Seven Virginia State Parks to see cabin, campground closures for renovations
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Seven Virginia State Parks will see cabin and/or campground closures beginning this fall as the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation works to renovate these spaces. Some of these projects are already in progress, while others will begin before the end of the year. A few will take multiple years to complete, according to the department. “These renovations are key to the longevity of our parks,” said Virginia State Parks director Melissa Baker in a Nov. 1 press release. “It takes time to upgrade the facilities and make each location more enjoyable for all guests. We look forward to sharing the upgraded cabins and campgrounds when the projects are completed.” The parks themselves will remain open and daily park operations will not be impacted by these projects. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation suggests native alternatives to invasive plants Here are the involved parks and their project schedules: Bear Creek Lake State Park, Cumberland County Both the Black Oak and Chestnut campgrounds closed starting Oct. 7. They will reopen in May 2026. The Acorn Camping Loop, which accommodates tents and campers less than 20 feet long, will remain open through Dec. 1. Westmoreland State Park, Westmoreland County All cabins and camping cabins are closed as of Nov. 1. They will reopen in Oct. 2026. First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach All cabins are closed as of Nov. 1. They will reopen in Oct. 2026. Claytor Lake State Park, Pulaski County Campgrounds B and C are closed as of Nov. 1. They will remain closed through the 2025 season. Fairy Stone State Park, Patrick County The main campground will be closed starting Dec. 2024. It will reopen on Feb. 28, 2026. The equestrian campground will remain open, but the main campground's bathhouse and dump station will not be available for campers' use. Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County The Hickory Ridge Campground -- including all campsites, yurts and its bunkhouse -- will close starting in November. It will reopen in April 2026. The Chestnut Hollow Equestrian Campground will remain open throughout the 2025 season. Douthat State Park, Bath County and Alleghany County The Douthat Lodge area is closed to vehicles until further notice. Pedestrians are permitted in the area when on their way to the Guest Lodge Trail.
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CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Seven Virginia State Parks will see cabin and/or campground closures beginning this fall as the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation works to renovate these spaces.
Some of these projects are already in progress, while others will begin before the end of the year. A few will take multiple years to complete, according to the department.
“These renovations are key to the longevity of our parks,” said Virginia State Parks director Melissa Baker in a Nov. 1 press release. “It takes time to upgrade the facilities and make each location more enjoyable for all guests. We look forward to sharing the upgraded cabins and campgrounds when the projects are completed.”
The parks themselves will remain open and daily park operations will not be impacted by these projects.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation suggests native alternatives to invasive plants
Here are the involved parks and their project schedules:
- Bear Creek Lake State Park, Cumberland County
- Both the Black Oak and Chestnut campgrounds closed starting Oct. 7. They will reopen in May 2026.
- The Acorn Camping Loop, which accommodates tents and campers less than 20 feet long, will remain open through Dec. 1.
- Westmoreland State Park, Westmoreland County
- All cabins and camping cabins are closed as of Nov. 1. They will reopen in Oct. 2026.
- First Landing State Park, Virginia Beach
- All cabins are closed as of Nov. 1. They will reopen in Oct. 2026.
- Claytor Lake State Park, Pulaski County
- Campgrounds B and C are closed as of Nov. 1. They will remain closed through the 2025 season.
- Fairy Stone State Park, Patrick County
- The main campground will be closed starting Dec. 2024. It will reopen on Feb. 28, 2026.
- The equestrian campground will remain open, but the main campground's bathhouse and dump station will not be available for campers' use.
- Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County
- The Hickory Ridge Campground -- including all campsites, yurts and its bunkhouse -- will close starting in November. It will reopen in April 2026.
- The Chestnut Hollow Equestrian Campground will remain open throughout the 2025 season.
- Douthat State Park, Bath County and Alleghany County
- The Douthat Lodge area is closed to vehicles until further notice. Pedestrians are permitted in the area when on their way to the Guest Lodge Trail.
