Don't let all my NJ posts fool you. I was born and raised in southwest Virginia and most of my…read morefamily still lives there. Although I am forever grateful that my parents moved us out of the area when we were younger - especially when I get a peek at the local electoral maps - my heart remains in the mountains. Can't say my brains remain here though because it took until today to realize Claytor Lake was 1) a state park and 2) gorgeous and amazing. All these years I just thought it was nowhere special that my cousins would go fishing. And to think I road trip all the way to NH and Maine every year and could have just driven 7 miles from my grandmother's for an equally rewarding experience. I had cabin fever today at my granny's and caught the local Outdoors magazine write up about Claytor Lake. There's camping?? Swimming?? Trails?? I watched a few videos on YouTube then got in the car to see for myself. Need to know: -There's a booth at the entrance - closed after 4pm. $7 parking fee for most paid by the honor system with cash or check or by card through the QR code during after hours. There are 4 campgrounds - I only saw Campground D open and it was overwhelmingly being used by those with RVs, teardrops, and campers. These are NOT wooded lots, rather gravel pull-ins and you'll likely be very close to your neighbor. A lil too close for me but I can see it not being a huge deal since everyone had campers to sleep in. I took a drive through this campground to see if I would feel comfortable and I didn't see any displays that would make me think I wouldn't (you picking up what I'm putting down?) Trails and paved paths galore. I saw one trail today but didn't get to explore much. Apparently the only shoes I packed for this trip were Crocs. Paved paths snake through the park and are accessible for those with mobility devices. The "lake" was created by damming the river. The water is clear by the shore. We love clean river water! Tons of shelters, grills, benches. There is something for everyone! Not sure if shelters are first come first serve or if you need to book them in high season - check the website. There's a gift shop but it was closed. I was bummed because you know I love stickers! I am counting down the days until I can return in the warmer weather. I would not be opposed to camping here or swimming once they reopen the beach for the season. I also look forward to exploring the trails. Fantastic solo outing. What a gem in my little country corner of the world.

I came to this campground after I looked on line to see if I could fish during the night for…read morecatfish. The answer came back that registered campers could but not general public. Park day use areas close down at 10 PM. According to the Internet, they only close these fishing areas at 10 PM for daytime visitors but last registered campers fish all night. At 10PM, we were asked to leave the fishing pier. I mentioned what the Internet said and the ranger seemed baffled and said that it's not true so we had to leave. He did say he would look into it because it was important to him that people had the right info. Problem is, during the summer, in this part of the country, the water gets hot and the fish go deep. Being a bank angler, it's impossible to catch any catfish during the day, they only come shallow at night. The bass fishing is the same. Fishermen and hunters pay for the bulk of what it costs to keep these parks operational yet when we would like to use them, we get the shaft. This quote is from the VA Outdoors Management : A lot of our funding to help conserve wildlife and habitat comes from public spending on things like fishing and hunting licenses, tags, or stamps, boat registrations, and via a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Those sources of financial support have helped us protect hundreds of species and their habitat for over 100 years, but there's always more we can do for Virginia's wildlife. That's where you come in. You too can become a steward of the outdoors by supporting our work or working with us -- whether you hunt, fish, and boat or simply enjoy the outdoors. So, you can see what I'm saying. It is not right or fair that everyone else gets to do what they want but we flip the bill for it. Then our rights keep getting tanked. They put hiking trails and bike trails and beaches for swimming, but keep taking away hunting and fishing rights and they keep raising the prices. Hunters and fishermen are always on the bottom of the list of whom these people cater to. It's not fair or just. At the very least, we should be able to fish when we want especially when that is the only time those fish will bite!!!

During a family vacation stay at an AirBnb river house in Draper VA over a long weekend in mid-June…read more2022, I called Anthony at River Junction C&C to rent a canoe for 2 days. He was very friendly and offered to deliver the canoe, paddles, and 2 adult life vests on early Saturday morning (8:30am). Very reasonable rates and friendly service. I would strongly recommend River Junction C&C for any of your canoe rental needs. Anthony prefers to communicate by phone or text messages (instead of emails). Look for more information on their Facebook page which will have the following URL: https://www.facebook.com/riverjunctioncampground.

I feel like I found a hidden gem at this campground! Located right on the massive River, the site…read morehad plenty of space for my tent, car, plus a picnic table and fire ring. Restrooms with shower were clean and roomy. The rv campers were friendly too. All and all, I wish I lived closer because I would love to make this a regular experience. Woke up to the fog covering the land making it feel magical. It's a 10/10!

