Overview
Claytor Lake State Park is a 472-acre recreational property managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), situated along a 4,500-acre impoundment of the New River in Pulaski County, Virginia. The park provides approximately four miles of frontage on a lake that extends roughly 21 miles in length.
It functions year-round as a multi-use destination supporting boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, camping, and overnight stays in cabins, lodges, and yurts. The lake was formed in 1939 by the damming of the New River for electricity production and flood control.
Location & Hours
Address & Directions
6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive, Dublin, VA 24084, Pulaski County. The park is roughly 30 minutes from Blacksburg and approximately one hour from Roanoke.
From Interstate 81, take Exit 101 (Claytor Lake) to State Park Road (State Route 660), which leads directly to the park entrance.
Hours of Operation
| Facility / Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Park gates | 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily |
| Visitor Center (Howe House) | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily |
| Guarded beach swimming | Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; typically 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
| Beach snack bar, gift shop, gas dock | Daily through Labor Day |
| Quiet hours | 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. |
| Camping check-in / check-out | 4:00 p.m. / 1:00 p.m. |
| Cabin check-in / check-out | 4:00 p.m. / 10:00 a.m. |
Contact Information
Fees, Parking & Payment
Parking fees are required year-round. When an attendant is not present, visitors must use the self-payment envelopes or a credit-card QR code payment app (vasp.fun/Parking). Vehicles must be parked only in designated areas — failure to pay parking can result in a $25 ticket.
Swimming fees apply only during guarded hours. Pets staying in cabins incur a per-pet, per-night fee.
| Item | VA Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Electric & water campsite (per night) | $37 | $43 |
| Standard campsite (per night) | $27 | $32 |
| Reservation transaction fee | $5 (non-refundable) | $5 (non-refundable) |
| Shower for non-campers | $5 per person | $5 per person |
Park Rules & Regulations
- Hours & access: Park gates 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.; only registered overnight guests may remain after 10:00 p.m.
- Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m.–6:00 a.m.; generators are prohibited at all times.
- Preservation: Collecting plants or animals is prohibited without a permit; visitors are asked to "leave only footprints" and not feed wild animals.
- Drones: Operation of drones or other unmanned aerial vehicles is prohibited.
- Balloons: Releasing balloons is forbidden; any decorative balloons must be deflated and disposed of as trash.
- Fires: Confine fires to designated grills or fire rings and attend them at all times; only downed and dead firewood may be collected.
- Seasonal open-fire ban: Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from February 15 through April 30 between midnight and 4:00 p.m.
- Wastewater: Use dump stations or sinks; washing boats, RVs, or vehicles is prohibited.
- Campsite occupancy: Maximum of six people or one household per site; up to two camping units per site, only one of which may be axled.
Pet Policy
Pets are permitted but must be attended at all times and kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Owners must clean up after their pets. Pets are not allowed on designated swimming beaches. Pets are allowed in campgrounds and cabins (with a per-pet, per-night fee), but they are not allowed in yurts, except for service animals.
Special Events, Weddings & Group Activities
A Special Use Permit is required for group events involving amplified sound, catering, equipment rentals, or vendor deliveries. Wedding applications must be submitted more than 30 days before the event. Alcohol may be served at events only with an Alcoholic Beverage Control banquet license and must remain within the facility or on the deck; open flames and candles are not permitted.
Accessibility
Claytor Lake State Park provides multiple universally accessible facilities:
- A universally accessible fishing pier and an accessible fishing platform.
- ADA-compliant cabins numbered 1, 6, 7, and 13, and lodges numbered 14, 15, and 16.
- Cabin 13: three-bedroom, two-bath, with fireplace, HVAC, large eat-in kitchen, and ADA-compliant fishing access.
- A universally accessible yurt named "Osprey."
- An all-terrain electric wheelchair available for visitor use on specified trails — reservations can be directed to the park or the State Parks Customer Service Center.
