We enjoy going to this park, where we walk around, settle in on the blanket with our little dog and watch the boats in the lake, as well as the watercraft launch.
Since all my family lives in the area and I live in Michigan, my family frequently goes there when we go home. The beach is great the water is beautiful and the surrounding mountains are amazing and very relaxing. My husband and I rented a boat and cruised the lake and went fishing. We were so amazed at the views we didn't fish much. We just put the boat at a slow cruising speed and followed the lakes path. I've never seen a more beautiful place. It has easy access to interstate 81 and is easy to find. I recommend this park to anyone. It's just beautiful!
If you enjoy the water without the crowds and don't require the usual tourist attractions to keep you entertained, this is a terrific spot. If you're boating, keep an eye out for driftwood, especially in the spring or after heavy rain upstream. If you work your way up past the Lighthouse bridge, keep in mind there are places that are quite shallow. Also keep in mind there aren't many places to buy gas on the water. One is at the state park, 2 are all the way up Peak Creek, and one is at the end of the bridge.Please take your trash with you when you leave! We don't enjoy picking it up on the shoreline.
The area is quiet. The lake area is beautiful and worth visiting. Go forth and visit this wondrous place. You'll love the area as much as I did. Plus, not far is where they shot the movie "Footloose".
Attractive state park with clean beach/swimming area with nearby "on land" playground as well as hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, etc. Ample parking. Small gift shop. We visited during the annual festival (fried food trucks, antique car show, a few kids' activities, etc.) to see the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society fire truck muster. Entrance fees are raised during the festival but can be offset by canned food donations. Festival atmosphere was extremely laid-back and low-key; live music, fireworks, etc. were planned for later in the day. Very convenient to I-81 (has its own exit off the interstate); short drive from Roanoke.
I have been going to Claytor Lake State Park for years. It is a well used park with lots of amenities. You can spend the day or a week. If you are looking to being out in nature with the animals, this is not the park for you. If you are a family looking for something to do with all the folks in the group Claytor Lake will fit the bill. There is a large campground where you can tent camp to motor home park. Weekends are busy and you will need a reservation. There are cabins available for rent too. There is a sand beach area with life guards. The beach is easy for parents of little ones as there is not a drop off into the water, it is a gradual sandy entry. For the older kids, there is a dock with a diving board that they can swim out to. A snack bar with typical snack bar food is on site as well as a small store for some of those items you may have forgot. A bigger camp store is located in another area. There is a changing area with cold showers at the beach area. No pets on the beach but you can have pets in the grassy area above the beach. Coolers are allowed but no alcohol. There are three playgrounds scattered throughout the park.Many, many picnic tables and picnic pavilions for larger groups.There are a lot of areas for shore fishing. Mediocre hiking trails but there are some. There is also a marina on site where you can rent pontoon boats, ski boats or jon boats. 1/2 day or full day rental. They also rent non motorized water craft. The view of the lake is beautiful. A fun family campground.Because the buttons will not let me choose more than one 'sort of visit' I will type it. I have been here as a couple, a family with young children, a family with teens, with friends and solo. I have been visiting this park since 1980.
We only stayed for one night but this is one of the nicest campgrounds in a state park and cheap ($36) for out of state. The site was completely gravel and level. Plenty of amenities (nice picnic table, wide & long site, two poles to hold a lantern or bug zapper) and a ton of things to do at the lake like boat rentals, jet ski and swimming.. The bathrooms weren't the nicest but compared to other state park systems, top notch! The only things I didn't like, the sites aren't reserved (first come first serve) and the people with dogs were mixed in with everyone. We had a person next to us that had a yapper!
We have had children go to both Radford and Virginia Tech - both near Claytor Lake. Every Spring and Fall during their college days, we stayed at least one weekend at Claytor Lake. They absolutely loved it. We arrived with the family dog, invited them and their friends out to the cabin, grilled, star gazed, played cards, sat in front of the fire, threw the football, made memories. If you have college students, build the memories by booking a cabin at Claytor Lake. You won't regret it. Your kids will love it. Your grandchildren will probably love it too!!
Love the lake and the fall leaves. The historic house was great. This time of year all of the food places were closed for the season.
We love the park. We've utilized the campground multiple times and it's a family friendly stay every time. Each space has a fire ring which makes an enjoyable trip in the fall. One thing to plan for is the lack of septic at each site. That's a bothersome annoyance but it's never stopped us from trying to book a stay at the campground. Also, the park has a nice beach and swim area that stands out. We've never stayed in the cabins but they look great from the exterior and are in a great setting.