If you're just looking to check out the shot tower, this is a quick in and out. There is an honor…read morebox for parking, so be sure to respect that. The tower stands 75 feet tall and includes a 75-foot vertical shaft beneath which is what's needed to achieve a perfect 150 foot drop. Completed in 1807 by English immigrant Thomas Jackson, who brought with him the secret of the "drop shot" method where one melts lead and drops it from a height through sieves to form perfectly round pellets for use in firearms. Production ceased in 1839. There are markers that give the story. It's interesting and once you've seen that, there is a full park for walking and enjoying nature. [Review 525 of 2025 - 1465 in Virginia - 24086 overall]

My 28th Va State Park. My 3 star review is selfish. Here's why. I don't bike. It hurts my bottom…read more I've tried it. Then, my tire goes flat. What a giant pain. So, I don't bike, and that what this place is for. Sure you can hike it, but it's a 57 mile path. Similar to tje va Creeper trail at 34 miles and the W & OD trail that's 45 miles. Also, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic trail at 900 miles!!! Plus the C & O Canal trail at and amazing 184.5 miles!!! I truly wish I could bike it but I could never hike it. So.. no go for me here. *also note The New River Va State Park is similar. So much so, they don't allow a Trail Guide check in here. Your Trail Guide check in at The New River State Park counts for for New River and Shot tower. There are numerous entrances. This one is at Austinville.

this animal park is absolutely a terrible for animals. the spider monkey is like a tall corn cage…read more little to no enrichment for these primates. they could easily plant a tree or bushes in the enclosure giving them enrichment similar to their native environment. the tortoise was worse. it is about 3-4ft in length. the enclosure is so small the tortoise can not move more than a foot. there is not adequate sun protection in its enclosure.there is no enrichment items available.

OMG this place was so much fun! All of the staff was extremely friendly love puff and cheetoh.read more

The main City Park in the town of Galax, VA, Felts Park hosts the annual Galax Old Fiddlers'…read moreConvention every August. The Fiddlers' Convention is the pre-imminent get-together in the world for lovers of bluegrass and old-time mountain music, and routinely draws over 5,000 folks for a six/seven day celebration of all things old-time musical. Felts Park provides its 3,000 seat covered grandstand and huge covered stage for the event, as well as space for 500-800 travel trailers and campers for those attendees wishing to "rough it" while attending the festival. The park is over 28 acres in size, and offers plenty of room for attendees to spread out, and just have a great week of music, fellowship and relaxation in the mountains. Local Galax residents have a lot of other park features to enjoy when the Old Fiddlers' Convention isn't in town: a huge outdoor swimming pool, baseball and soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds and covered picnic shelters and lots of room to walk and jog. The Park is a lovely civic asset, and a wonderful host to my favorite annual mountain music celebration.

I absolutely loved it here. The golf course is spectacular. On the first tee box I had to pause…read morefor a moment. The fairway is probably 60-70 feet below you and stretches out towards the tree line. The par 3 2nd comes back a little to your left, and then you see the third hole as it wraps around water just below. Absolutely stunning. It's a tough track and I would say is fun from every set of tees (black, blue, white, gold, and even the red tees). Water comes into play on about a dozen holes. Highlights are the first tee box/first hole (it's a reachable par 5), the third as it wraps around a pond, the second half of the par 5 5th hole, the eighth hole looks like it's on top of the world, the views from the 10th tee box, the thirteenth hole (a brute of a par 5), and some of the best par 4s in Virginia (holes 15, 16, and 18). I stayed in the smaller of the two lodges that overlook the 18th green. We had a suite with a master with a king and another room with two double beds. Lots of space, two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a porch. It was also the cleanest room I may have ever stayed in. Some of the nicest views were from the porch that included the storm that rolled through at night and the fog that followed in the morning. There is only one restaurant on property and the food was excellent. Love that the dessert menu was never fixed. I had an ice cream cookie sandwich that was excellent. The people here truly make this place special. Whoever cleaned our room deserves a raise. Bo (the head pro) and Sherrie in the pro shop are maybe the nicest people I have met playing golf, and that is saying something. The wait staff and grounds crew were all extremely nice as well. I know there is a 5-star resort down the road that I visited for a bit, but I would much rather be here every day of the week. (Not saying I wouldn't turn down a free stay and play at the other place.) Needless to say this is now on my list for places to have a relaxing weekend getaway filled with great golf.

Really a nice golf course! Quite playable not tricked up. It seemed if memory serves me there was a…read morehuge difference between regular Mens and Senior tees. Would have liked something in between. Condo was quite fine. I got a little package and it was a good value for the money!

ifrom out of town and they decided to close early for no reason. On top of that they said last call…read morefor food and drinks and it took less than two minutes to get over to order and the waitress was outside. By the time she came back she said yea we're not taking anymore orders. Cool place but BAD experience.

This is a wonderful addition in Wytheville that provides upscale entertainment for families and…read moreadults . It is spacious with a variety of activities from jump zone, arcade, billiards, private party rooms, VIP spaces for viewing sports and bowling. They offer a full service bar with craft beer and many food choices. A far cry from your old dark, stinky bowling alleys that provided basic beer and popcorn. I've visited twice and the staff are friendly , available and great service in the bar area from Tyler . I've eaten hamburgers which are wagyu beef , onion rings, and a very good brisket pizza. The food is better bar food than most chain restaurants . It is very clean in every area I've visited. They offer a nice outside patio as well.