Claytor Lake State Park

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Cabins Camping

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Swimming Trails Fishing, Boating Hunting Horses

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GENERAL INFO: Located on the 4,500-acre, 21-mile long Claytor Lake in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, Claytor Lake State Park offers a wide variety of activities for water and land enthusiasts. The park also has an excellent marina and meeting facility, Water's Edge.

Easily accessible from Interstate 81, the park offers swimming, camping, cabins, lodges, a meeting facility, nature and history programs, miles of hiking trails, 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.

AT-A-GLANCE: The pictographs directly below show park offerings. Click on those of interest or read below for more detail. Mouse-over the image for a short text description or click here to view a legend in which each pictograph's meaning is expressed.

Map: Park Location for Claytor Lake LOCATION: From I-81, take Exit 101 (Claytor Lake) to State Park Road (State Route 660). State Park Road ends at the park's entrance.

Drive Time : Northern Virginia, 5 hours; Richmond, 4 hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, 5 hours; Roanoke, 1 hour

Click here for a Google map.

PARK MAP: Here in PDF form is a map of the park. You'll need a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the map.

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES: Cabins and camping. For information on availability of 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. Cabin check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.

Click here to visit a Flickr photoset of typical cabins and lodges at the park. Cabins and lodges vary; any given dwelling may not match what's shown in the photos.

Click here for details on reservation cancellation and transfer policies. A fee is charged per pet per night for overnight stays.

Cabins

Cabins 1-12: Two-bedroom, one bathroom, waterview; cabins 1, 6 and 7 are handicapped accessible.

Maximum occupancy: six
Weekly rentals for cabins 1-6 start on Saturday and cabins 7-12 start on Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Cabin check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
Cabins have rustic furniture and are climate controlled (heat and air conditioning). You may want to bring food, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, board games or cards, extra bath towels, washcloths and dish towels. The cabins have no dishwasher, phone, TV, washer or dryer.
Cell phone service is available in most of the park.
Kitchen: refrigerator, stove, drip coffeemaker, dishes, dish cloth, dishwashing liquid, dish towel, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, oven mitt, pot holder, microwave oven and toaster.
Living area: loveseat, chairs and dining table.
Bedrooms: nightstands, clock radios, sheets, bedspread, pillows, pillowcases and blankets. Cabins are set up to sleep four, but up to six can stay with rental of additional beds.
- One bedroom has a full size bed.
- Second bedroom has two twin size beds.
One towel and one washcloth per person are provided for six. Another towel and washcloth are provided with the rental of an extra bed.
Cabins have a fireplace. The park provides one bundle of complimentary firewood. Extra firewood is available for a nominal fee. Please do not bring your own as it may have insects that could harm the park's trees.
Screened-in porch with rocking chairs.
Patio with benches.
Picnic table and a charcoal pedestal grill in the yard beside the cabin.
Late arrivals: During mid and off season, those arriving after 4 p.m. will find cabin access information in the "late arrival box" by the cabin door.
Out of respect for other cabin guests, camping and large family gatherings are not allowed in the cabin area.
Two vehicles per cabin. All others are charged the parking fee.
Cabin guests use boat launch free. There are three small boat docks located in the cabin area (between cabins 1 and 2, behind cabin 4 and behind cabin 10) for cabin guests to use free of charge. They are first-come, first-served. Overnight boat slips are available at the park marina for a fee.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Visitors are charged the daily parking and swimming fees; visitors must park in area designated by the park.
No smoking.
Recycle bins for aluminum and plastic bottles are at the entrance to the cabin area and other areas of the park.

Cabin 13: Three-bedroom, two-bathroom, wood-framed cabin with waterview; handicapped accessible.

