Claytor Lake State Park, a Virginia State Park near Christiansburg, Fairlawn, Pulaski

Claytor Lake State Park

Facilities and Activities:

Day-Use	Fishing	yes
	Hiking Trail, miles	yes
	Picnicking	yes

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State Park Photo Gallery:
volunteer positions open

State Park Event Calendar:
volunteer positions open

Nearby Parks:
Jefferson National Forest

State Park Contact Information:
	Claytor Lake State Park 4400 State Park Road Dublin, 24094-5643
Adopt-A-Park Contacts:
	Yogi's Helper: volunteer positions open Nature Programs: volunteer positions open Photography: volunteer positions open

State Park Overview:

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 features the only full service marina in the state park system. In addition, there are miles of hiking trails, swimming, camping facilities, 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.

Reviews By Park Visitors:

visitor rating:

(1 vote) |Post Your Own Review

Great Family Fun

This campgrounds was very clean the bathhouses were excellently taken care of. We plan to stay at this friendly park many more times.Everyone was friendly from the camp host and most of all the poeple who checked us in. Great job to all of you.

Written by TR from Orlando 26-Jul-2008

Trails:

About three miles of hiking trails are open year-round. Plant life is predominantly representative of a mature oak-hickory forest. Extensive reforestation is ongoing. White-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels and other species are common.

Picnicking:

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), or 6a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. (half day). Please note the hour in between for half day rental times. 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.

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

Boating:

Motorboats permitted.

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.

Swimming:

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, lake swimming is available from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (Hours are somewhat shorter when local schools are in session in early June and late August.) The swimming season begins the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend and runs daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The area features a swimming beach with diving tower, snack bar, and souvenir and gift shop.

Swimming is free for campers and cabin guests but cannot be guaranteed should circumstances beyond the park's control require that swimming be closed. We do not give refunds for swimming to overnight guests under any circumstances.

Fishing and Hunting:

Bass, catfish, muskie, walleye and striped bass are among the popular sport fish found in the lake. A valid Virginia fishing license is required and is available at the marina when it is open or the park officue during the off-season.

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