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Home ›› Destinations ›› Claytor Lake State Park ›› Hiking

Hiking at Claytor Lake State Park

(540) 643-2500

6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive
Dublin, VA 24084

Latitude: 37.057372

Longitude: -80.627394

›› Google Map

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.

Hiking Trails At Claytor Lake State Park

Bent Tree Trail

The Bent Tree Trail is a .75 mile easy loop that is accessible from both campsite D and from the overflow parking area across the road from the Meeting Center. The trail runs mainly through wooded terrain on a flat, smooth earth trail with minimal changes in elevation. Along this trail are several stops with outdoor fitness equipment such as pull up bars, parallel bars, and areas for doing specific types of exercises.

Blaze Color: White

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

Length: 0.75
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth

Claytor Lake Trail

The Claytor Lake Trail is the parks longest trail at 1.6 miles and connects the cabin area to campground C. It can be accessed from both these places as well as well as from campground D and from the Poplar Leaf Trail which connects the Bent Tree Trail to the Claytor Lake Trail. Running mainly through the woods, the terrain is typically smooth and flat earth with occasional sections of natural river rock.

Blaze Color: Blue

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

Length: 1.6
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth, Rock

Poplar Leaf Trail

The Poplar Leaf Trail is a 0.77 mile easy trail that connects the the Bent Tree Trail to the Claytor Lake Trail. The trail passes through wooded areas and creates a convenient link to the midpoint of the Claytor Lake Trail. Hikers may choose to create two loops by hiking this trail and returning from either the north or south portions of the Claytor Lake Trail.

Blaze Color: Orange

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

Length: 0.77
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth

Shady Ridge Trail

The Shady Ridge Trail is a .66 mile interpretive loop that is accessible from both a trailhead near shelters 1, 2, and 5 as well as from the main park road, not far from the campground access or contact station. After a brief ascent up a grassy path from the picnic area, users come to a wooded loop that features numbered signs that correspond to an interpretive pamphlet available at the Visitor Center or park office.

Blaze Color: Red

Usage:

View Video Tour | Download Trail Map

Length: 0.66
Difficulty: Easy
Surface: Earth

Other Activities At Claytor Lake State Park: Boating and Water Sports, Camping, Educational Activities, Fishing, Gifts and Shopping, Hunting, Picnicking, Swimming and Canoeing And Kayaking

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"Unfortunately, they have not been announced yet. There have been some delays, but we are looking at early February. "

Posted by Michael Salotti [View]

"Where the winners ever announced? Would love to see the winning photos!"

Posted by Chris Wilson [View]

"The Wildlife Management areas are managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. What you heard is incorrect. Here is info about the change: Facility Use Permit Effective January 1, 2012, a Facility Use Permit will be required when using any Department-owned Wildlife Management Area or Fishing Lake. Such permit shall not be required for any person holding a valid hunting, fishing or trapping license or a current certificate of boat registration issued by the Department or persons…"

Posted by Nancy Heltman [View]

"I've heard that the WMAs are going to be restricted to hunting licensees only. Have you heard anything about that?"

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"I was there too with my sister and one of her friends from work. It was a great day. We walked the trail and the hills were quite intense. But we all finished an it was really fun for the first one. "

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Hiking at Claytor Lake State Park

(540) 643-2500

6620 Ben H. Bolen DriveDublin, VA 24084

Latitude: 37.057372

Longitude: -80.627394

Bent Tree Trail

Claytor Lake Trail

Poplar Leaf Trail

Shady Ridge Trail

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6620 Ben H. Bolen Drive
Dublin, VA 24084