Douthat State Park
Encyclopedia
Douthat State Park is a state park
located in the Allegheny Mountains
in Virginia
. It is in Bath County
and Alleghany County
. The park is 4546 acres (18 km²) total with a 50 acres (20.2 ha) lake.
allotted $50,000 for the purchase of land for state parks, and the remainder of the present-day park was purchased with this money. Approximately 600 men from the Civilian Conservation Corps
developed and constructed the majority of the modern-day park system between 1933 and 1942.
Douthat Lake View Restaurant was built by the CCC
and overlooks the lake. Next to the restaurant are a camp store and a gift shop.
and is a log building that houses up to 15 guests, while Creasey Lodge is woodframe and holds up to 18 guests. Douthat has 30 total cabins, which vary in size and can hold 1-6 people.
There are 74 total individual campsites and one group campsite, called Beaver Dam Group Site. 55 of the camping sites have electrical hookups available.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
located in the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. It is in Bath County
Bath County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,048 people, 2,053 households, and 1,451 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 2,896 housing units at an average density of 5 per square mile...
and Alleghany County
Alleghany County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,926 people, 5,149 households, and 3,866 families residing in the county. The population density was 29 people per square mile . There were 5,812 housing units at an average density of 13 per square mile...
. The park is 4546 acres (18 km²) total with a 50 acres (20.2 ha) lake.
History
Douthat State Park opened June 15, 1936. It was one of the original six state parks of Virginia. The Douthat Land Company, a group of businessmen, donated the first portion of land — 1920 acres (777 ha). In 1933, the Virginia General AssemblyVirginia General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere, established on July 30, 1619. The General Assembly is a bicameral body consisting of a lower house, the Virginia House of Delegates, with 100 members,...
allotted $50,000 for the purchase of land for state parks, and the remainder of the present-day park was purchased with this money. Approximately 600 men from the Civilian Conservation Corps
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
developed and constructed the majority of the modern-day park system between 1933 and 1942.
Attractions
- Mountain biking : Douthat State Park has become a premier mountain biking destination. Twenty-four of the twenty-six trails at Douthat are open to biking. The park has been heralded as the best mountain biking destination on the East Coast. By spring 2009, almost all of the 45 miles of 70-year-old Civilian Conservation Corps trail at Douthat will be restored to its original condition with sustainable trail design techniques integrated to maintain a unique mountain biking experience.
- Fishing : Douthat allows troutTroutTrout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
fishing in its stocked lake with a valid Virginia Fishing License and a daily permit. - Boating : A boat ramp launch is available April through October. Jonboats (including those with electric motors), canoes, paddleboats, hydrobikes and funyaks (similar to kayaks) are available for rental. No gasoline-powered boats are allowed on the lake.
- Hiking - Over 43 miles (69.2 km) of varied difficulty trails are available, many of them created originally by the Civilian Conservation CorpsCivilian Conservation CorpsThe Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
. Horseback riding at the park is restricted to several trails on the Western side of the park and mountain biking is permitted on nearly all of the trails. - Swimming : The beach area of the lake is available from Memorial DayMemorial DayMemorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
through Labor DayLabor DayLabor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
. - Restaurant/store
Douthat Lake View Restaurant was built by the CCC
Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
and overlooks the lake. Next to the restaurant are a camp store and a gift shop.
- Picnicking : There are three picnic areas with shelters that can be reserved for a group.
- Hunting : Hunting is allowed by reservation with the appropriate permits.
Lodging
Douthat has lodges, cabins, and campgrounds for rental. Douthat Lodge was built by the CCCCivilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
and is a log building that houses up to 15 guests, while Creasey Lodge is woodframe and holds up to 18 guests. Douthat has 30 total cabins, which vary in size and can hold 1-6 people.
There are 74 total individual campsites and one group campsite, called Beaver Dam Group Site. 55 of the camping sites have electrical hookups available.
Awards and recognitions
- 1986 - Douthat recognized as a Nationally Registered Historic District
- 1998 - Virginia Lakes and Watersheds Association Award for Best Operated and Maintained Dam
- 1999 - Centennial Medallion from the American Society of Landscape Architects
- 1999 - named one of Outside Family Vacation Guide's top ten state parks
See also
- List of Virginia state parks
- Civilian Conservation CorpsCivilian Conservation CorpsThe Civilian Conservation Corps was a public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942 in the United States for unemployed, unmarried men from relief families, ages 18–25. A part of the New Deal of President Franklin D...
- Great DepressionGreat DepressionThe Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
- Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...