Park Maps & Connectivity
The park provides a trail guide available as a paper guide, an Avenza map (geo-referenced and usable without cell signal once downloaded), and a downloadable geo-referenced PDF. DCR also publishes a dedicated campground map showing bathhouses, restrooms, parking lots, accessible facilities, and individual campsites.
Self-guided downloads include a Claytor Lake Self-Guided Activities Brochure, a Checklist of Mammals, a guide to Reptiles and Amphibians, and a Bird Field Checklist.
Cell phone service is reported to be available in most areas of the park. The Water's Edge Meeting Facility includes Wi-Fi as part of its event amenities. Because connectivity is not guaranteed across the entire park, DCR suggests downloading the Avenza map while you still have internet access.
Lodging, Camping & Group Facilities
Cabins & Lodges
The park offers 15 climate-controlled cabins (a mix of two- and three-bedroom options) and three six-bedroom, three-bathroom lodges, all with scenic lake views. Many cabins feature docks. Cabins are "housekeeping" style — furnished with kitchens (including appliances) and bathrooms; guests must provide their own linens. Cabins and lodges remain open year-round.
Yurts
Multiple DCR sources describe four recreational yurts located in the Birch Campground, available from April 1 through October 31, with one ("Osprey") being universally accessible. Yurt guests access the campground bathhouse. Pets are not permitted in yurts except for service animals.
Note: Some DCR sources describe "bunkhouses" instead of yurts. Contact the park office at 540-643-2500 to confirm current availability.
Camping
There are 103 campsites distributed across four campgrounds: Alder, Birch, Cedar, and Dogwood. Facilities vary by campground, with some sites offering water and electric hookups and accommodating RVs up to 40 feet. A group primitive tent-only site is also available. The park has a dump station, and bathhouses are distributed within the campground areas.
Water's Edge Meeting Facility & Gazebo
The Water's Edge Meeting Facility supports weddings, reunions, and meetings, accommodating 70–100 guests with amenities including a multi-media projector, kitchen facilities, and Wi-Fi. An outdoor Gazebo accommodates up to 125 guests. Tours can be arranged by contacting the park office.
| Accommodation Type | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cabins (2- and 3-bedroom) | 15 | Lake views; ADA cabins 1, 6, 7, 13 |
| 6-bedroom lodges | 3 | ADA lodges 14, 15, 16; lake views |
| Yurts (Birch Campground) | 4 | Apr 1–Oct 31; "Osprey" is accessible |
| Campgrounds | 4 / 103 sites | Hookups vary; RVs to 40 ft |
Reservations
Overnight facilities can be reserved up to 11 months in advance, online or via the Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275.
Water Recreation
Marina & Boating
The park operates a full-service marina with docking slips, fuel, supplies, and refreshments. A boat launch is on site, and boat slip rentals are offered. Mooring at docks is limited; boats that cannot be tied to a dock must be removed from the water.
Private operators offering rentals and water-sports services include:
- Claytor Lake Water Sports — boat rentals, operating daily through Labor Day.
- Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard Company — paddleboard rentals, gear, lessons, and boat delivery to guest docks. Phone: 540-980-1488.
Rental options include pontoons, ski boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards.
Swimming
The park's sandy beach has a roped-off designated swimming area. Guarded swimming is offered for a fee from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; outside guarded hours, swimming is allowed at the visitor's own risk. Pets are prohibited on designated swimming beaches.
Fishing
Claytor Lake is a premier sport-fishing destination. Species include smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass; striped bass and hybrid striped bass; catfish; muskie; and walleye. The lake is a primary destination in Virginia for hybrid striped bass.
A valid Virginia freshwater fishing license is required for anglers over 16. Licenses can be purchased at the marina when open or at the park office during the off-season. The park has an accessible fishing pier and platform.
Winter fishing is specifically promoted: striped bass become more active as water temperatures drop below 55°F, providing a strong cold-weather angling draw.
