Due to the expected impact of the winter storm, all Virginia State Park overnight facilities will be closed from Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 25. This decision is based on the forecast for unsafe conditions and potential power outages. For updates click here.

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We have the cure for popsicle toes!

By Shellie AnnePosted January 13, 2015

 

CALLING ALL THOSE WITH CABIN FEVER

Time to warm up in front of a cozy fire at Occoneechee State Park. Photo credit: Robert Harris, Mecklenburg County Tourism, www.VisitMeckVA.com

 Photo courtesy of Robert Harris, Mecklenburg County Tourism www.VisitMeckVA.com

Virginia State Parks becomes a winter wonderland when it the snows! (Natural Tunnel State Park is SW Virginia)

Virginia State Parks become a winter wonderland when it snows

Bear Creek Lake Sate Park cabin 6

Put a few logs on the fire - - many cabins are available to rent year-round

Snow tubing down the spillway at Hungry Mother State Park

Bring the whole family and snow tube down the spillway at Hungry Mother State Park (nearly all parks have some sort of hill you can reclaim for snow-tubing or sledding when the white stuff falls!)

Douthat State Park Cabin - Douthat State Park winter collage Photo courtesy of Bill Crabtree, Jr., Va. Tourism Corp.

After the fun outside we'll convene back at the cabin to sit around the fire and sip hot cocoa and enjoy each other's company. I have found that the times when we get away from it all, are the best times. They allow us to focus on our families and spend valuable quality and quantity time together.

Overnight Stays 
Virginia State Parks provide comfortable and economical overnight accommodations. There are more than 300 cozy, climate-controlled cabins of various sizes throughout the state. Many cabins are available year round. If you want a winter get away, I recommend you check out Virginia State Parks' cabins!
 
Please click here for cabin rental rates (PDF).  For example, the 2 bedroom Bear Creek Lake State Park cabin pictured above is just $88 per night in the off-season and sleeps 6. One master bedroom with queen sized bed and a second bedroom with two sets of bunk beds. That is less than $15 per person per night!
 
Click here to check on availability and to reserve online or call 800-933-7275 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
These cabins come full loaded
All cabins have kitchens and bathrooms. Furnishings and equipment include simple furniture, microwave, refrigerator and oven, dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, kitchen towels and glassware. Bath towels and bedroom linens, including mattress covers, pillows, blankets, sheets and pillow cases, also are included. 
 
All cabins except those at Chippokes State Park and Twin Lakes State Park's Hill Lodge and Martin Cottage have fireplaces. Cabins at Smith Mountain Lake have wood stoves. The park provides the first armload of firewood and you can purchase more near the cabin/or office area.
 
What to bring
Warm snow gear and snow fun stuff like tubes, sleds, snow shovels and buckets and other dollar-store items to use play in the snow. Lemonade, punch or juice to make snow cones or snow cream or even snow candy (recipe here). Board games, puzzles, crosswords and if you aren't too shy bring along a karaoke machine. 
 
More Fun
  • Make the best snow-angel - see who is the best at this, it isn't easy getting back up!
  • Hula hoop contest outside (it is much harder when you are all bundled up with your winter clothes). 
  • Build an ice fort
  • Roll the biggest snowman. Hint: Bring one of those LED keychains and push it into the snowman and leave it on so the snow man glows after the sun goes down. 
  • Winter wildlife tracking, look for animal tracks in the snow and try to identify them. 
  • Play tag following in each other's footprints (this can be really funny if the snow is deep).

Love the one you're with

You can take advantage of the off-season cabins at Virginia State Parks to reconnect with the one you love, or have a family friendly getaway. Douthat State Park is known for the quaint one room efficiency cabins (nicknamed the honeymoon cabins) as the bed is in the same room as the fireplace.

Doggone it

Don't forget the four-legged family members who also get cabin fever this time of year! They can stay with the family for a per pet/per night fee of just $10. That is less than a kennel charges to board them.

Walk the dog at Claytor Lake State Park

What do you say...how does a cabin stay to break up the winter monotony and thaw out those popsicle toes sound? Click here for more information on state park cabins.

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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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