Paddle-In Campsites — Widewater State Park

Reservations only guarantee the facility or site being rented. Programs and park amenities may be cancelled or closed for various reasons and do not constitute a refund.

Pursuant to the Code of Virginia, all open fires (including wood and charcoal) are prohibited between February 15 and April 30 annually (except between the hours of 4PM to midnight). Camping stoves that are self-contained are permitted (ex. Coleman Stove). We have received permission from the Department of Forestry to allow open fires between midnight and 4 p.m. in our campgrounds if we have a camphost. Failure to observe the burning law could result in a fine of up to $500.00.

A non-refundable $5 transaction fee is charged for overnight site rentals. The increase results from a downturn in state revenues used to fund state government programs, including state parks. DCR staff considered many options and felt this to be the least burdensome on guests. The fee is directly tied to expenses that support overall facility rentals including credit card fees, 800 number fees, and overnight inventory and reservation system vendor fees.

As part of your trip planning, before you arrive at the park, check out our events database to see the programs scheduled at your park. You can find the database here: http://bit.ly/vspevents. The events are sometimes added as late as the start of the month they will occur, so check back right before you leave. Another way to keep in touch with programs and offerings is to subscribe to our weekly enewsletter. It takes just a few minutes to sign up here: http://bit.ly/vspenews. You can also follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/virginiastateparks) and Twitter (@VAStateParks).

State law prohibits state employees from accepting gratuities. If you are so inclined, you may direct gifts or donations to: The State Park Projects Fund, c/o The Department of Conservation and Recreation, 600 E. Main St., 16th Floor; Richmond, VA 23219. These funds will be used for the development, maintenance, and operation of Virginia State Parks.

Virginia State Parks offer numerous opportunities for volunteers. If you are interested, please contact vspvolunteer@dcr.virginia.gov.

Customer satisfaction is a priority with State Parks and our Reservation Center. Please feel free to call the Operations Director, Nancy Heltman, with your compliments or concerns regarding your treatment by our staff. Nancy can be reached at 1-800-933-7275 (786-5057 if local Richmond). For changes to your reservation, please call 1-800-933-7275 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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Notice for Campers and Cabin Guests:

We're hiring! dcr.virginia.gov/jobs

Linens are not provided, so guests will need to bring their own sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, washcloths and dish towels.

Portable showers that do not drain to wastewater storage tanks are prohibited by state law. Collected wastewater must be disposed of properly.

There is a per night per pet fee for cats and dogs in all cabins and lodges (pets are not allowed in the yurts). Customers making reservations via the web are responsible for visiting the park office to pay all applicable pet fees. Customers may also call the reservation center at 800-933-7275 to pay the pet fees in advance.

Play it safe - Leave your firewood at home.

One of the most important things we can do to protect Virginia's trees and forest diversity is to stop moving firewood. New infestations of tree-killing insects and diseases are often first found in campgrounds and parks. Why? Because people have accidently spread invasive species when they brought firewood along with them. In Virginia, there are numerous counties under quarantines issued by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services due to an invasive insect pest or disease. These quarantines restrict the movement of firewood or wood by products from certain tree species. For more information on areas under quarantine, go to http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/firewood-quarantine. Virginia State Parks recommends that you do not bring firewood from home but buy it at the park or in the parks locality. Any wood brought to the park should be fully burned before leaving.

Late Cabin/Lodge/Yurt/Camping Cabin/Bunkhouse Arrivals:
A sealed packet of information with your last name will be left for you. This packet will be at one of the following places: contact station, visitor center or park office. Claytor Lake and First Landing will leave your packet at the cabin. Your last 4 digits of your confirmation number will be your access code. Please take your confirmation letter with you.

Late Camping Arrivals:
A sealed packet of information with your name will be left for you. This packet will be at one of the following places: contact station, visitor center, park office or the campground camp host site. Please take your confirmation letter with you. If you have a site specific reservation please look for your site highlighted by the yellow post along with your site number. If you have a non-site specific reservation please look for your site type to set up your equipment.

Located on the Potomac River side of the park. These campsites are placed in a shaded area within 100 feet of a comfort station. Each site is bordered with anchored 6x6 timbers, filled with washed pea gravel and include one picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring. Site 4 is ADA accessible. The paddle-in sites serve as a transient campsite. The intent is that our guests paddle from a point of origin, arrive at the site, camp overnight, and then paddle to another destination, or back to a point of origin. There are several options for getting previsions and gear to the site if it cannot fit in a kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board. Option 1, you paddle to the site, arrive before the park closes at dusk, have a chase vehicle provide provisions before dusk, and camp the night. However, the chase vehicle cannot be left in the park overnight and only those that paddled in are allowed to stay overnight. Because these sites are in a day use area, when the area closes, anyone not camping would have to vacate the park at that time. Option 2, you paddle to the site, camp overnight, and have the chase vehicle come in the morning, we open at 8 am, to pick up equipment, and return to a point of origin or paddle to another destination.

Use of portable generators and personal grills is prohibited at the shelters. Special use permits are required for amplified sound, use of third party rental equipment, religious events, and other items or events outside of normal operations. Proof of liability insurance is required for all third party contractors providing goods or services at a shelter.