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Summer Day Tripping: Douthat State Park

Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® all summer long!

By Sandy Wallace May 14, 2024

Summertime is a perfect time to enjoy wading in the water. Pack a picnic lunch for this fun day trip to Douthat State Park, located in Millboro, about an hour and a half from Lynchburg and just a few miles off I-64.

Douthat State Park features beautiful mountain views, a swimming beach with snack bar, fishing, boat rentals, more than 40 miles of hiking and  biking trails, playgrounds, tent and RV camping, and rental cabins. The swimming beach is unguarded, so swim at your own risk. There is a day use entrance fee to the park as well as swimming fees.

The fishing is great at Douthat State Park. From the Virginia State Park website:

"Douthat Lake is a 50-acre fee fishing lake stocked with rainbow, brown and brook trout twice a week during the fee season. The lake also offers excellent largemouth bass fishing and fair opportunities for landing sunfish, black crappie, and channel catfish. It’s also an excellent lake for chain pickerel with October being the top month. A special trout fishing area for the kids also has been created on a section of Wilson Creek just below the dam."

There are various programs at Douthat State Park throughout the year. Programs include guided hikes, canoe tours, children's programs, crafts, lectures, and more.

The beach are is perfect for families, with plenty of room to spread out and some shaded areas. There are multiple picnic areas in the park too, including some at the swimming beach. 

Plan a family trip to Douthat State Park soon and enjoy the great outdoors. The swimming beach is open seasonally from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Douthat State Park is open year-round.

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You'll find fun activities and events to last you all summer in the Lynchburg Macaroni Kid calendar of events on our website. Subscribe to receive a FREE weekly listing of events and activities, as well as articles and guides about local family fun. If anyone tells you that there's nothing to do in Lynchburg, don't believe them! 

When the summer days are hot, there's nothing better than hitting the water to cool down. Let Lynchburg Macaroni Kid help you Find Your Family Fun® in Lynchburg and Central Virginia this summer!