reservations, general questions | camping | cabins | other facilities, offerings | rules, regulations
What if I can't use my reservation? You have two options. First, you may cancel the reservation and pay the cancellation fee. This must be done prior to the official check-in time on the date of your arrival. If the Reservation Center is open or will be open again before your scheduled check-in time, you should call the center at 1-800-933-PARK (7275) to cancel. This speeds the processing of your refund. If the center is closed and will not reopen before your scheduled check-in time, you must call the park to cancel. The park's phone number may be found on the confirmation letter and at the bottom of the park's particular web page.
Your second option is to transfer the reservation to a future time. You can even change the park or type of site. You may not, however, transfer a cabin or lodge reservation to camping, nor may you transfer a portion of a reservation to another time or park. There is no charge to transfer the reservation. Transfers are handled through the Reservation Center only, Monday through Friday, and must take place before the official check-in time of your confirmed reservation. The last opportunity for a transfer of a cabin or lodge reservation is at 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to your scheduled arrival. (Should that Monday be a state holiday, then 5 p.m. on Tuesday is the deadline.) After that time, you must either use the reservation or cancel it and pay the appropriate cancellation fee. If the center is closed, your transfer deadline has expired, and the center does not reopen before your scheduled check-in time, your only option is to cancel.
How far in advance can I make a reservation? Reservations for cabins, campsites and picnic shelters can be made up to 11 months before the desired date(s).
What are the check-in times? Check-in for cabins is 3 p.m., checkout 10 a.m. Official check-in for camping is 4 p.m. If a site is available, early check-in is allowed. Checkout for camping is 3 p.m.
What if arrive late? Except for False Cape and New River Trail state parks, arriving late for camping is never a problem. If park staff is gone for the day, proceed to the campground where you are reserved and select an unoccupied site. Go to the office or contact station the next morning to register. Remember that your reservation is paid so don't put money in the honor camping envelope. Cabin guests expecting to arrive late must make arrangements directly with the park beforehand. The times when the park offices or contact stations are staffed vary widely during the year and between parks. If you are a cabin guest and will be arriving after 4 p.m., please call the park using the phone number on your confirmation letter to make any necessary arrangements.
What if I do not cancel but do not show up? Since we hold the site for you, you would not be entitled to a refund. If you call to cancel after your scheduled check-in time, the first night of your stay will be considered used, and the early departure policy noted below will apply.
What if I leave early? The early departure policy listed below applies. Checkout time is used to determine the unused portion of the stay. Refunds, if applicable, must be requested at the time of departure.
May I bring my pet? Pets are allowed in Virginia State Parks campgrounds and cabins. A fee is charged per pet per night. Pet fees for cabins, lodges and other facilities are higher than they are for camping. Guests must clean up after their pets and never leave their pets unattended. To avoid potential inconvenience, we ask that you bring proof of current rabies vaccination. Park staff reserve the right to terminate your stay without a refund should your pet be considered a nuisance, and customers will be billed for cabin damage. State regulations prohibit pets on public beaches. Your pet must be confined or kept on a leash no longer than six feet and under constant supervision while in the park.
When is the Reservation Center open? The Reservation Center's hours vary by season so call 1-800-933-PARK (7275) then select menu option 1 to hear current operating hours. Recorded information is available 24 hours a day. The center is closed all official state holidays. Reservations for most cabins, lodges, picnic shelters and campsites can be made online; there's a non-refundable $3 convenience fee, and payment must be made in full when the reservation is made. Availability for nearly all overnight accommodations can be checked online at no charge. Click here to visit the online reservation page.
Do I have to pay extra for swimming or boat launching? If you are a camping or cabin guest, swimming and boat launching are free, except at Kiptopeke where there is a charge for boat launching. Of course these offerings are not available at every park - please check your confirmation letter or the park's particular web page to see if either service is unavailable at the park you are visiting. Parks with such facilities generally allow swimming Memorial Day through Labor Day. Swimming is available for the same number of days as those reserved (e.g., if you've reserved a campsite for one night, you're entitled to one day's swimming). Circumstances beyond our control, such as bad weather or a shortage of qualified lifeguards, may necessitage occasional closure of swimming areas or boat launches. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but no refunds will be provided in such instances. Children wearing diapers in swimming areas and pools must wear sealed plastic pants. Inflatable training devices for young swimmers are recommended and available for purchase at the park.
How about occupancy limits? No more than six people or immediate family are allowed per campsite. For cabin occupancy and bed rental information please see the park's web page to determine sleeping accommodations that best fit your party (it's listed under "overnight accommodations"). Please note that maximum cabin occupancy often exceeds number of beds provided. In these cases, you can either choose to make your own sleeping arrangements or rent rollaway beds that generally rent for $3 per night. Be sure to rent the rollaway in advance to guarantee that it's in the cabin when you need it.
Cabin guests are responsible for all damage incurred during their stay and will be charged for missing furnishings.
May I hang a lantern in a tree? Nails and hot lanterns leave permanent wounds in trees so please use lantern hangers if provided.