Boating Cautions & November Drawdown
The lake level may be lowered in November for maintenance, which can affect boat launching and shoreline fishing. Visitors planning fall trips should verify the current pool level with the park before traveling.
For on-water emergencies, call 911. For disabled but safe situations, anchor and contact a local marina or professional marine towing service. BoatUS (TowBoatUS) maintains a U.S.-wide network — check the BoatUS Service Locator to confirm whether a captain is active on Claytor Lake.
Land Recreation
Trails
The park maintains approximately seven miles of trails distributed across six trails, open to hikers and mountain bikers. Trails are rated easy to moderate, winding through mature oak–hickory–poplar forests. The all-terrain electric wheelchair available at the park supports access to specified trails.
Ranger-Led & Self-Guided Programs
Programming includes:
- Survival 101 – Fire Starting
- Spider Science & Web Walk
- Friday Night Fishing
- History tours at the Howe House
- Animal feedings and welcome campfires
- Geocaching and Junior Ranger activities
- Seasonal fall foliage hayrides
Self-guided materials include the activities brochure, mammal checklist, reptile and amphibian guide, and bird field checklist.
Playgrounds, Picnic Areas & Visitor Center
The park features playgrounds and picnic facilities as core day-use amenities. The visitor center inside the historic Howe House features hands-on interpretive exhibits about lake ecology, fish life, and local history.
Wildlife & Natural History
The park supports wildlife viewing through downloadable checklists, including mammals, reptiles and amphibians, and a bird field checklist. Forest cover is dominated by mature oak–hickory–poplar stands along the trails.
The sport fishery — smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass; striped and hybrid striped bass; catfish; muskie; and walleye — anchors the lake's biological identity for visitors.
Historical & Cultural Features
Howe House (Visitor Center)
The Howe House is a historic 1870s structure that today serves as the park's visitor center, offering interactive exhibits on lake ecology and area history. Activity guides and wildlife checklists are distributed from this location.
Dunkard's Bottom & the Christian Chimney
Near the Howe House, the park preserves a reconstructed hybrid chimney monument commemorating the first settlement west of the New River, established in 1745. The Christian Chimney was originally constructed circa 1785, served as a landmark for boaters after Claytor Lake reached full pond in 1940, and was relocated near the park office in 1989.
Crescent Falls Cattle Ranch
According to DCR's historical interpretation, the Howe family operated a 2,000-acre cattle ranch on what is now park land — the Crescent Falls Cattle Ranch.
Virtual Then-and-Now History Tour
DCR provides a "Virtual Then and Now History Tour" that pairs historical photographs and videos with map points to illustrate how the landscape has changed over time.
Nearby Attractions
Wilderness Road Regional Museum (Newbern)
Located at 5240 Wilderness Road, Newbern, VA — less than ten minutes from the park. Owned and operated by the New River Historical Society since 1980, the museum complex incorporates two historic Hance-Alexander family homes, a detached kitchen, granary, loom house, and an 1818 barn.
Permanent and rotating exhibits include:
- "Into the Wilderness" — the history of the Wilderness Road and westward expansion.
- Hance Store Exhibit — a recreation of Henry Hance's early-19th-century store, featuring the original store ledger (recognized as a "Top 10 Endangered Artifact" by the Virginia Association of Museums).
- History of Agriculture in Pulaski County — housed in the 1818 barn.
Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Living-history events include Founders Day celebrations, historical lectures, craft workshops, and boat tours.
New River Trail State Park
A 57-mile rail-trail popular with hikers, bicyclists, and horseback riders.
Historic Draper
Anchored by the Draper Mercantile, a restored 1883 general store that serves as a cultural hub with local merchandise and events.
