Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Mountains, Douthat State Park is one of Virginia’s original six state parks. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in the development of parks nationwide.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Douthat offers year-round adventures with its 4,500 acres of forested wilderness, a 50-acre lake and more than 40 miles of trails.

Here are the top five activities we recommend for an unforgettable visit to this Virginia gem.

1. Stay in a historic cabin.

Cabin 12 at Douthat State Park

Douthat State Park has 35 cabins that range in size, from small efficiencies to three bedrooms, and cabins 1 through 25 are original CCC log cabins.

During the construction of the log cabins, the CCC tested different designs and floor plans, which means each of them, now more than 80 years old, is truly unique.

These cabins received major updates between 2022 and 2024 to ensure guest safety and structural longevity, but their historic character, which is complimented by modern touches, remains.

If you prefer to sleep under the stars, the park has four campgrounds, totaling 87 sites, with water and electric hookups. While White Oak, Lakeside and Beaver Dam (equestrian with horse stalls) campgrounds are closed from November through March, Whispering Pines is open year-round.

The park’s overnight accommodations are very popular, so making an early reservation is recommended. You can book a cabin or campsite up to 11 months in advance at reservevaparks.com.

2. Hit the trails.

Tuscarora Overlook

Douthat State Park has more than 40 miles of trails (PDF), varying from easy strolls to challenging climbs. For a panoramic view, take on the Tuscarora Overlook Trail. This steep, difficult hike features an original fire watch cabin at the top and offers an incredible vista that makes the effort worthwhile.

If you’re a mountain biker, you can explore all but four of the park’s trails. For equestrian users, the park has 11 miles of horse trails, including the 6-mile Alleghany Highlands Multi-use Equestrian State Trail.

There’s little cell phone service at the park, so we recommend downloading the park’s trail map from Avenza before your visit. Paper maps are also available at the visitor center.

3. Fish Douthat Lake.

Fishing Douthat Lake

If you’re an angler, Douthat Lake is a prime spot for fishing. It’s stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout during the fee season and home to largemouth bass, black crappie, channel sunfish, chain pickerel and channel catfish. There’s also a special trout fishing area for kids on a section of Wilson Creek just below the dam.

Other than the five days before the first Saturday in April, fishing is allowed year-round. Licenses and permits required vary. Check the Department of Wildlife Resources website for more information.

Non-gasoline-powered boats are allowed on the lake, and you can rent canoes, kayaks and paddle boats at the park from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

4. Check out the Lakeview Campstore.

Lakeview Campstore

The Lakeview Campstore has all your camping essentials, from fishing lures and rods to s’mores fixings and Douthat sweatshirts. The store is housed in an original CCC building that used to be a restaurant.

The enclosed porch was added in the 1960s and now serves as a seating area for guests who stop by the Lakeview Grill for breakfast or lunch. The grill has seasonal hours, so check the park’s website before your visit to make sure it’s open. Even if it’s closed, you can still grab a picnic table on the deck to enjoy the view of the lake and mountains.

5. Attend a ranger-led program.

Ranger-led program at Douthat State Park. Photo courtesy of Jon Limtiaco: jonlphotography.com

Throughout the year, the park offers hundreds of ranger-led programs for visitors of all ages, including guided hikes, moonlit paddles on Douthat Lake and the popular Douthat Dwellers. This educational program focuses on animals and insects that call Douthat home, such as bears, butterflies, frogs, owls, snakes and opossums.

To see if there are any programs scheduled during your visit, check out the events calendar.

If you prefer to explore on your own, stop by the visitor center to learn about the park’s self-guided activities. The Junior Ranger Program gives younger visitors the chance to learn, explore and earn a Douthat State Park Junior Ranger patch.

The Photo Scavenger Hunt, designed for all ages, will take you to different areas of the park in search of 12 objects, from a swinging bridge to Ranger Shelly. Take a picture of each one and show your images to a ranger at the Nature’s Outpost to claim your prize.

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Whether hiking, fishing, paddling biking, or camping, you’ll find that Douthat State Park offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.

If you’re ready to start planning your visit, go to virginiastateparks.gov/douthat.