Maximum occupancy: eight
Weekly rental starts on Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Cabin check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
The kitchen, dining area, living room, one bedroom and one bathroom are handicapped accessible.
Cabins have rustic furniture and have heat and air conditioning. Bring food, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, board games or cards, extra bath towels, washcloths and dish towels. The cabin has no dishwasher, phone, TV, washer or dryer.
Cell phone service is available in most of the park.
Kitchen: refrigerator, stove, drip coffeemaker, dishes, dish cloth, dishwashing liquid, dish towel, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, oven mitt, pot holder, microwave oven and toaster.
Living area: sofa, chairs and dining table.
Bedrooms: nightstand, clock radio, sheet, bedspread, pillows, pillowcases and blankets. No extra bed rentals.
- One bedroom has a queen size bed.
- One bedroom has two twin size beds.
- One bedroom has two sets of bunk beds (this room sleeps four people).
One towel and one washcloth per person are provided for eight people.
Cabin has a fireplace. The park provides one bundle of complimentary firewood. Extra firewood is available for a nominal fee. Please do not bring your own as it may have insects that could harm the park's trees.
No smoking.
Wrap-around deck; open porch with rocking chairs.
Picnic table and a charcoal pedestal grill in the yard beside the cabin.
Late arrivals: During mid and off season, those arriving after 4 p.m. will find cabin access information in the "late arrival box" by the cabin door.
Out of respect for other cabin guests, camping and large family gatherings are not allowed in the cabin area.
Three vehicles per cabin. Cabin 13 has six parking spots and one for a boat trailer, but only three vehicles can be parked for free. Parking fees apply to additional vehicles. Additional parking is very limited and may be unavailable near the cabin.
Cabin guests use the boat launch free.
There is a first-come, first-served boat dock nearby, across from cabin 15. There's no cost for cabin guests. Overnight slips are available at the marina for a fee.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Visitors are charged the daily parking and swimming fees; visitors must park in area designated by the park.
Recycle bins for aluminum and plastic bottles are located in the vicinity of cabin #1 and other areas of the park.

Lodges: Lodges 14, 15 and 16: Six-bedroom, three-bathroom, waterview; handicapped accessible.

Maximum occupancy: 16
Weekly rental for cabins 14 and 15 start on Friday and on Sunday for cabin 16 between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Cabin check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
Handicapped accessible: kitchen, dining area, living room, one bedroom and one bath.
Lodges have rustic furniture and have heat and air conditioning. Bring food, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, board games or cards, extra bath towels, washcloths and dish towels. The lodges have a washer and dryer but no phone or TV.
Cell phone service is available in most of the park.
Kitchen: refrigerator, stove, drip coffeemaker, dishes, dish cloth, dishwashing liquid, dish towel, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, oven mitt, pot holder, microwave oven and toaster.
Living area: sofa, chairs and dining table. There is a fireplace with gas logs.
No smoking.
Bedrooms: nightstand, clock radio, sheets, bedspread, pillows, pillowcases and blankets. No extra bed rentals. One bedroom and one bathroom is handicapped accessible
- Two bedrooms have queen sized beds.
- Two bedrooms have two twin size beds.
- Two bedrooms have two sets of bunk beds (each room sleeps four people).
One towel and one washcloth per person are provided for 16 people.
One open porch on front and second open porch on back of lodge with rocking chairs.
Picnic table and a gas grill provided.
Late arrivals: During mid and off season, those arriving after 4 p.m. will find cabin access information in the "late arrival box" by the cabin door.
Camping is not allowed in the cabin and lodge area.
Maximum six cars and one additional boat trailer parking space per lodge. Parking fees apply to additional vehicles. Additional parking is very limited and may be unavailable near the lodge.
There is a first-come, first-served boat dock nearby, across from cabin 15. There's no cost for cabin guests. Overnight slips are available at the marina for a fee.
Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m. Visitors are charged the daily parking and swimming fees; visitors must park in area designated by the park.
Recycle bins for aluminum and plastic bottles are in the vicinity of cabin 1 and in other areas of the park.

Total sites of each type: 2-bedroom cinderblock waterview, 12. 3-bedroom wood-frame waterview, 1. 6-bedroom wood-frame lodge, 3.

Site types:

2-bedroom cinderblock waterview – two bedrooms, one bathroom, typically sleeps up to four (one full size bed, two twin size beds). Maximum occupancy is six people with bed rentals.

3-bedroom wood-frame waterview - three bedrooms, two bathrooms, sleeps up to eight, one queen bed, two twin beds in second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (room sleeps four) in third bedroom; no bed rentals

6-bedroom wood-frame lodge – six bedrooms, three bathrooms, sleeps up to 16, handicapped accessible, two queen size beds in two bedrooms, two single beds in two bedrooms, two sets of bunk beds each in two bedrooms (sleeps four in each room); no bed rentals

