Douthat State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Douthat State Park is located in the Alleghany Mountains of western Virginia and offers visitors a wide variety of recreational activities and scenic views.
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Summary
The park is situated on over 4,500 acres of land and includes a 50-acre lake, hiking trails, camping areas, and picnic areas. Some of the main reasons to visit the park include its beautiful natural surroundings, great camping facilities, and abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities.
One of the main points of interest at Douthat State Park is the lake, which offers fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities. Visitors can also explore the many hiking trails that wind through the park, including the Blue Suck Falls Trail and the Tuscarora Overlook Trail. There are also several picnic areas throughout the park, as well as a beach area for swimming.
Interesting facts about Douthat State Park include that it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as part of the New Deal, and that it was named for the Douthat family, who were early settlers in the area. The park has also been designated a National Natural Landmark because of its unique geologic formations.
The best time of year to visit Douthat State Park depends on what activities you are interested in. The summer months are great for swimming and boating on the lake, while the fall is a beautiful time to visit because of the changing leaves. Spring is also a great time to visit because of the wildflowers that bloom throughout the park. Overall, Douthat State Park is a wonderful destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to experience the beauty of Virginia's mountains.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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