Are campfires allowed? All campgrounds except False Cape provide a grill or fire ring that can be used for charcoal or wood. Help prevent wildfires. Keep outdoor campfires small and contained within the grill/fire ring provided. Fires must be attended at all times and extinguished when left. Firewood is generally available for purchase at the park. Except at First Landing State Park, campers or guests may collect down and dead firewood. Chain saws are prohibited. Fires are not allowed at False Cape State Park.
How should I handle wastewater? Help reduce water pollution. Dump stations, laundry and slop sinks, where provided, should be used to dispose of wastewater.
When are the quiet hours? Please respect your neighbors. Sound and light travel. Lower your voices, radios and lanterns during quiet hours. Quiet hours vary between parks but are generally from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Remember, portable generators should be just as polite.
Can I bring alcoholic beverages? The public display or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
How many vehicles can I bring? State park regulations allow one vehicle in addition to camping equipment per site. Many parks allow a second vehicle if space permits. If not or if the park stipulates it, extra vehicles may be parked in overflow areas. Some parks charge for extra vehicles. Campers are allowed to have guests, however they must pay the published parking fee or admission and park vehicles in official parking areas.
Where can I set up on my site? Some parks have designated camping areas within a border. All belongings must be contained within that area. Please confine tents to designated tent pads. If you are unsure as to whether your equipment will fit, please call your park. On those sites without a bordered area, equipment should be within the site and not overflowing onto neighboring sites.
What is the maximum number of nights I can stay? To accommodate the traveling and touring public, campsite rentals are limited to 14 consecutive nights in a particular park.
How are sites assigned? With the exception of group campgrounds and some primitive parks, all campsites are non-site specific. This means you are guaranteed a site of the type reserved in the park. You are not reserving a specific site: Individual sites are assigned by the park, at the time of your arrival, to best meet the needs of all campers. Parks make every effort to accommodate groups camping together, but it may not be possible to honor all such requests. All guests holding reservations must register for their campsite upon arrival (or, if the contact station or office is closed, the nest day). The registrant is responsible for all occupants of the campsite.
How about group camping? Group camping is available at every Virginia State Park except the Southwest Virginia Museum. At some parks, group areas are available only to those reserving at least two or three sites. Several parks have a large area that can be reserved for a group. Other parks offer group camping by permit through the park only. Please call the Reservation Center to check on group camping options in the particular park of interest.
Is there a minimum age requirement? You must be at least 18 to reserve a campsite.
What's the camping season? Most campgrounds are open March 1 through the first Monday in December; primitive sites are available year-round.
What comes in a cabin? Unless otherwise noted, all Virginia State Parks cabin and lodges have a kitchen with stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, basic pots and pans, dishes, silverware and glassware. A hospitality kit of dishcloth, scrubber and dish detergent is included. Cabins have one bathroom with a shower stall. See lodge descriptions under the park's particular web page for their bathroom information. Cabins have heat pumps that provide heating and air conditioning. All cabins have fireplaces, except those at Smith Mountain Lake (wood stove instead) and Chippokes Plantation (no working fireplaces). Firewood is available at the park; the charge for firewood varies. Linens will be provided on the beds, including sheets, pillows and blankets. There is no daily maid service so linens are not changed during your stay. Most parks charge for extra linens. One set of towels per person is provided. Bed linens and towels should not be removed from the cabin. A clock radio is provided in each cabin or lodge. There is a hospitality kit containing soap, shampoo and body lotion in the bathroom. Most cabins do not have televisions, telephones, dishwashers, washers and dryers. Exceptions are noted in the park information.
Can I bring alcoholic beverages? The public display or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. (Your cabin's interior is not a public area.)
How many vehicles can I bring? Park regulations allow two vehicles per cabin, more for lodges. Extra vehicles may be parked in overflow areas. Some parks charge for extra vehicles. You are allowed to have guests who are not staying overnight. Most parks require that non-overnight guests leave the park before 10 p.m. All guests must pay the published parking fee or admission and park vehicles only in official parking areas.
Where are cabins? How big are they? Climate controlled cabins are available at Bear Creek Lake, Chippokes, Claytor Lake, Douthat, Fairy Stone, First Landing, Hungry Mother, James River, Lake Anna, Occoneechee, Staunton River, Smith Mountain Lake, Twin Lakes and Westmoreland state parks. They are available in different sizes to suit every visitor's needs. Belle Isle offers a mansion and guest house, which are rented separately.
One-room cabin - Combination dining-living room with a kitchen and shower-bath. Accommodates two. Double bed.
One-bedroom cabin - Combination dining-living room (a maximum of two extra beds are available at an additional charge), bedroom, kitchen and shower-bath. Accommodates two with maximum occupancy of four. It generally has one double bed or two twin beds. Douthat and Westmoreland have two single beds. Staunton River State Park also has a double sleep sofa.
