Clinch River State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $5 per vehicleAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- dcr.virginia.gov(276) 762-5076
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 698 acres, Clinch River State Park lies in Russell County, about 9 miles east of Coeburn.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, biking, and hiking. The official site lists about 8 miles of trails. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – sunset | — |
| Mon–Fri | 8:30 a.m. – noon | — | |
| Mon–Fri | 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. | — | |
| Visitor center | Mon–Fri | 8:30 a.m. – noon | — |
| Mon–Fri | 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Trails on the Sugar Hill Unit and day use boat launches at Artrip, Carbo, Old Castlewood and Retch are open to the public from 6 a.m. to dusk daily. Office hours at the UVA Wise Oxbow Center are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. then 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. To ensure availability during your visit call us at (276) 762-5076 or email clinchriver@dcr.virginia.gov
The park’s office is in the Oxbow Center in St. Paul, VA. Park office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - noon, then 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. Park merchandise sales are available at the Oxbow Center during these times.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Pets are welcome in most outdoor areas of our parks.' 'Leashes may be no longer than 6 feet.' 'Pets are not permitted in yurts.' 'There is a $20 additional nightly charge per pet for cabin stays. There is no additional charge for pets in campgrounds.'
Statewide rule from Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard | $5 |
| Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*) | $5 |
| Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat | $3 · day |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard | $12 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct* | $12 |
| High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round | $30 |
Official wording
Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Standard: $5 Passenger Vehicle Parking and Admission Fees – Weekends (Apr–Oct*): $5 Boat Launch and Equestrian Fees – In addition to Daily Parking Fee Year-Round Per Trailer – Boat: $3 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Standard: $12 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – HOV 9–15 passengers Weekends Apr–Oct*: $12 High Occupancy Vehicle and Bus Parking and Admission Fees – Buses 16 or more Year-Round: $30
Virginia park passes
- Naturally Yours Passport — $85. Parking and admission for 12 months to all State Parks (admission for up to 4 at Natural Bridge and Southwest Virginia Museum) Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport — $40. Parking and admission for 12 months, age 62+ Details
- Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $180. Parking plus boat-launch / horse-trailer fees for 12 months Details
- Senior Naturally Yours Passport for Boaters/Equestrians — $145. As above, age 62+ Details
From the Virginia state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Virginia State Parks reservation system (reservevaparks.com)
- Phone
- 800-933-7275
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
OVERNIGHT FACILITIES Clinch River has no cabins or camping. The park is under construction. For information on the availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingCanoeing and kayakingHiking
Trails
SUGAR HILL UNIT: The Sugar Hill Unit in St. Paul has nine miles of trails open to the public. These trails are open from 6 a.m. to dusk daily. Clinch River State Park allows hiking/biking on the Sugar Hill Loop trail. The AmeriCorps, Riverside, Hillside, Cliff and Rock Bluff Trails are hiking only. The trail system is moderate to difficult in trail rating.
Swimming
There are no designated swimming areas.
Boating and paddling
The Clinch flows some 135 miles through Southwest Virginia before it reaches the Tennessee line from its origin in Tazewell County. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources fisheries management studies, the Clinch River contains more fish species than any other river in Virginia. The river supports smallmouth bass, spotted bass, rock bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye, musky, freshwater drum, longnose gar, channel catfish and more! The river is also home to nearly 50 species of mussels and hundreds of non-game fish as well. Boating and fishing along the river follow Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources rules and regulations. SUGAR HILL UNIT: The Riverside Trail offers access to bank fishing on the Clinch River. ARTRIP BOAT LAUNCH: 3084 Artrip Road Cleveland, VA (Russell County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking and porta-john available at this access to the Clinch River. CARBO BOAT LAUNCH: 92 Carbo Church Avenue Cleveland, VA (Russell County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking, porta-john, picnic tables and fishing area available at this access to the Clinch River. OLD CASTLEWOOD LAUNCH: 206 Luttie Banner Drive Castlewood, VA (Russell County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking, porta-john, picnic tables, and a first come first serve picnic shelter at this access to the Clinch River. THE RETCH LAUNCH: 3115 Riverbluff Road Fort Blackmore, VA (Scott County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking, porta-john, picnic tables and fishing area available at this access to the Clinch River.
