Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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Pet Friendly Rentals

By Shellie AnnePosted October 23, 2019

 

Last updated on March 21, 2024

Where can you get away for a few days and bring your four-legged family member with? Come to Virginia, we have the solution.

We are one of the doggonest pet friendly state park systems in the country. We love your entire family at Virginia State Parks, down to the furry four-leggeds. Cabins are always pet friendly, let us explain.

Hey we're all family at Virginia State Parks

Hey we're all family at Virginia State Parks

Virginia State Parks cabins and lodges are 100% pet friendly and we invite you to check us out.

Before moving to Virginia, we had only one option, camp. But we really wanted to try out one of the 300 cabins in our new state. If you're like me, you want to bring our four-legged family along when we get away for a few days or annual summer vacation. You go through the whole guilt process trying to plan your trip, the heavy burden being "Who is going to watch our dog" or "We don't want to kennel her".

Here is the solution

We're all family

We're all family, don't leave us behind to miss out on all the fun (and food!)

Virginia State Park cabins and lodges allow pets to stay with their families for a low nightly fee.

Recently I visited another state park system, and just out of curiosity I asked about Pet Friendly Lodging. They replied, $40 per pet to stay in a cottage or cabin, and we only have two available that are pet friendly. I was blown away, thinking about this great opportunity we offer back in Virginia to our park visitors. I thanked them, and knew I probably wouldn't be back to stay. The park was beautiful, the staff were very friendly, but hike and stay without our dog? Nope, not going to happen.

At the event I attended most everyone I spoke to mentioned they had a dog, and find it hard to leave them behind. Asking someone to watch their dog for more than a day or two seemed way too difficult, and paying for them to be locked up in a cage in a kennel was definitely not preferred. This is what I told them:

Come to Virginia State Parks and bring your dogs

PETIQUETTE

Clean up after them, the last thing they want it to get you in trouble

Clean up after them, like here at Occoneechee State Park

A fancy term that basically means "what we expect from you as the pet owner" can be found here. You already know most of this, vaccinated (with proof, i.e. rabies tag on collar), leash no longer than 6 feet in length and kept under control at all times, clean up after them, etc. Ensure they have adequate water and shade, as they won't know any better when the heat index rises.

If you bring them by the park office, they may even get a treat.

Dogs are welcome here - Staunton River State Park cabins

Dogs are welcome here, and enjoy the cabin loop at Staunton River State Park

PET POLICY

One of the great things about Virginia State Parks is that you can bring your four-legged loved ones along as well. Fido can come too but, of course, there are limits.

Pets are allowed in all Virginia State Parks. State regulations prohibit pets at designated swim areas and require pets to be confined or kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet and kept under supervision while in the park. Pets are also not allowed in public facilities (bathhouses, visitor centers, park offices, restaurants, yurts, etc.) While pets are allowed at False Cape State Park, they are not permitted access through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Dogs dig Virginia State Parks and they love us, but of course there are a few rules

Dogs dig Virginia State Parks and they love us, but of course there are a few rules

To avoid potential inconvenience, we ask that you bring proof of current rabies vaccination. This is strongly recommended in Virginia Beach where a rabies alert is in effect.

There's an additional nightly charge per pet for cabin stays. Customers with pet allergies may contact the park at least a week before check-in to request allergen-removal cleaning for a reserved cabin. There's no additional charge for pets in campgrounds.

Unfortunately, some pets and their owners don't always consider other guests. Pet owners must clean up after their pets. If a pet is left unattended, becomes a nuisance in violation of the leash law, disturbs others by barking during quiet hours or damages a park facility, the owner's stay may be terminated without refund. The owner will be billed for any damage to park facilities caused by pets.

Assistance dogs are not considered pets hence are welcome in all facilities at no additional charge.

300 CABINS TO CHOOSE FROM

Consider a cabin with an enclosed porch like here at Twin Lakes State Park, Va

Consider a cabin with an enclosed porch like here at Twin Lakes State Park

Cabins don't have fenced yards, but there is plenty of outside space to enjoy like here at First Landing State Park, Va

Cabins don't have fenced yards, but there is plenty of outside space to enjoy

Virginia State Parks offer more than 300 comfortable climate-controlled cabins throughout the state, and many cabins are available year-round (so less people, less bugs and more $ in your pocket with lower rental rates). We have a variety of cabins from original hand-hewn log cabins, to the more modern style with gas log fireplaces and open floor plans.Log cabin at Douthat State Park with wood burning fireplace

If you are prone to pet allergies, be sure to ask about this when you rent a cabin in one of our parks, our staff takes great care to remove all evidence of previous renter's pets, but we can add-on an extra thorough pet dander specific deep clean.

Learn more about overnight cabin options here, or call 800-933-PARK.

Virginia State Parks is the #1 pet friendly lodging choice in Virginia and perhaps the entire Southeast/Mid-Atlantic region.

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

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