Hiking at Douthat State Park
(540) 862-8100
14239 Douthat State Park Road
Millboro, VA 24460
Latitude: 37.896054
Longitude: -79.809300
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Backway Hollow Trail
The Backway Hollow Trail is a .9 mile moderate multi-use trail that connects the Heron Run Trail to the Salt Stump Trail, while providing access to the Laurel View Trail. This trail is fairly wide and not too steep and excellent for biking and hiking with children. At its northern end this trail splits into two forks, both of which lead to the Salt Stump Trail.
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- Length: 0.9
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Rocks
Beard's Gap Hollow Trail
The Beards Gap Hollow Trail is a 1 mile moderate multi-use trail that is accessible from near the White Oak Campground and from the Locust Gap Trail. This trail gradually climbs uphill from the campground, passing through a wooded hollow and crossing a creek several times. As the trail nears the Locust Gap Trail, it becomes narrower with some switchbacks an a moderate increase in grade.
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- Length: 1.0
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Beard's Gap Trail
Not to be confused with the easier and similarly named Beard's Gap Hollow Trail, the Beard's Gap Trail is a 1.2 mile difficult multi-use trail that connects the guest registration area to a small shelter and the Mountain Top and Brushy Hollow trails. Near the registration area this trail is fairly flat and follows a creek, crossing it several times. As the trail climbs it becomes increasingly steep and difficult, with seven short switchbacks before reaching the ridge line.
Blaze Color: Blue
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- Length: 1.21
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Natural
Blue Suck Falls Trail
The Blue Suck Falls Trail is a 3 mile moderate to difficult multi-use trail that connects several of the trails in the northwest region of the park to the trail head near the Visitor Center. The falls, and hence the trail, get their unusual name from the Appalachian term for a whirlpool or a 'suck', which may be found at the base of the falls. At higher elevations the trail traverses the ridge top, often along a narrow path, and connects to the George Washington National Forest trail network. The trail features several east facing overlooks of the Alleghenies such as Lookout Rock. A highlight of the trail are the views of Blue Suck Falls. This rocky trail is actually steeper and more difficult at lower elevations.
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- Length: 3.0
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Rocks, Steps
Brushy Hollow Trail
The Brushy Hollow Trail is a 3.7 mile difficult multi-use trail that is accessible from the Mountain Top, Beards Gap, and Flat Run trails. This narrow trail connects several overlooks with spectacular views of the park and the George Washington National Forest. The trail criss-crosses the ridge line by way of many switchbacks and several dramatic increases and decreases in elevation. The southern portion of the trail drops into Brushy Hollow crossing the creek several times. This somewhat easier portion of the trail passes an old CCC dynamite storage building and crosses Wilson Creek via bridge near the connection to the Flat Run Trail.
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- Length: 3.72
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Bridge
Buck Hollow Trail
The Buck Hollow Trail is a 1.4 mile difficult multi-use trail that is accessible from nearby the park restaurant and from the Mountain Top Trail. Initially wide, flat and smooth, this trail gradually gets narrower, steeper, and more winding as it approaches the ridge line. Hikers will want to take the short side trail that leads to an overlook of Douthat Lake and a spectacular sunset view. The higher elevations of this trail become increasingly difficult, however do not be discouraged as the lower portions are much easier and the views are worth the effort.
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- Length: 1.41
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Rocks
Buck Lick Trail
The Buck Lick Trail is a one-third mile, easy interpretive trail located near the restaurant. The trail makes a loop through Buck Hollow and features interpretive information about the unique ecosystems that make up Douthat State Park.
Blaze Color: Red
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- Length: 0.28
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Natural
Flat Run Trail
The Flat Run Trail is a 2.5 mile easy multi-use trail that runs alongside the main park road and Wilson Creek. The trail connects the park entrance to the Contact Station as well as the Brushy Hollow and Stony Run trails. This trail is very flat and smooth and is grassy most of the way, passing several benches. At several points along the trail there are parking areas where hikers, bikers, and fishermen can access the trail and Wilson Creek as well as other small streams. Although these areas are accessible before reaching the Contact Station parking passes are required and all other park rules are applicable.