Fishing
The Clinch flows some 135 miles through Southwest Virginia before it reaches the Tennessee line from its origin in Tazewell County. According to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources fisheries management studies, the Clinch River contains more fish species than any other river in Virginia. The river supports smallmouth bass, spotted bass, rock bass, sunfish, crappie, walleye, musky, freshwater drum, longnose gar, channel catfish and more! The river is also home to nearly 50 species of mussels and hundreds of non-game fish as well. Boating and fishing along the river follow Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources rules and regulations. SUGAR HILL UNIT: The Riverside Trail offers access to bank fishing on the Clinch River. ARTRIP BOAT LAUNCH: 3084 Artrip Road Cleveland, VA (Russell County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking and porta-john available at this access to the Clinch River. CARBO BOAT LAUNCH: 92 Carbo Church Avenue Cleveland, VA (Russell County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking, porta-john, picnic tables and fishing area available at this access to the Clinch River. OLD CASTLEWOOD LAUNCH: 206 Luttie Banner Drive Castlewood, VA (Russell County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking, porta-john, picnic tables, and a first come first serve picnic shelter at this access to the Clinch River. THE RETCH LAUNCH: 3115 Riverbluff Road Fort Blackmore, VA (Scott County)- There is a public day-use boat launch with parking, porta-john, picnic tables and fishing area available at this access to the Clinch River.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Water
- Boat ramp
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
The trails are not ADA accessible. SUGAR HILL UNIT: Parking is located just east of the low water dam in the town of St. Paul. There is currently no parking fee to access the trail system. The Sugar Hill trail system is accessible by crossing the low water dam at the town on St. Paul’s Oxbow Lake. Once across the dam, go left past the green gate to access the Clinch River State Park: Sugar Hill Unit trail system.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- P.O. Box 67
Saint Paul, VA 24283 - Nearest town
- Coeburn — about 9 mi east (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.8985, -82.3175
- Phone
- (276) 762-5076
- clinchriver@dcr.virginia.gov
Google Maps directionsApple Maps
Directions from the park
SUGAR HILL UNIT: Clinch River State Park’s Sugar Hill Unit (Wise County) is located in St. Paul, about 35 miles northwest of Abingdon, VA., 45 miles north of Bristol, VA/TN, and 21 miles east of Norton, VA on US ALT. 58. From I-81 S, take Abingdon Exit 14 onto US-19/SR140. Turn right onto Old Johnsboro Rd. toward Abingdon. Slight right at the light onto W Main. Turn left at the light onto Porterfield SW. Turn left onto Alt. US-58 W. Sugar Hill Tract: Latitude, 36.900977. Longitude, -82.319412. ARTRIP BOAT LAUNCH: (Russell County) 3084 Artrip Road, Cleveland, VA. 4 miles east of the town of Cleveland on Artrip Road/SR661. Latitude, 36.963254. Longitude, -82.1200061. OLD CASTLEWOOD BOAT LAUNCH: (Russell County) 206 Luttie Banner Drive, Castlewood, VA. 3.2 miles east of St. Paul. Latitude, 36.892888. Longitude, -82.277572. CARBO BOAT LAUNCH: (Russell County) 92 Carbo Church Ave. Cleveland, VA. 2.8 mi west of Cleveland, VA. Latitude, 36.926656. Longitude, -82.194133. RETCH BOAT LAUNCH: (Scott County) 3115 Riverbluff Road, Fort Blackmore, VA. Latitude, 36.7805555556. Longitude, -82.5494444444. Drive Time: Roanoke, Virginia, two and a half hours; Knoxville, TN, two and a half hours; Charleston, WV, three and a half hours; Pikeville, KY, an hour and a half.
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jun 29, 2026
- Virginia State Parks 'Find a park' list (HTML, one 'Name (CODE)' link per park)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology