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.

Hiking, mountain parks

Virginia State Parks have some of the most diverse trails in the United States. From the coast to the piedmont to the mountains, Virginia State Parks offer simple trails for novices to enjoy and complex, difficult trails for experienced outdoor enthusiasts.

Mountain trails are generally more difficult because of steepness and elevation – you’re hiking hundreds, sometimes thousands, of feet above sea level. Sweeping vistas make the hikes worth it when you can see for miles and miles in nearly every direction.

Blue Suck Falls Trail at Douthat State Park

Popular mountain hikes

Molly’s Knob Trail - Hungry Mother State Park has a 108-acre lake encircled by 12 miles of trails. Molly's Knob Trail is legendary among serious hikers. It’s only about 2 miles but is often narrow, steep and difficult before it reaches the summit: The park’s highest point is 3,270 feet above sea level.
Mountain Side Trail - Douthat State Park’s Mountain Side Trail isn’t for beginners. This 1.2-mile moderate to difficult trail is accessible along the Mountain Top Trail and the Guest Lodge Trail. This narrow and mountainous trail varies little in elevation but has a fairly steep edge so care must be taken; it’s not for children or the inexperienced.
Blue Suck Falls Trail - This trail at Douthat State Park is a 3-mile hiking and biking trail that affords a stunning view of a wonderful waterfall. The word “suck” is an Appalachian term for a whirlpool at the base of the falls. The view at 2,205 feet makes the hike worthwhile.
Twin Pinnacles Trail: Deep in the heart of Grayson Highlands State Park, at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, Twin Pinnacles Trail is a moderate 1.33-mile hike that offers two stunning overlooks: Big Pinnacle and Little Pinnacle. On clear days, hikers get great views of the Highlands and can see into North Carolina and Tennessee. For the serious hiker, Grayson Highlands also serves as an access point to the Appalachian Trail.
Redtail Ridge Trail and Cottonwood Trail - Guests often hike to Shenandoah River State Park’s Redtail Ridge Trail, which is about a mile long and great for kids. A handful of short climbs may challenge younger hikers, but there are several overlooks of the river. An easier hike, the Cottonwood Trail, is 1.3 miles and ends with an elevated boardwalk. The trail is wheelchair-accessible from the primitive campground.
Lakeview Trail - Claytor Lake State Park has six easy trails covering 7 miles. The trails generally pass through hardwood forest. Lakeview Trail is an easy, handicapped-accessible mile-long stroll. The trail is also the starting point of a 5K cross-country trail designed by Boy Scout troop 244. It’s ideal for seasoned and novice runners.