(540) 643-2500
6620 Ben H. Bolen DriveDublin, VA 24084
Latitude: 37.057372
Longitude: -80.627394
Located on the 4,500-acre, 21-mile long Claytor Lake (from which the park was named) in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, Claytor Lake State Park offers a wide variety of activities for water and land enthusiasts. Easily accessible from Interstate 81, the park offers miles of hiking trails, swimming, camping, cabins and a visitor center. The visitor center is located in the historic Howe House.The lake and the park are named after Graham Claytor (1886-1971), who was vice president of Appalachian Power and supervised construction of the dam.From I-81, take Exit 101 (Claytor Lake) to State Park Road (State Route 660). State Park Road ends at the park’s entrance.
Outdoor Recreation Award for: Fishing, Picnic Areas
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Virginia State Parks Calendar
Bent Tree Trail
The Bent Tree Trail is a .75 mile easy loop that is accessible from both campsite D and from the overflow parking area across the road from the Meeting Center. The trail runs mainly through wooded terrain on a flat, smooth earth trail with minimal changes in elevation. Along this trail are several stops with outdoor fitness equipment such as pull up bars, parallel bars, and areas for doing specific types of exercises.
Blaze Color: White
- Length: 0.75
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Claytor Lake Trail
The Claytor Lake Trail is the parks longest trail at 1.6 miles and connects the cabin area to campground C. It can be accessed from both these places as well as well as from campground D and from the Poplar Leaf Trail which connects the Bent Tree Trail to the Claytor Lake Trail. Running mainly through the woods, the terrain is typically smooth and flat earth with occasional sections of natural river rock.
Blaze Color: Blue
- Length: 1.6
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Rock
Poplar Leaf Trail
The Poplar Leaf Trail is a 0.77 mile easy trail that connects the the Bent Tree Trail to the Claytor Lake Trail. The trail passes through wooded areas and creates a convenient link to the midpoint of the Claytor Lake Trail. Hikers may choose to create two loops by hiking this trail and returning from either the north or south portions of the Claytor Lake Trail.
Blaze Color: Orange
- Length: 0.77
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Shady Ridge Trail
The Shady Ridge Trail is a .66 mile interpretive loop that is accessible from both a trailhead near shelters 1, 2, and 5 as well as from the main park road, not far from the campground access or contact station. After a brief ascent up a grassy path from the picnic area, users come to a wooded loop that features numbered signs that correspond to an interpretive pamphlet available at the Visitor Center or park office.
Blaze Color: Red
- Length: 0.66
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth
Camping Area
The park offers extensive camping opportunities in its 4 campgrounds and cabin area. Campgrounds A, B, and C offer primitive camping and all have their own restroom and shower facilities. A dump station is located near C. Campground D, the southernmost campground accommodates RVs and other campers wishing to have electrical and water hookups. A bathhouse and dump station are located in D also as is access to some of the parks trails.
- Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Monday in December/N/A
- Fee: Park Fees
- Location:37° 03.6683 -80° 37.4516
Cabins
The park has cabins available for rent. Cabins 1-12 are two bedroom air conditioned cabins that sleep up to 6 people each. Cabins 13-16 are 3 and 6 bedroom lodges that can accommodate large extended families. Cabins 1, 6, and 7 are ADA accessible.Weekly rentals are required during prime season and start on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Two night minimum stay is required the rest of the year. However, in prime season guests who wish to stay less than a week may call 30 days prior to the desired arrival dy to see if there is vacancy for two-night minimum stay.
- Season/Hours: All Year/N/A
- Fee: Park Fees
- Location:37° 02.9933 -80° 37.6483
Beach Swimming Area
Swimming is available in Claytor Lake from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. The beach is the only place along the parks shore where swimming is allowed and deemed safe. The area has a diving tower, snack bar and gift shop. Times and days of operation vary prior to mid-June and after mid-August because of student labor availability. Swimming is free to overnight guests, but it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the parks control – e.g., inclement weather – require that swimming be halted. The park gives no refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.
- Season/Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day/All Day
- Fee: Park Fees
- Location:37° 03.2183 -80° 37.3916
Marina Meeting Facility
The Marina Meeting Center has a snack bar with a grill, and a camp store selling souvenirs and necessities. The large meeting/convention room that can hold over 100 people, restrooms, and a kitchen. This waterfront facility also has a long dock that runs along the shoreline where boaters may tie up while they spend a few hours in the park.
- Season/Hours: All Year/N/A
- Fee: Park Fees
- Location:37° 03.0933 -80° 37.3549
Marina
It has several dockslips for temporary (overnight) users, for seasonal and long term boat storage, and a few slips for the on site rental company, Claytor Lake Water Sports ((540) 731-8683) store some of its boats. Claytor Lake Watersports rents out both motorboats and kayaks. The marina has restrooms, gas pumps, and a small store where people may snacks and suppliesOpen: Memorial Day through Labor Day 8 A.M.-7 P.M., Friday through Sunday 8 A.M..-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. April 1 through Memorial Day weekend and from Labor Day through October, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.on Saturday and Sunday.
- Season/Hours: All Year/See Summary
- Fee: For rental pricing call Claytor Lake Watersports: (540) 731-8683
- Location:37° 03.3349 -80° 37.2866
Gazebo
Popular for weddings, it can be rented from all day from 6 A.M. to 8 P.M. Please note that gazebo rental times differ from those for picnic shelters. Parking and swimming fees are not included in the gazebo rental fee.
- Season/Hours: March 1 through the 1st Mo