Claytor Lake State Park

Is there any better way to spend Memorial Day than camping near a lake? This park had been on our list to visit for a while, and it lived up to all the great things we’d been told. Claytor Lake State Park, tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, has everything you need for a great outdoor adventure. 

During our visit, we explored every trail on foot or by bike, enjoyed the lake beach, walked through the historic Howe House, and visited a local ice cream shop. The only thing we missed was fishing and boating! And we did regret not bringing the kayaks. 

While we enjoyed camping in Campground D, my parents glamped it up in Cabin 18. The cabins at this park are amazing. Several of the 2-bedroom cabins and the two 6-bedroom lodges are on the water, and while my parents’ 3-bedroom cabin was not, it did have water views. And it felt brand new! The bathroom with heaters felt luxurious, and I’m not afraid to admit we took a shower or two in their cabin. 

This park is picturesque. And with its gazebo, nice meeting facility, and great pavilions and picnic shelters, this would be an excellent park for an event or wedding.

Fast Facts (and Opinions)

Location: Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, VA

Equipment: Travel Trailer

Date: Memorial Day Weekend 2024

Weather: Sunny, some rain

Kid-Friendly: Yes (ours were ages 11 and 10)

Dog-Friendly: Yes

Site: D4

• Back-in with woods behind and on one side

• Partial shade

• Nice grassy area in front of site with a horseshoe pit (must bring your own horseshoes)

Bathhouse:

• Great new bathhouse

• Nice outdoor dishwashing sink

• Very cute little library outside

Cell Service: Yes (Verizon)

Park Highlights:

Click here to watch highlight reel.

• 7 miles of hiking and biking trails (easy to cover them all) 

• 5K cross-country trail

• Seasonally guarded swimming beach and concessions

• Seasonal boat rentals

• Historic Howe House

• Great picnic shelters/pavillions around the park for rent

• Gazebo and meeting facility

Area Highlights:

• The Jar's Trading Post Souvenirs and Ice Cream

  • 1.3 miles from park (behind The Mason Jar Restaurant)

  • Serves Homestead Creamery ice cream

  • Cute and delicious

Park Hikes:

• Campground D to Poplar Leaf to Lakeview to Cabin Area to Water's Edge Meeting Facility to Howe House Visitor Center back to Campground -  2.5-mile loop

• Easy

• Shaded

• Mix of trails and paved path

• Visited gift shop, visitor center, LOVE sign, and gazebo

• Campground D to C to Shady Ridge to Hidden Valley to Hidden Valley Loop to Overlook to Claytor Lake to Overlook back to Campground - 3.5-mile loop

  • Moderately easy

  • Shady

  • Beautiful views of lake

  • Must hike through public boat ramp parking lot to continue on Hidden Valley Trail

• Ran a variation of Boy Scout Troop 244 5K Trail - Campground D to Poplar Leaf to Bent Tree loop to Poplar Leaf to Lakeview to Poplar Leaf back to Campground - 3.1-mile loop

  • Trail run

  • Ran in the rain (trails muddy but not terrible)

  • Shady

  • 5K marked with green trail markers

  • 148 feet of elevation gain

Area Hikes:

• None that we explored

Park Mountain Bike Rides:

• Campground D to Shady Ridge loop to parking lot to Lakeview to Swimming Beach back via State Park Rd. to Campground - 2.25-mile loop

  • Easy, fun trail to bike

  • Mix of shaded trail through woods and paved path

Other Campsites:

• D12 looked nice

• D is only campground for larger RVs

• A, B, C campgrounds more for tents

• Nice cabins (my parents stayed in Cabin 18)

  • 3 bedroom / 2 bathrooms

  • Newer and very nice

  • All cabins have access to several docks

Things to Do Next Visit (Because There's Just Never Enough Time!):

• Bring the kayaks or rent a boat and get out on the water

Copyright © 2024, All rights reserved.