Douthat State Park

Guests who arrive late will find an envelope with their name on it on the wooden kiosk at the end of the Park Office sidewalk. Park maps are provided so that these guests may find their way to the cabin. The park office is the first building on the right after exiting I-64 and passing the collection booth. From cabins 1-9, the lake is seasonably observable. Cabins 22-25 are locally called Creek Row. The creek is about 30 feet from the cabins. The creek, however, cannot be seen from the cabins.

Cabins 1-30 have been renovated. Bunkbeds have been removed. The sofa has been replaced with a futon except in cabins 2, 13, 16 and 19. See this chart for details.

Cabins:

• Cabins have rustic furniture, heat and AC, a full kitchen and bathroom.
• No linens are provided. Guests must provide all linens and towels.
• Bring food, dish detergent and dish towels and all personal care items. There is no dishwasher, telephone, TV, washer/dryer. Pillows are provided however, you may prefer bringing your own pillow.
• Kitchen: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots and pans, microwave oven, toaster.
• Living Area: Futon, chairs, dining table. Cabins 2, 13, 16 and 19 have a love seat instead of a futon.
• Fireplaces: Cabin 34 has a gas-log fireplace, all other fireplaces are wood-burning. The park provides one complimentary bundle of firewood. Additional firewood is for sale at the park office and camp store. Because of the possibility of destructive invasive species do not bring firewood into the park.
• Picnic tables
• Charcoal grills and fire pits
• Rocking chairs on porches
• No decks
• There is no cell service in the park. The Camp Store and park office have WiFi access.
• There is a large recycling bin in the upper Beach Parking area for recycling products except for glass.
• Cabins 1-25, 33 and 35 have open porches.
• Cabins 26-30 have enclosed screened porches.
• Please refer to this chart for type of cabin, beds and maximum occupancy.

Lodges

Please note that the cancellation fee for Douthat Main Lodge, Creasey Lodge and Beard's Mountain Lodge is higher than it is for cabins.

Douthat Lodge (atop the mountain): Weekly rentals start on Saturday.

This split-level lodge was built by the CCC and was completely renovated in 2025. Douthat Lodge accommodates up to 12 guests. There are five bedrooms: four bedrooms with a queen bed, and one large room with four twin beds. There are three bathrooms of which one has a tub and shower combo, and the other two each have showers.

• Kitchen: Stove, microwave, refrigerator, dishwasher, coffee maker, dishes, silverware, basic pots and pans; advised to bring dish detergent and dish towels.
• Stone Patio
• Telephone with local, calling card or collect calls only.
• Washer and dryer
• No smoking
• Outdoor fire pit and charcoal grill

Creasey Lodge (behind the park's main office): Five-bedroom. Weekly rentals start on Friday .

This one-story wood-frame lodge is next to the park office. It accommodates up to 18 guests. There are five bedrooms: one bedroom with a queen bed, and all other bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds. Three bathrooms of which is one accessible to people with disabilities.

• Deck
• Wi-Fi available
• Washer and dryer
• No smoking

Beards Mountain Lodge: Six-bedroom, maximum occupancy is 16. Weekly rentals start on Sunday.

This frame-built facility is midway up the mountain and is universally accessible. It accommodates up to 16 guests. There are three bathrooms and six bedrooms: two queen bedrooms, two bedrooms with two twins, and two bedrooms with two bunk beds.

• Maximum six cars. Additional parking is strictly limited and may not be available. Additional cars pay the daily parking fee.
• Universally accessible.
• No smoking.
• The kitchen has an electric range and oven, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, drip coffee maker, pots, pans, dishes and utensils.
• The living-dining area has a fireplace with gas logs.
• Heated and air-conditioned with a heat pump.
• Front and back porch.
• Washer and dryer.

Total sites: 35

In addition to the fishing license requirement, the following rules may apply depending on when and where the person will be fishing. Licenses and permits are available at the camp store, the park office and anywhere Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) licenses are sold.

• Between the first Saturday in April to June 15 and from Sept. 16 to Oct. 31, the lake and stretches of Wilson Creek are stocked twice a week, water conditions permitting. A Virginia freshwater fishing license and a daily permit are required.
• When stocking is suspended between June 16 and September 15 only a Virginia Freshwater License is required.
• November 1 through the last weekend in March stocking continues on a random basis. A Virginia freshwater fishing license and a Virginia trout stamp are required.
• Wilson Creek Lower from the Bath-Alleghany County line downstream south to the end of park property is a category “C” stocked trout waters from October 1 through June 15. It is not stocked during the fee season regularly.

Special fishing rules applying to children:

• Children less than 16 years old don't need a license. Virginia residents under 13 may fish the entire park without a permit if under the direct supervision of an adult who has a fishing license and daily fishing permit, if applicable. Children 13 through 15 during fee season are required to have a daily permit. The combined creel limit for all children and adult fishing under that permit is six trout.

Call 434-525-FISH to hear VDWR's recorded message listing trout stocking activity. DWR administers fishing licenses and regulations; call 804-367-1000 or visit its license page for more information and fees.

Boating: Boat rentals are available Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

A boat launch ramp is available for guests with their own non-gasoline powered boat. No launching fee is charged, but boats must be moored in designated areas. Year-round boat storage is also available from the park for a fee. No gas-powered equipment is allowed on the lake.

ATTENTION: Clean plant debris, insects and mollusks (snails) from your boat and accessories before arriving at the park. Invasive species harm the lake by out-competing native species. Your vigilance ensures a quality fishing and recreational experience for you and future users of the park’s waters.

Douthat Lake is lowered for maintenance yearly in January and is raised back to normal depth by March 31. This impacts boating, fishing and the lake’s appearance. Fishing is allowed, but guests will be unable to fish from piers. Because the ramp at the north end of the lake is closed during this time, boating is not allowed.

Whenever Watersports Self-Serve Kayak Rentals

Single and tandem kayaks are available to rent for an expanded season through the Whenever Watersports app and kiosk. Find more details here.