Camping

Vehicles: At campsites, two vehicles per site in addition to camping unit. All others are charged the standard parking fee. Camping guests may use the boat launch for up to two boats at no additional charge.
Campsites have recently been renovated for guest comfort and park resource protection. All equipment and vehicles must be kept within the site bordered by 6 x 6 inch timbers. Additional vehicles must be parked in the lot adjacent to the campground contact station or in the Campground D parking lot.
Visitors to overnight guests must leave the park by 10 p.m. and are charged the normal parking fee.
Each campsite has a fire ring type with a metal grill. All rest on the ground and can be used for campfires.
Firewood is available for a small fee. Please do not bring your own as it may have insects that could harm the park's trees.
Electric-water sites accept 20 and 30 amp current.
Campground D: Accommodates large RV units (up to 35 feet) as indicated on site chart. Water and electric hookups (REWA) except in March and November when there is electricity but no water. Also, in April and late October, availability of water depends on the weather. There are no sewer hook-ups, but there is a dump station. The area is sparsely wooded and mostly flat. Most large RV sites are pull-through. Restroom is handicapped accessible.
Campgrounds A, B and C: Will accommodate a mix of equipment; however, mostly tents and small trailers up to 20 feet long. No hookups for electric and water. Campgrounds are mostly wooded. Terrain varies from level to hilly.

Total sites of each type: STD, 70; E/W, 40

Site type:

STD - Various equipment up to 20 feet; campgrounds A, B, & C. No hookups.
E/W - Various equipment up to 35 feet. Cold weather may affect the availability of water - see above.

Total campsites: 110

Camping Lodge: The park has one camping lodge (bunkhouse) for rent. It's in Campground A. The camping lodge has a covered front porch and a small deck behind it. Two-night minimum stay; no weekly requirement.

The transfer deadline and cancellation and pet fees are the same as those for cabins.

Maximum occupancy: 14
Available only during camping season for campground A (the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day).
It is not sold 11 months in advance; it goes online in January each year.
Check-in is 3 p.m., check-out is 10 a.m.
The camping lodge is a two-room, climate-controlled trailer. There are seven sets of bunk beds as well as a refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot.
Linens are not provided. Guests must bring their own linens and pillows.
Guests are responsible for any damage.
No bathroom, kitchen or fireplace.
No cooking or smoking permitted in the camping lodge.
Firewood is available for a small fee. Please do not bring your own as it may have insects that could harm the park's trees.
Five vehicles are permitted with the rental of the camping lodge. All others are charged the standard parking fee. Parking is available at the camping lodge for four vehicles only; the fifth vehicle must park in the campground overflow parking lot.
Electrical outlets are available but limited to 50-amp service.
There are two picnic tables and a charcoal grill outside.

SWIMMING: Note: From mid-August through Labor Day, swimming may be unavailable on some weekdays. Please call the park for details. Swimming is available in Claytor Lake from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. 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 cannot be permitted when lifeguards aren't on duty.) Swimming is free to overnight guests, but it cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park’s control - e.g., inclement weather or lack of lifeguard - require that swimming be halted. The park gives no refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances. Free wi-fi is available in the immediate vicinity of the beach bathhouse. Click here for park fees.

TRAILS: About four miles of hiking trails with easy to moderate ratings are open year-round. Plant life is predominantly representative of a mature oak-hickory-poplar forest. Extensive reforestation is ongoing. White-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels and other species are common.

FISHING, BOATING: Motorboats permitted. Bass, catfish, muskie, walleye and striped bass are among the popular sport fish found in the lake. A valid Virginia fishing license is required. Licenses may be purchased at the Water's Edge gift shop when it's open or at the park office during off-season. See concessions below for details on boat slip rental.

The park and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries recently installed various fish attractors to improve fishing for both shoreline and boating anglers. Click here (PDF) for a map showing locations.

A private concessionaire, Claytor Lake WaterSports, rents many types of boats, conducts interpretive lake tours and has water sports packages available at the park. Call (540) 731-8683 or visit www.claytorlakewatersports.com for details or to make reservations.

Each year in November, the lake is drawn down approximately five feet for maintenance. During this period, usually two weeks, it may be impossible to launch boats from the Claytor Lake boat launch, and fishing from the shore is difficult. There is a public boat launch just outside the park from which guests may be able to launch unless they have particularly large boats. The lake level will return to normal over time depending on rain.

Annual parking-launching passports are available by calling 1-800-933-PARK.

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.

HUNTING: Click here to learn about this park's hunting opportunities.

HORSES: None at this park, but horse rental is available at New River Trail State Park, which is about 30 minutes away.

