Recycle Your Holiday Tree for the Fish

Location of Claytor Lake State Park in Virginia

Where

Claytor Lake State Park, 6620 Ben H. Bolen Dr., Dublin, VA 24084.
Marina Parking Lot

When

Dec. 25, 2025 12:00 a.m. - Feb. 1, 2026 12:00 a.m.

Help ensure years of great fishing at Claytor Lake by recycling your old holiday tree at the park. Donated trees will be incorporated into reef structures to enhance habitat for game fish. Learn more about this. You can also observe similar habitat currently in use at Claytor Lake on the underwater webcam.

Trees will be accepted from December 25 until February 1 at the marina parking lot from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. All trees must be real and free of lights, tinsel, and other ornaments. Those making a tree donation will receive free park admission on the day of donation. Please follow our directions located at the drop site at the marina. *Please note that the park will be closed Jan. 9-10, for natural resource management. During this closure, trees are accepted at the entrance booth.*

Interested in volunteering to help prep trees leading up to or helping on drop day? For more details and to sign up to volunteer click HERE. If inclement weather is in the forecast, please email claytorlake@dcr.virginia.gov or call 540-643-2500.

tree drop landing

Documents

creating-artificial-reef-structures-for-fish-in-claytor-lake1.pdf

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 540-643-2500
Email Address: ClaytorLake@dcr.virginia.gov