ABOUT THE PARK: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
TRAIL MAP: Online Map / Online Trail Descriptions / maps available in park office
DIRECTIONS: About a 7 hour drive from Central New Jersey. I-78 west to I-81 south to I-64 west to north on Route 629 for 6 miles to park office on right
HIKE DIRECTIONS:
Hikes are broken down individually. Click on the links for descriptions and pictures of each hike.
Hike 1 - 10.5 miles - Blue Suck Falls/Tuscarora Overlook/Stony Run
Hike 2 - 13 miles - Beards Mountain/George Washington National Forest
Hike 3 - 8.5 miles - Middle Mountain/Douthat Lake
The trail map indicates the level of difficulty of each trail. Based on how trails are rated here in New Jersey and New York, I would say none of the trails is above moderate although several are listed as difficult. There are no rock scrambles and for the most part trails are smooth, some rocky areas, consist mostly of switchbacks and run along narrow ledges with amazingly beautiful steep dropoffs. I tend to get queasy if up high looking straight down but none of the trails affected me like that, maybe because the rest of the mountain going up on the other side offered a wall with a sense of stability. Make no mistake, you will be getting quite the workout but amazing views await you at the top.
ACCOMMODATIONS:
We stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin, which was very nice and much more than I had expected. Dogs are allowed for a $10 per night additional fee, but most importantly, they are allowed, which is rare! This cabin came to about $100 per night in off-peak season. My dog, Shawnee, will give a tour:
We stayed in cabin 28. Cabins are spaced a decent distance apart and are climate controlled with heat and central air conditioning.
You enter through a screened in porch which is a very pleasant place to sit and read a book.
You first come into the combo living/dining room with fireplace:
Beyond that is the kitchen with refrigerator/freezer, microwave, stove, toaster, coffee maker.
Out the side door is a patio with picnic table and barbeque grill.
On the other side of the cabin are the bedrooms and bathroom.
Shawnee and I both highly recommend staying here. There are different cabins with different features and camping facilities. Click here for more information on accommodations at Douthat State Park. The trails and views are magnificent and it is definitely worth spending at least a weekend hiking them.
LITTER REPORT:
I normally do a litter report at the end of each hike in hopes someone who might consider littering will think twice after seeing how awful it looks. But on this trip, I only found one item of "litter" so I will report it here. And I have to say, this was not the kind of litter you find every day, nor would I say it was intentional. Kudos to Douthat State Park for being litter-free!
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