PARKS CALENDAR OF EVENTS: Celebration of Summer, second weekend after Memorial Day - click here to see a Flickr slide show of the 2009 event. Claytor Lake Fourth of July. Back to School Beach Bash, late August. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

VISITOR CENTER, GIFT SHOP: Located in the historic Howe House, the visitor center is open daily during the summer season. New exhibits concentrate on lake ecology and fish life. Interactive hands-on exhibits. Open daily 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. You'll find the park's gift shop in the Water's Edge Meeting Facility complex.

NATURE, HISTORY PROGRAMS: Lake Ecology Tours, summer-long. National Trails Day, early June. Stewardship Virginia, mid-September. Click here to view park events, festivals, workshops and interpretive programs.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER: Many interpretive programs and guided walks are offered Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Guided hikes, guest speakers/entertainers, evening programs, and special events are held in the park. Schedules are posted in the park weekly. Programs address astronomy, wildlife, geology, lake ecology, forestry and many others.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS: Wilderness Road Regional Museum; New River Trail State Park; Glencoe Museum; Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley; Smithfield Plantation; Cascades waterfall; Huckleberry Trail; tubing at New River Junction; Randolph Park; Claytor Lake Water Sports; Pulaski Mariners baseball; Motor Mile Speedway; Motor Mile Dragway; Galewinds Amusement Park and Raceway; Dixie Caverns; Wytheville; Wytheville Community Center.

PICNIC SHELTERS: Picnic areas include grills, drinking water and restroom facilities. Several restrooms and shelters are handicap accessible. Seven picnic shelters are available for rent through the reservation center by calling 1-800-933-7275. Shelter capacity varies from 30 to 100 people.

Seven shelters are available for rent. Large and small shelters are available. Shelters can be rented from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (all day). Parking and swimming fees are not included in the shelter rental fee. The park also offers for rent a special gazebo, which is quite popular for weddings. Click here for park fees.

Cancellation policy: No refund within 14 days before reserved date. Before then, there's a cancellation fee.

Shelter #1 (large): Shelter can accommodate 100 people. Handicapped accessible. A restroom is about 140 feet from shelter, a. large parking area is approximately 120 feet away, and the lake is roughly 140 feet away. Sidewalk from parking area to shelter with handicap ramp to shelter. Shelter overlooks lake and is shaded. Small open area beneath shelter next to lake for games. Features electrical outlet, water spigot, two horseshoe pits (guests must bring their own horseshoes) and two fireplace grills on one side of shelter. No lights.
Shelter #2 (small): Shelter can accommodate 30-40 people under the shelter. A restroom is about 470 feet from shelter, a. large parking area is approximately 125 feet away, and the lake is roughly 65 feet away. There's no sidewalk to shelter, which has the best view of the lake. The shelter, however, is not shaded. Has level area for games. Features electric outlet, water spigot, horseshoe pit (guests must bring their own horseshoes), one fireplace grill on end of shelter and two pedestal grills (one on each end of shelter). No lights.
Shelter #3 (small): Shelter can accommodate 30-40 people under the shelter. Steep terrain to shelter from parking lot, therefore it is least liked by elderly guests. Restroom is about 140 feet from shelter. Small parking area about 260 feet from shelter. No sidewalk to shelter. Has nice view of cove and only 30 feet from water’s edge and is semi-shaded. No flat area in immediate vicinity for games. Features electrical outlet, water spigot, horseshoe pit (guests must bring their own horseshoes) and two pedestal grills on one side of shelter. Closest shelter to swimming area. No lights.
Shelter #4 (small): Shelter can accommodate 30-40 people under the shelter. Handicap accessible. A restroom is about 220 feet from shelter, a. large parking area is approximately 140 feet away, and the lake is roughly 354 feet away, across the park road. Has level sidewalk from parking area to shelter. Does not have view of lake but is shaded. No flat area in immediate vicinity for games. Features electrical outlets, water spigot, horseshoe pit (guests must bring their own horseshoes) and two pedestal grills (one on end and one on side of shelter). No lights.
Shelter #5 (large): Shelter can accommodate 80-100 people under the shelter. Restroom is about 230 feet from shelter. Favorite of guests with children because of it’s close proximity to our playground equipment (144 feet). A parking area is only 25 feet from shelter, and the lake is about 320 feet away. No sidewalk from parking area to shelter. Has partial view of lake and is not shaded. Has large level area for games. Features electrical outlets, water spigot, horseshoe pit (guests must bring their own horseshoes). Close to playground and has two pedestal grills (one on each end of shelter). No lights.
Shelter #6 (small): Available only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The shelter accommodates up to 30. It's attached to the beach bathhouse; the shelter has no electricity or water. Guests may use the bathhouse restroom. The fire-grill is a few feet from the actual shelter.
Shelter #7 (small): Available only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The shelter accommodates up to 30. It's attached to the beach bathhouse; the shelter has no electricity or water. Guests may use the bathhouse restroom. The fire-grill is a few feet from the actual shelter.

