy and resell. We also have to buy wood certified to be local or properly handled so no insects are transported.

 Volunteer Friends Group cut firewood for visitors to buy at Pocahontas State Park 
as a fundraiser to support the park.

PORCH

"It's always good to know if the porch is screened in, was very thankful at Douthat to have one."

The Park’s web page will say which do. Our 50-60s era cabins that were originally cinder block and have been since wood sided, generally have a screened porch (but not always). 

TYPE OF CABIN

"We love the historic rustic cabins built by the CCC so we ask if it is a CCC cabin!"

This is a great question to ask if you can't determine this from the park's webpage. Many prefer one style over another.

There are over 300+ cabins at Virginia State Parks for you to choose from, if you have a question by all means ask the Reservation Center 800-933-7275 for clarification. Here is a sampling of our cabins:

LOCATION

"I would ask if there is planned construction going on at the park? We love visiting the park cabins and like that improvements are being made, but don't want to hear construction noises while trying to be in nature on a vacation."

Yes, good question to ask when you call and answer is dependent on the park and cabin location. Unless it is an emergency situation, we will notify guests with reservations when construction may impact their visit.

"I have a very hard time with the maps on the mobile app. I wish they were a little clear or just have photos of the actual cabin we request. It feels like Russian roulette".

All of the best information we have and details are on our official web page as opposed to the reservation site. You should shop on the main page before heading to book for best results. We are working to have pictures of every cabin inside and out. 

We have a good sampling of them so if you really want to know, reach out to nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov and we will share what we have. 

CHECK OUT TIME

"Can check out be at 11 instead of 10!"

We recently had to change check in to 4 p.m. (it used to be 3) because we could not get cabins cleaned between 10 and 3 so there is no way to make check out later and still have cabins ready. Just think that what we have are small houses to clean.

It is always helpful to try to leave the cabin as you found it.

MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENTS

"Can I rent a cabin at this park for less than a week at a time?"

Our current policy is a week stay between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekend but within 30 days we relax that to the two-night minimum. The rest of the year it is a two-night minimum. 

LAST MINUTE CABIN DISCOUNT

"It doesn't hurt to check the calendar, we grabbed a last minute 2-night stay at James River. Booked it Tues afternoon, stayed last night and tonight."

Actually, we do the LAST-MINUTE CABINS DISCOUNTS every Thursday for Friday or Saturday arrivals. Only rarely do we have nothing available. You may not see it but if we have cabins, we have the 25% discount. Weekends are prime rental times and we hate to have a cabin go empty! Call us and we will hook you up if we can but be sure to ASK for the discount. 

 

PARK SERVICES

"Are all park services (e.g. boat rental or restaurants) open?" 

And:

• What are the topics of the ranger talks each day?
• Is it an area where ticks are a problem?
• Are all the trails clearly marked?
• Are the waterfalls currently flowing?

The Park’s web page has the basic schedule for facilities. Since many things are rain dependent you may need to call the park before coming if you want to know if the pool is open or lifeguards are available for the beach. We encourage the parks to post an alert on their main page if some unusual event results in a closure (like the pump at the pool breaks). (NOTE: Because of COVID-19 pools are closed for 2020 and some beaches do not have lifeguards. Please check each park's page before visiting for closures at the park.)

Ticks - Come prepared to have them anywhere in the woods - bring bug spray, wear long pants and shirts when hiking and tuck your pants in your socks/boots.

Waterfalls - are another big variable so I'd call the park and check before your visit.

Park programs - we have an easy way to check those. You can search by park, date and/or type of event by clicking here. At the bottom of the park's web page you can also find the upcoming schedule and a quick link to the ones just at that park. Some parks post them farther in advance than others and by all means always ask us on Facebook, we're here to help.

Blue Suck Falls at Douthat State Park may be flowing after a rainfall, or just a drizzle.

CAMPFIRES

"Are there current fire restrictions?"

Statewide there is a burning restriction between Feb 15 through Apr 30. Open fires are prohibited (including grills and fire rings) between midnight and 4 p.m. We have received an exception in our campgrounds if we have a host on duty. Sometimes excessively dry periods may result in various bans. We will post them on the park's banner alert system if it impacts a park.

It's good to know if we can have a campfire or use the outside grill when we're there.

"Does it have steep steps up to it? Does it have a bathtub (couldn't believe one did -- thanks)"

This depends on the individual cabin, so we can’t answer that here, but you can to call to find out 800-933-7275.

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

"Being handicapped challenged, but not always needing a handicapped accessible cabin, I have called a park directly to ask about the number of stairs into several cabins before ultimately choosing one."

It is always recommended to call the park before visiting or booking your stay to ask about accessibility. Clicking on Other Info on the park's page will give you information about accessibility as well. 

Cabin 4 at Occoneechee State Park is universally accessible.

Cabin 11 at Natural Tunnel State Park is universally accessible.

AMENITIES

"1. How close it is to the water and a grocery? 
 2. Does it have heat or air and windows?"

The cabin book always gives proximity and some directions to closest grocery stores. Some guests arrive with groceries, others plan to head back out to stock up. But in any event, it is good to know for later when you need something, especially if staying a full week.

A Reservation Counselor can answer if the cabin you are interested in is waterfront or not. All of our cabins have HVAC, and operating windows for fresh outside air.

Cabin 14 is a 2-bedroom CCC built Log cabin at Douthat State Park has windows to open and HVAC.

ROADS

"Is access via a paved road or gravel? It's important to folks traveling by motorcycle."

Important to ask when you reserve the cabin.

Cabin 19 at Hungry Mother State Park has a paved road and parking perfect for motorcycles.

 

Click here to check on availability and to reserve online, or call 800-933-7275 during regular business hours.

Also, be sure to sign up for the Customer Loyalty Program to earn points that may be applied to future overnight stays.

 

Posted October 16, 2018 | Updated August 25, 2020