Waterfall Hero Hikes: Douthat State Park

Douthat State Park is a 4,545-acre Virginia State Park in the Appalachian Mountains in Bath and Alleghany County. Established in 1936, it is one of the first Virginia State Parks and served as a model for the development of state parks nationwide. The park is named for the Douthat Land Company, which donated land for the park. Today, the park contains a lake and streams for fishing, camping, cabins, and more than 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking and equestrians.

Contact Information:

14239 Douthat State Park Rd.

Millboro, VA 24460

Phone: (540) 862-8100

Email: Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov

Directions:

From Lexington, head west on I-64 for about 26 miles to exit 27. At the end of the exit, turn right on Douthat State Park Road to head towards the park. The entrance station is about 5 miles from the interstate.

Map:

Trails:

Blue Suck Falls Trail:

Length: 3.01 miles

Blaze: Blue

Blue Suck Falls leads from trailhead parking at the lake past Blue Suck Falls and then climbs steeply to terminate at Tuscarora Overlook Trail near Middle Mountain.

Locust Gap Trail:

Length: 1.45 miles

Blaze: Yellow

Locust Gap Trail connects Blue Suck Falls Trail and Stony Run Trail.

Tuscarora Overlook Trail:

Length: 1 mile

Blaze: Yellow

Tuscarora Overlook Trail connects Blue Suck Falls Trail and Stony Run Trail near Middle Mountain. A short spur leads to the namesake overlook and CCC Cabin.