Take A Peek Inside This Amazing Lake Cabin

You will fall in love with Kirkner Lake Cabin, New River Retreat in Draper. Kirkner Cabin, an 1840s log home, is your chance to relive America’s vibrant history. This historic cabin is a testament of the passing of time and a reminder to simpler times. The sturdy chestnut logs were stacked in a traditional way. The wall near the fireplace has a small opening that shows how cracks were carefully sealed and then filled with natural clay chink. Gather around the stone fireplace as families have done over 160 years. The firelight has been the source of many stories and families have found comfort in its warmth. Kirkner Cabin was moved to Claytor Lake in the 1970s. Before the logs were restacked, Mrs. Kirkner hand-washed them in the river. This created the vibrant golden hues that are still visible today. This historic log cabin overlooks America’s oldest river allows you to travel through time.

Outdoor enthusiasts have many options in the New River Valley to fulfill their passion for adventure. You can explore the river by kayak, bike or learn how to climb trees. The New River Retreat is sure to inspire your adventure spirit. These are just a few of the many things you can do during your vacation.

Claytor Lake State Park. Claytor Lake State Park is a great place to swim, camp, hike, and picnic. It is also known for its sport fishing and boating. The park boasts a marina that offers full-service, including fuel, docking slips, boat rentals, refreshments, and supplies. Water’s Edge Meeting Facility can be used for weddings, receptions and reunions. Wedding packages are also available. Three lodges and fifteen cabins offer a serene retreat overlooking the lake’s 4,500 acres. The Howe House is a historical building that houses interactive exhibits about the ecology of the lake. You can also rent bikes, enjoy a universally accessible fishing platform, picnic shelters, seasonal snack bar, and playgrounds. Two gift shops are available.

George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. You can explore over 1.8 million acres in Appalachian forests in Virginia and West Virginia. The Appalachian Trail (also known as the A.T.) is America’s first National Scenic Trail. The trail runs through 14 states and is marked by white vertical paint blazes measuring two-by-six inches. Virginia has more A.T. miles per capita than any other state, with the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests containing 325 of the trail’s 2,190 total miles. The Virginia section is a mix of ecosystems. It passes through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area’s high country, the ridges and valleys of the Eastern Divide Ranger District, and the Blue Ridge of Glenwood Pedlar Ranger District. The elevation ranges from 265 feet at James River Footbridge to 5500 at Pine Mountain.