Douthat and Fairy Stone state parks complete final phase of cabin renovations

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is celebrating the completion of the cabin renovations at Douthat and Fairy Stone state parks. The upgrades mark a milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance visitor experience and preserve the historical elements of these cherished parks. 

“This project represents a significant investment in the future of Douthat and Fairy Stone state parks, reaffirming their status as premier outdoor destinations,” said Virginia State Parks Director Dr. Melissa Baker. “After years of meticulous planning and hard work, the transformation is now complete, and we are ready to provide visitors with unparalleled opportunities for recreation, relaxation and exploration.” 

The renovations, led by PMA Architecture, began in 2021 and were part of a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing infrastructure needs and modernizing the log cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and the cinder block cabins constructed in the 1950s. Phase one wrapped up in the spring of 2023 and included 29 cabins. The remaining 26 cabins received upgrades in phase two, which was completed in May 2024, including: 

• Rehabilitated exterior and interior log cabin walls. 
• New exterior cladding and interior finishing on cinder block cabins. 
• Upgraded bathrooms.  
• Upgraded kitchens with new stainless-steel appliances. 
• Upgraded plumbing, HVAC and electrical. 
• New windows and furniture. 

Throughout the renovation process, sustainability was a top priority, with efforts focused on incorporating eco-friendly materials and practices to minimize the environmental impact and promote conservation. 

At Douthat, the park selected composite shakes for the roofs. They were designed to look like the cedar shakes installed by the CCC but have a lifespan of more than 50 years compared to the 15-year lifespan of the original shakes. 

This sustainable roofing initiative received Virginia Green Travel Alliance’s Green Travel Star Award in 2023. These awards are presented annually to the state’s greenest tourism operators and partners for their commitments to sustainability and contributions to green tourism in Virginia. 

Another priority during the renovations was accessibility. At Fairy Stone, the park transformed its most popular lakefront log cabin into an ADA cabin. This required changing the bathroom and kitchen layouts and building an elevated sidewalk leading to the front porch and entry door.  

Now, both Fairy Stone and Douthat offer ADA-compliant log and cinder block cabins for their guests. 

“We are excited to open these newly renovated and historically significant cabins to the citizens of the commonwealth,” said DCR’s Director of Planning and Recreation Resources Kelly McClary. “We hope the public enjoys the upgraded amenities and the attention to detail that the design and construction team delivered to this very important project.” 

To learn more about the cabins and their amenities, please go to virginiastateparks.gov. Guests can make reservations for overnight accommodations 11 months in advance online at reservevaparks.com or by calling the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-PARK.