Shorter booking for rentals to be piloted at some Va. State Parks

A new reservation policy will change the way visitors rent cabins in some Virginia State Parks. Beginning May 1, Belle Isle, James River, Natural Tunnel, Staunton River, Twin Lakes and Westmoreland state parks will drop the seven-night cabin stay requirement and instead allow guests to book two-night stays.

The pilot program will be in place throughout the summer. Park staff will evaluate results to determine how the policy might be expanded or revised for the 2016 vacation season.

“We recognize that with the changing times, people’s vacation expectations have changed,” said State Parks Director Craig Seaver. “For many, the seven-night requirement is too long, and it put a cabin vacation out of reach. With this pilot program, we’re responding to a common request from visitors and we’re making cabins in parks around the state available for shorter says. We’ll take a look at the reservations at the end of the season and plan accordingly next year.”

The week-long reservation is required now between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. In parks not in the pilot program, the requirement drops to a two-night minimum a month to the date before the prospective reservation.

Reservations can still be made 11 months in advance for a week stay.

Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

For more information about state park activities and amenities, or to make cabin or camping reservations, call the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 or visit http://www.virginiastateparks.gov.