Blaze Color: Red
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- Length: 2.52
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Gravel, Grass
Guest Lodge Trail
The Guest Lodge Trail is a .64 mile difficult multi-use trail that connects the Douthat Lodge to the Mountain Top and Mountain Side Trails. It runs near a ridge top and is a fairly easy climb from the lodge to the Mountain Top and Mountain Side Trails. This trail may also be used to access the Ross Camp Trail in several locations.
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- Length: 0.64
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth
Heron Run Trail
Heron Run is a .7 mile easy hiking trail that follows the western side of Douthat Lake. It is accessible from the Discovery Center, the Blue Suck Falls, Middle Hollow, and Backway Hollow trails. Near the discovery center the trail crosses a small bridge, traverses the spillway via concrete steps, and passes through wooded areas along the lake. The trail is fairly flat in most places with the exception of the spillway stairs and is an excellent trail for families with children.
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- Length: 0.73
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks, Concrete
Huff's Trail
Huff's Trail is a 1.08 mile moderate multi-use trail that connects the Blue Suck Falls Trail to the Heron Run Trail and crosses the Middle Hollow Trail. This trail is fairly flat and narrow and passes through areas that are lush with wild blueberry plants.
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- Length: 1.08
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Laurel View Trail
The Laurel View Trail is a 1.48 mile moderate multi-use trail that is accessible from the Backway Hollow Trail and the Blue Suck Falls Trail. It also intersects the Middle Hollow Trail and runs parallel to the nearby Huff's Trail. This trail has more changes in elevation than its neighbor although it shares in the abundance of wild blueberry plants. The path is narrow but not too rough on this trail.
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- Length: 1.48
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Locust Gap Trail
The Locust Gap Trail is a 1.45 mile moderate multi-use trail that connects Blue Suck Falls trail to Stony Run Trail and is also accessible from the Beards Gap Hollow Trail. This trail passes through the wooded environment that typifies this park and is fairly flat with little change in elevation. The Locust Gap Trail is an excellent choice for small groups or family hikes.
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- Length: 1.45
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Middle Hollow Trail
Middle Hollow is a 0.7 mile moderate multi-use trail that connects the Pine Tree Trail to the Heron Run Trail, crossing the Laurel View and Huff's Trails in the process. A gradually sloping trail with a noticeable amount of rocks, hikers are advised to wear proper footwear. Where the trail meets Heron Run Trail there is a bench and a small bridge.
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- Length: 0.78
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Middle Mountain Trail
The portion of the Middle Mountain Trail inside the park is a 1.77 mile long section of this much longer trail that extends into the George Washington National Forest. The trail primarily follows the top of the ridge and elevation change is minimal. This difficult, narrow hiking trail is accessible from the Stony Run, Blue Suck Falls, and the Salt Stump Trails and is an excellent connector for making a loop hike back to the park.
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- Length: 1.77
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Rock
Mountain Side Trail
The Mountain Side Trail is a 1.2 mile moderate to difficult hiking trail that is accessible in two places along the Mountain Top Trail and from the Guest Lodge Trail. This narrow trail runs along the side of the mountain with few changes in elevation. Users should use particular caution on this trail as it runs along a fairly steep edge and a false step could result in a bad tumble or fall.
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- Length: 1.23
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth
Mountain Top Trail
As its name suggests the Mountain Top Trail is a 2.4 mile moderate to difficult multi-use trail that is accessible from the Mountain Side, Buck Hollow, Beard's Gap, and Brushy Hollow trails. The trail follows several ridges via a series of switchbacks and runs along a wooded ridge line before descending via another series of switchbacks. This trail is fairly narrow and, except for the portion along the ridge line, is fairly steep. From this trail one can access the George Washington National Forest network of trails.
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- Length: 2.4
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Rocks
Pine Tree Trail
The Pine Tree Trail is a 1.06 mile difficult multi-use trail that follows a somewhat constant elevation as it connects the Salt Stump Trail to the Blue Suck Falls Trail, and access to the Middle Hollow Trail. The name of the trail can be misleading as most, if not all, of the trees along this trail are hardwoods.
