Cabin Fever? Yes, Please.

Living in Virginia, you may have heard that our state parks are award-winning. As someone who has camped up and down the East Coast, I can personally confirm that they are truly something special. All boast something unique or notable, and you'll find their topography ranges from sandy seashores to mountaintop retreats. Here, I'm sharing my three favorite parks and what makes them special. While this roundup highlights the cabins, each park also offers tent, RV, and group camping options. Some even offer hybrid yurts for those wanting their accommodations to land somewhere between tenting and being surrounded by four walls.

3. Douthat State Park, Millboro

In my opinion, Douthat is the quintessential state park experience. Tucked into heavily wooded mountains with a modest, serene lake that offers swimming, canoeing, and hydrobikes — a pedal-powered personal watercraft — in the warm season, Douthat is ideal for settling in for a week of reading, hiking, swimming, and cozy nights around the campfire. Something that makes Douthat unique is the sheer variety of cabin sizes and layouts peppered throughout the park. All of their cabins have now undergone environmentally-aware renovations. There are log cabins (with wood-burning fireplaces) ranging in size from one-room efficiencies up to three bedrooms for a larger gathering. Douthat Lake is just the right size for a gentle afternoon hike. Time spent at Douthat brings to mind a deeply wholesome connection with nature — the kind of peaceful, immersive experience now often referred to as forest bathing.

2. Natural Tunnel State Park, Duffield

Though it's located a bit off the beaten path of the interstate system, Natural Tunnel State Park is a gem worth seeking out. The main event is (as you might guess) the natural tunnel, which is much like Natural Bridge but with a more encompassing geological formation. Massive amphitheater-like walls tower over the river running through the tunnel along with an active train track. A walking trail leads down into the gorge, or if you'd like a more relaxing option, choose the chairlift that ferries visitors down for a nominal fee. 

The cabins are relatively new, built in the most recent park system style, and most are still in excellent shape. A little-known perk about this park is that nearby Duffield is home to a manufacturing facility for memory foam mattresses, and each cabin bedroom is fitted with one. It's truly a more luxurious sleep experience than my bed at home. The cabins all have gas logs in the living area and outdoor picnic tables with firepits. There are great hiking trails, beautiful views, and some easy day-trip options including Cumberland Gap and Breaks Interstate Park. I love staying at Natural Tunnel for both Thanksgiving and Christmas because the views with bare trees are even more spectacular, and the Tunnel plays host to a magical light display during the holidays. During their Lighting of the Tunnel events, you'll find live music, firepits, hot cocoa, popcorn, Santa, and crafts for the kiddos all set down in the gorge which, while stunning by day, is breathtaking by night.

1. Fairy Stone State Park, Stuart

 Fairy Stone has only recently skyrocketed to the number one spot on my list, thanks to the stellar renovations that were completed during the 2023–2024 seasons. There is a combination of old-style log cabins and more modern cinderblock structures. Both building types were showing their age, having been part of the original six parks in the commonwealth to construct cabins during the 1930s (log) and 1950s (cinderblock). The choice of materials and quality of workmanship beautifully combine to present destruction-proof tile flooring, granite surfaces, and classic subway-tile/glass door showers. The cinderblock has been drywalled over and accented with beautiful oak-plank feature walls that create a welcoming, fresh atmosphere while still showcasing natural materials. Most cabins feature screened-in porches and wood burning fireplaces. My favorites are those that perch right on the shores of Fairy Stone Lake. 

Besides the renovated cabins, the top activity here is hunting for fairy stones. Park rangers offer regular talks on the formation of and tips for excavating the mystical stones, which visitors are allowed to take as a tangible memory of time well spent here. One thing to note is that there is no cell service in the cabin area. It can be partially accessed by the swimming beach pavilion. Though it can be a bit unnerving at first, we've come to realize that unplugged silence is one of the richest gifts that Fairy Stone bestows upon its visitors.

Honorable Mention: Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin

I have also spent a considerable amount of time at Claytor Lake State Park and highly recommend the three imposing lodges and neighboring three-bedroom cabin for family gatherings of any size. All were built quite recently and boast all the modern conveniences along with the rustic charm of hand-hewn beams (in the lodges) and gas-log fireplaces. The lodges offer a variety of bedrooms that include queen, twin, and bunk bed configurations along with two full baths. They are perfect for a large group and are situated lakeside. There is a full-service marina with boat rentals on-site and a nice-sized swimming beach. Gentle walking and hiking trails abound.