A trip to Douthat State Park isn’t complete without stopping by the Lakeview Camp Store & Grill

Longtime visitors to Douthat State Park may remember the Lakeview Restaurant. It offered guests home-cooked meals, such as fried chicken, trout, quail and cheeseburgers, and beautiful views of the park and the Alleghany Mountains.

Today, the restaurant, now known as the Lakeview Camp Store & Grill, may look a little different, but it still serves up some delicious meals with a gorgeous view.

History of the Lakeview Restaurant

The Lakeview Restaurant opened several years ago and served as a centerpiece of the park. The main part of the building, where the dining room was housed, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936 and has always been used as a dining hall or restaurant.

The main dining room at Lakeview Restaurant in 2015

In the 1960s, the park added an enclosed porch, creating a popular spot for diners to enjoy the scenery no matter the season.

The enclosed patio in the early 2000s

The open-air deck was added in 2010. To some guests, this is the best spot to enjoy a meal after a long day exploring the park, especially during fall.

The view from the deck

Today, this original section of the building remains the same as it did in 1936, except for regular maintenance, such as painting and a roof replacement.

Like many small restaurants, the Lakeview Restaurant experienced some challenges over the years, and unfortunately, it closed in September 2019 due to staffing issues. However, that wasn’t the end of the story for the historic building.

The Lakeview Grill & Camp Store

While it was a tough chapter to close, the restaurant shutting its doors gave park rangers the opportunity to try something new.

At the time, camping-related gear and apparel and souvenirs were sold at two different locations, so the park combined all the items and began selling them in the new Lakeview Camp Store, located in the old dining room, in April 2021.

The Lakeview Camp Store offers a nice selection of fishing gear

Rangers still wanted guests to have a place to grab food without leaving the park, so they got the kitchen up and running and officially opened the Lakeview Camp Store & Grill in June 2021.

Camp Store hours

In the off-season, the Camp Store has limited hours, but starting in March*, it operates seven days a week* and is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.* The Camp Store sells fishing tackle, hunting and fishing licenses, camping supplies, gifts, homemade desserts and much more.

From rope to stickers, you can find what you need at the Lakeview Camp Store

Grill hours

The Grill opens for the season in late spring* and closes after Labor Day*. It typically operates from 9 a.m.* to 5 p.m.* and offers a variety of options, including hot dogs, BBQ sandwiches, onion rings and mozzarella sticks. Visitors can even order some of the classics from the Lakeview Restaurant, like the Ranger Burger, an 8 oz. all-beef patty with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and mayonnaise and/or mustard; Camp Carson, with steak, peppers, onions and cheese; and Camp Malone, with chicken, peppers, onions and cheese.

Food from the regular menu is packaged to go, and guests are invited to enjoy their meal on the enclosed porch or outside deck.

New for 2025, the Grill is offering a hot breakfast buffet. It cost $14.99 for adults and $7.49 for children under 12. The buffet includes scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, gravy, biscuits and hash browns. Various muffins, pancakes, French toast sticks, fried apples, home fries, will be featured on rotation. The price includes a unlimited coffee and tea and/or one serving of milk and orange juice. Refills on milk and orange juice available for additional charge.   

From the Grill's opening day through Memorial Day, the buffet will be offered Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it can be enjoyed seven days a week.

"The Lakeview Camp Store & Grill offers the must-have and forgotten camping and fishing supplies, a variety of Douthat apparel, souvenirs and serves as a good place for a quick lunch to enhance guests' experiences at Douthat State Park,” said Assistant Park Manager-Administration Kester Dingus. 

The enclosed patio in 2023. It can seat about 20 guests.

The deck in 2023. It can seat about 30 guests.

*Subject to change.

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Now that you know the story of the Lakeview Camp Store & Grill, we hope you will stop by on your next visit to Douthat State Park.