Harry DeHaven Park
Features the no-fee Harry's Point boat ramp and a handicap-accessible fishing pier — a nearby public access point identified by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Other Regional Points of Interest
- Radford Army Ammunition Plant (facility tours)
- Pulaski County Courthouse
- Blacksburg Farmers Market
Seasonal Considerations, Weather & Climate
Year-Round Operation
The park operates year-round. Summer is peak season for swimming and boating, with the beach snack bar, gift shop, gas dock, and guarded swimming all keyed to Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter remains viable: cold-weather hiking, wildlife viewing, stargazing, and striped-bass fishing are promoted.
Key seasonal calendar notes:
- November lake drawdown: The lake may be lowered for maintenance, affecting boat launching and shoreline fishing.
- Feb 15 – Apr 30 open-fire ban: Open fires prohibited park-wide between midnight and 4:00 p.m.
- Yurts: Available April 1 through October 31.
- Claytor Lake Festival: Typically held in June.
Climate & Weather
The park sits at approximately 1,865–1,900 feet elevation with a temperate climate and distinct seasonal transitions. Typical June conditions include average highs near 78°F and average lows around 55°F.
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Average June high | 78°F |
| Average June low | 55°F |
| All-time record high | 98°F (July 1, 2012) |
| All-time record low | −6°F (January 17, 2009) |
Events & Programs
Virginia State Parks maintains a dynamic, searchable event database. Users can filter by park, date range, and event category to view current offerings at Claytor Lake.
Identified recurring categories:
- Annual Claytor Lake Festival — typically held in June.
- Ranger-led programs: Survival 101, Spider Science & Web Walk, Friday Night Fishing, Howe House history tours, animal feedings, welcome campfires.
- Family programming: Junior Ranger activities, geocaching, history and culture programs.
- Seasonal special activities: Fall foliage hayrides and more.
For event hosting, the Water's Edge Meeting Facility (capacity 70–100) and Gazebo lawn (up to 125) are the principal venues. Special Use Permits required at least 30 days in advance.
Safety & Emergency Services
General Emergency Protocol
For all emergencies inside the park, call 911. The park office (540-643-2500) handles non-emergency questions and coordination.
Hospital — Nearest Emergency Department
LewisGale Hospital Pulaski operates a 24/7 emergency department at 2400 Lee Highway, Pulaski, VA 24301. It is an American College of Cardiology-accredited Chest Pain Center and supports a "FastTrack ER" service for non-life-threatening conditions. Real-time ER wait times are posted on the HCA Virginia website.
Urgent Care
EZCare Walk-In Medical Center, 5275 Alexander Road, Dublin, VA 24084. Phone: (540) 307-5597. Hours: Mon–Sat 8:00 a.m.–7:45 p.m.; Sun 8:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m. Services include same-day treatment, physicals, digital X-rays, labs, and COVID/RSV testing.
Law Enforcement
- Pulaski County Sheriff's Office: Emergency 911 · Main line: (540) 980-7800.
- Virginia State Police Division Four: 1186 East Lee Highway, Wytheville, VA 24382. Covers Pulaski County among 15 counties.
Quick-Reference Essential Contacts
| Service | Contact |
|---|---|
| All emergencies | 911 |
| Park office | 540-643-2500 |
| VA State Parks reservations | 800-933-PARK (7275) |
| LewisGale Hospital Pulaski (24/7 ER) | (540) 994-8100 |
| Consult-A-Nurse | (844) 706-8773 |
| EZCare Walk-In, Dublin | (540) 307-5597 |
| Pulaski County Sheriff | (540) 980-7800 |
| Mountain 2 Island Paddleboard Co. | 540-980-1488 |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988, press 1 (or text 838255) |
Dining, Groceries & Supplies
Within the park, on-site food, fuel, and supply options are concentrated at the marina and beach areas. The full-service marina provides docking slips, fuel, supplies, and refreshments. A beach snack bar, gift shop at the Water's Edge, and gas dock operate daily through Labor Day.
Bait, tackle, and fishing licenses are obtainable at the marina (when open) or at the park office during the off-season.
For off-park dining, groceries, gas stations, and bait shops, contact the Pulaski County tourism office at visitpulaskiva.org.