Two-bedroom cabin - Combination dining-living room (a maximum of two extra beds are available at an additional charge), two bedrooms, kitchen and shower-bath. It accommodates four with a maximum occupancy of six. Such cabins generally have a double bed in one bedroom and two twin beds in the other. Staunton River State Park has a double sleep sofa in addition to two double beds. Smith Mountain Lake State Park has a queen size sleep sofa in addition to the other beds. Twin Lakes has six cabins with a twin bed and set of bunk beds in each of the two bedrooms.
We have some other special facilities. (Please note that what we designate a "lodge" is often a large cabin that accommodates larger groups.) Facilities and amenities in lodges are generally superior to standard cabins.
Bel Air Mansion and Guest House - these two upscale, overnight facilities in Belle Isle State Park are perfect for family reunions or picturesque weddings. Furnished with antique reproductions, the mansion comfortably sleeps six, and the simply furnished guesthouse sleeps eight. The mansion features a television with a satellite hookup.
Douthat State Park Main Lodge - Accommodates 13 with maximum occupancy of 15. The lodge is rented only as a unit, and individual rooms are not available. It features a phone and a television with a satellite hookup.
Creasey Lodge at Douthat State Park - This is a one-story frame lodge with five bedrooms, one with a double bed and four rooms with two sets of bunk beds each, that accommodates 18 guests. It features a phone and a television with a satellite hookup.
Hungry Mother Lodge - This is a newly renovated, mountaintop log lodge offering a beautiful view of the park. The five-bedroom lodge accommodates up to 15 and must be seen to be appreciated. It features gas fireplaces and a television with a satellite hookup.
Other Lodges - Each of the following parks also offer at least one 6-bedroom
lodge: Bear Creek Lake, Claytor Lake, James River, Kiptopeke and Occoneechee.
Potomac River Retreat at Westmoreland State Park - Suitable
for small gatherings, family reunions, retreats and other special occasions,
it sleeps up to 16 comfortably. It features a television with a satellite
hookup.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park three-bedroom universally accessible cabin -
One of the newest cabins in Virginia State Parks features a combination
dining-living room, kitchen and two bathrooms, including a universally accessible
shower. The three bedrooms have two queen-size and two single beds. The
cabin can accommodate up to eight.
Westmoreland camping cabins - In addition to climate controlled cabins, rustic "camping cabins" are available at Westmoreland State Park Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Each cabin accommodates four and is furnished with a four-bed, single- bunk arrangement, pillows, mattresses, blankets and linens. These cabins have no kitchens, bathrooms or towel service. Shower and bathroom facilities in a nearby camping area are free to cabin occupants. A two-night minimum applies, but not the week stay requirement.
All lodges follow the cabin stay policies covered above, apart from lodges' higher cancellation and early departure fees.
How many nights' stay is required? Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, a week's reservation is required at all cabins and lodges except at Staunton River and Twin Lakes. Depending on the cabin, the check-in day may be Friday, Saturday or Sunday. If available, cabins can be reserved for two-night stays 30 days before the desired check-in. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year.
Can I reserve picnic shelters? The Reservation Center rents picnic shelters at all state parks that offer them. All shelter guests must pay parking or admission fees. Group coordinators may choose to work with the park to pay all guests' parking fees beforehand. Once the shelter is paid for, there is a cancellation fee up to two weeks prior to the reservation date. Cancellations cannot be made within 14 days of the reservation date. Reservations may be changed to another time so long as the transfer is done through the reservation center prior to the start of the reservation. A special use permit may be required for activities beyond simple picnicking. The permit is available from park staff; allow 30 days for processing.
What other facilities can be reserved? The Reservation Center takes reservations for many special programs, workshops and special events. Please click here, call the center or see individual park pages for details.
General Park Rules and Regulations
We want your visit with us to be as relaxing and trouble-free as possible. Before you arrive, please become familiar with these few simple facts about Virginia State Parks. Observe the rules and regulations while staying at your park.
Natural surroundings: Help preserve your park. Please do not cut or scar any plants or trees. Collecting any animal or plant is strictly prohibited except by permit from Richmond state parks headquarters or as allowed by the park during environmental education programming. Remember, take only pictures and leave only footprints. And refrain from feeding wild animals.
Litter: Litter and garbage are unsightly and attract and injure animals. Please use the trash dumpsters if available or pack all trash out in our trash-free parks.
Trails: Help prevent trail erosion. Walk along designated trails only. Mountain bikes are permitted only on roads and bike trails, not hiking trails. Our trails will take you to the most scenic areas of your park. Please don't create your own trail.
Firearms: Law enforcement officers and those with a concealed weapons permit may carry firearms. During hunts, hunters may have firearms, which should be unloaded and properly stored when outside designated hunt areas. Target shooting is prohibited. Air guns are prohibited.
Fireworks: Fireworks are prohibited.
Fishing: Where permitted, valid Virginia fishing licenses are required. Remember, saltwater and special trout waters require licenses too. Please call your park in advance for help or details.
Speed Limits: Interior park roads are generally posted at 25 mph or lower. Helmets are required when operating motorcycles.