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- Length: 1.06
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth
Ross Camp Trail
The Ross Camp Trail is a .83 mile difficult multi-use trail that is accessible from the main park road and climbs to the Guest Lodge Trail. Initially flat smooth and easy to travel,the trail later gets steeper and moderate in difficulty as the elevation increases. The trail features a pleasant section through a wooded hollow and along a creek.
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- Length: 0.83
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalks
Salt Stump Trail
The Salt Stump Trail is a 2.43 mile difficult multi-use trail that connects the Beaver Dam Campground to the Middle Mountain Trail and the George Washington National Forest. The Salt Stump Trail is also accessible from the Backway Hollow Trail and Pine Tree Trail. From the campground, this trail begins as a wide, flat, and smooth trail later becoming steeper and narrower as it continues uphill through the wooded mountainsides. The terrain varies from smooth earth to fine gravel to rough rocks.
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- Length: 2.43
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Gravel, Rocks
Stony Run Trail
The Stony Run Trail is a 4.2 mile moderate to difficult multi-use trail that is accessible from the trailhead parking area, from the Tuscarora Overlook Trail, the Locust Gap Trail, and from the Middle Mountain Trail that runs outside the park. This trail isn't as steep as others in the park because of the winding switchbacks that help hikers overcome the considerable changes in elevation. From the trailhead parking area the trail crosses Stony Run several times and passes the seasonal Stony Run Falls.
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- Length: 4.2
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth, Rocks
Tobacco House Ridge Trail
The Tobacco House Ridge Trail is a .8 mile moderate multi-use trail that connects the White Oak Campground to the Blue Suck Falls Trail. It is fairly steep near the campground but passes by several benches that make good rest stops. The trail soon flattens out and then gradually decreases in elevation as it approaches the Blue Suck Falls Trail. Be sure to stop and rest at the beautiful overlook of Douthat Lake and the mountains.
Blaze Color: Yellow
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- Length: 0.8
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth
Tuscarora Overlook Trail
The Tuscarora Overlook Trail is a 1 mile difficult multi-use trail that connects the Stony Run Trail to the Blue Suck Falls Trail. This narrow, well shaded trail passes through flat areas and areas with slight changes in elevation. This trail accesses the Tuscarora Overlook, where hikers are rewarded with beautiful views of the park, Beard's mountain, and the nearby ridge of the Alleghenies. The overlook includes a cabin for shelter from foul weather at this high elevation.
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- Length: 1.0
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Surface: Earth
Wilson Creek Trail
The Wilson Creek Trail is a 1.5 mile moderate multi-use trail. It makes its way to the main park road by way of Creasey Lodge, several cabin areas, the Buck Hollow Trail and the Ross Camp Trail. For most of its length it passes through wooded areas with moderate elevation changes along the way.
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- Length: 1.51
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Surface: Earth, Boardwalk
Youth Conservation Corps Trail
The Youth Conservation Corps Trail is a .9 mile, easy hiking trail that connects the boat launch area to the Discovery Center. Constructed by crews of primarily 14 to 17 year old participants in the Virginia State Parks Conservation Corps program, the trail closely follows the eastern shore of Douthat Lake via the beach area, the park restaurant, Camp Malone and the spillway. The trail passes near Camp Carson and the Discovery Center where there is access to the Heron Run Trail and Blue Suck Falls Trail. The YCC trail is fairly flat and smooth along most of its length, however the trail does include wooden stairways and bridges as well as several rest areas with benches.
Blaze Color: Blue
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- Length: 0.9
- Difficulty: Easy
- Surface: Gravel, Boardwalks, Bridges
Other Activities At Douthat State Park: Biking, Boating and Water Sports, Camping, Educational Activities, Fishing, Gifts and Shopping, Hunting, Picnicking, Swimming, Canoeing and Kayaking, Cabins and Lodges and Horseback Riding
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