ACCESSIBILITY:

Picnic shelters 1 and 4
Picnic area restrooms near shelters 1 and 4
Fishing pier and walkway: The handicap accessible fishing pier and ¼-mile walkway are located in picnic area 1. There is also a wheelchair accessible, small picnic shelter located adjacent to the trail. (Picnic area 1 is closed Nov. 1 through April 30.)
Beach/beach bathhouse: Restrooms, concession area and breezeways of the beach bathhouse are accessible. There is a rather long sidewalk connecting the bathhouse to the beach; the sidewalk meets accessibility standards. The sidewalk ends at a concrete platform adjacent to the water, however, there is no ramp into the water or transfer equipment.
Cabins: Cabins 1, 6 and 7 have been modified to better accommodate handicapped visitors. This includes level entry to exterior doors, modified interior door widths, renovated restrooms and kitchens, and widened exterior doors. Cabins 13, 14, 15 and 16 are also handicapped accessible.
Campgrounds: Campground D's restroom is accessible. Two campsites have been improved to better accommodate handicapped visitors.
The Water’s Edge Meeting Facility has handicap parking spaces and a sidewalk that leads directly to the front entrance and deck. The meeting room, restrooms, gift shop and snack bar are handicapped accessible.
Discovery Center: The Discovery Center is accessible through the rear door of the Howe House. A concrete sidewalk connects the designated parking area and entrance.
Parking lots: Handicap parking spaces are designated at the beach, marina, visitor center (visitor center is not accessible) and two picnic areas.
Although motorized vehicles are not permitted on park trails, electric powered wheelchairs and electric scooters that meet the federal definition for wheelchairs are allowed to enable people with disabilities to use the trails.

SPECIAL FEATURES: Claytor Lake’s Water’s Edge Marina Meeting Facility. To reserve, call 1-800-933-7275. This is a day-use facility. Please see information below about the special wedding package, which includes rental of the gazebo.

Here's a collection of photos of the facility.

Full day (8 a.m.-10 p.m.)
Wedding/Event Package: Two consecutive days' rental, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Linens are not included in rental package; chairs and tables only provided.
Meeting Package: Three consecutive days' rental from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Includes audiovisual equipment. Linens are not included. Chairs and tables are provided.
Free wi-fi is available in the meeting facility.
The facility also has a spacious deck that is included. The deck enables more opportunities for weddings, family reunions and other gatherings. The deck is not available apart from the meeting facility; it is not rented on its own. With an approved ABC license, alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the meeting room or on the deck within reserved areas. Access to the deck is restricted from only the meeting room exits during rental. Signs and roped barriers are placed along the deck to restrict public access. Please call the park, (540) 643-2500, or email claytorlake@dcr.virginia.gov for more detail.

Facilities and Rules

Kitchen: Refrigerator, freezer, coffee pot, two 6-foot stainless steel tables and microwave-convection oven. No cookware, utensils, serving containers, flatware, dishes or paper products.
Tables and chairs available (no charge). Guests should call the park to manage seating at least two weeks before the event.
- Auditorium style seating for 125 people
- Classroom style seating for 90 people
- Banquet style seating for 72 people (round banquet tables)
Podium, tables and chairs are included at no extra charge. No linens provided. There are 30 six-foot by 18-inch rectangular tables, four six-foot by 30-inch rectangular tables, 15 five-foot round tables, and 150 blue upholstered chairs.
A rental Terms of Agreement form must be read and signed before the date of the event.
The serving of alcoholic beverages requires an Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) banquet license, which the customer must get through the local ABC office. Customers are responsible for obtaining the license if they plan on serving any alcoholic beverages. Information and forms for this license can be obtained from the local ABC office. The process may take as long as a month so allow enough time for the licensing process. ABC permits must be presented to park staff prior to the event. All consumption of alcoholic beverages during an officially licensed banquet must occur within the meeting room or on the deck within the reserved area.
Decorations are permitted but cannot be attached to painted surfaces, cannot damage the facility in any way and must be removed when the event ends. Renters will be responsible for damages and any excess cleaning of the facility required after the event.
Paint, glue and glitter cannot be used here. Any such use will result in an additional clean-up fee. Open flames, such as candles, also are not permitted.
Meeting facility renters are exempt from parking fees if they identify themselves at the park contact station.
Equipment rentals available at an additional fee:
- 50” plasma HDTV with VCR/DVD
- Multi-media projector
- Overhead projector
- Projection screen
- Easels (2)
- Flip charts (2)

Cancellation Policy

Reservations must be paid in full within 14 days of the date the reservation is made. Cancellations can be made up until 14 days prior to the start of the reservation for a 10 percent cancellation fee or $100, whichever is less. Within 14 days prior to the start of the reservation date, a 30 percent cancellation fee is charged.

Wedding Package Options; Claytor Lake State Park Gazebo

Popular for weddings, it can be rented all day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. This is not a picnic shelter - click here for details on Claytor Lake's picnic shelters. Parking and swimming fees are not included in the gazebo rental fee. Click here for park fees.

Closest picnic shelters are #3 and #5; they are within walking distance.

When you reserve the gazebo, we like to make sure that you do not have any surprises on your special day. Therefore, please carefully read the following.

A special use permit is required for all weddings at the park. There is a nominal fee for a special use permit, and the application can be obtained online or at the park.
When you reserve the gazebo, you are just reserving the gazebo structure itself, not the entire area around it, although you can use the area around it. There may be onlookers, fisherman, boaters, sunbathers, etc., in the vicinity of the gazebo, and these people also may end up in your pictures. This is not for you if you wish to have a private wedding.
The brick house near the gazebo is not included in the rental of the gazebo. There are no extra rooms in the house to change clothes. There are public restrooms in the basement of the brick house, however, the restroom doors do not lock and the general public will be using them. Also, there are no electrical outlets in the bathroom. There are also no extra rooms in the house to store any items (i.e., wedding cakes, flowers, etc.). You are not allowed to use the brick house for your wedding ceremony or the reception, even if it rains.
We do not set up the wedding for you. You are responsible for providing your own chairs, decorations, invitations, etc. You are allowed to decorate the gazebo, however you cannot use any nails, thumbtacks or any other item that may damage the wood. We do not have any chairs to borrow.
No alcoholic beverages allowed (even champagne).

CONCESSIONS: Gas dock, gift shop and snack bar

Days of operation:

Daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day
Saturdays and Sundays, April 1 through Memorial Day weekend and from Labor Day through October
When the gas dock is not staffed, self-serve gasoline sales are available when purchased with a MasterCard or Visa.

Services: Boat slip rental, launch ramp (no charge to overnight guests), gasoline sales, fishing supplies and licenses, camp store, boat rentals available through Claytor Lake Water Sports, [(540) 731-8685 or (540) 674-5678], and a gift shop. Long-term boat slips are available by calling the park at (540) 643-2500. Overnight dock rentals are available and can be obtained only by calling the Reservation Center at 1-800-933-PARK, Monday through Friday. Boats can be no longer than 24 feet; half-slips may be rented for boats seven or fewer feet wide but those with boats from from seven to fourteen feet wide must rent whole boat slips. There's a per slip cancellation fee. Check-in is 3 p.m., check out is 2 p.m. There's a 14-night maximum stay limit; the boat must be removed once that limit is reached.

LAUNDRY: Closest laundromat is three miles from the park in the Lancer Travel Plaza.

RESTAURANT: None.

HISTORY: Claytor Lake was formed when Appalachian Power Company built a dam on the New River, just south of Radford, in 1939. This is the largest of the power company's 12 hydroelectric plants, with a total generating capacity of 83,000 kilowatts. In early 1944, the people of the surrounding area expressed an interest in the establishment of a state park on the new lake. The idea continued to grow and in 1946 private citizens and businesses from Pulaski, Radford and Blacksburg raised the money needed to purchase 437 acres from Appalachian Power. This land was given to the state to be developed as Claytor Lake State Park. Due to a lack of operating funds, the Radford Chamber of Commerce operated the park during the summers of 1949 and 1950. The Division of State Parks took over the operation of the park in 1951. In 1962, 35 additional acres were purchased, bringing the total acreage to 472.