Great Camping Spots in Virginia

By Melissa Younger.

One of the best states in the U.S. for camping is Virginia. It has great camping locations all across the state, offering everything from camping near a beach, a pond, or waterfall in a beautiful state park to a glamping getaway near the cities.

You can camp in your RV, in a classy Yurt or a luxurious cabin. There are countless locations for traditional tent camping, or camping along the Appalachian trail.

Locals on Crowdsourced Explorer attest to some of the best camping locations In Virginia, including camping in the Appalachian Mountains near Midlothian. One local shared, “There’s no skiing to be had there, but camping there is quite pleasant. Just don’t leave the bug spray at home.”

Another local talked about a great place to camp in Mount Solon, VA: “One of the town’s most beautiful attractions for visitors is Natural Chimneys, which in the summer hosts live music festivals, swimming, camping, and so much more for families.”

Below you’ll find some of the best camping spots in Virginia, no matter what style or setting you prefer. Most are located in state parks and require a reservation in advance, and some require you to fill out forms to show you know the campground rules and regulations.

 

North Bend Park & Campground

Boydton, VA

One of the draws of North Bend Park is the 70,000-acre John H. Kerr Lake Reservoir and Roanoke River. Here, you can swim, fish, camp, boat, and enjoy the great outdoors. It has trails for biking, jogging, and exploring nature. Its unique features include an amphitheater, a fishing pier, playgrounds, beaches, and boat launch areas.

The campground’s primitive campsites and electric/water hookup sites for RV camping are equally beautiful and serene, and those who’ve visited attest to its clean, well-kept campsites and facilities. You can park your car or RV and have a great time with your family.

 

Pocahontas State Park

Chesterfield, VA

At Pocahontas State Park, you can rent a cabin, yurt, lodge, or use one of their campsites. Their campsites have electric and water hookups and offer grills and picnic tables for your eating needs. They have restrooms with hot showers as well. The campgrounds are well-organized, and the hiking trails are well-maintained.

This park has something for everyone, from the water park with slides, different sized pools, and splash pads, to the snack bar offering food like nachos and pizza.

At the lake, you can rent paddle boats or canoes, or relax on the beach. Other amenities in the park include playgrounds, a boat ramp, a Nature Heritage Center, the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) Museum, and the Pocahontas Aquatic Center.

If you’re looking for a glamping experience with many amenities in a beautiful location, this is it! This location is also very dog-friendly.

 

New River Trail State Park

Max Meadows, VA

This park has great campgrounds, but you should know that you can’t drive to your campsite to unload. Instead, you’ll have to use the wagons they provide to carry your gear to the site. your gear.

The large campsites are on level, finely crushed stone and have places for hammocks or to hang tarps. This is primitive camping, however, so there are no restrooms with running water or electricity. There are pit toilets and a water source near the parking lot.

The park has great rail trails for biking and hiking, and you can go tubing, boating, kayaking, and fishing on the river and lake. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could even paddle out to the island with your tent and camp there instead.

The park has a gift shop selling snacks, drinks, and clothes, and historic buildings you can explore.

 

Crabtree Falls Campgrounds

Tyro, VA

At these campgrounds, you’ll find sites for tent camping, RV camping with water and electric hookups, and cabins. The cabins are near the Tye River, and are clean and serene.

The hike up the mountain is difficult, but worth it for the breathtaking views at the top, and the gorgeous Crab Tree Falls are just a short walk away.

Other amenities include playgrounds, a general store, a washer and dryer, a rec room, and bathhouses. You’ll want to make a reservation at this private campground ahead of time.

 

 

False Cape State Park

Virginia Beach, VA

This park offers primitive camping year-round, but does not have cabins.  It is very isolated, so if you are looking for somewhere off the beaten track, this campground might be for you! You’ll be camping on or near the beach, and will see lots of wildlife including snakes, turtles, frogs, and maybe even some dolphins!

The park has great biking trails and places to walk in nature. Some of the amazing natural features you’ll enjoy here include its wetlands, coastal forests, and dunes.

 

Douthat State Park

Millboro, VA

At Douthat State Park, you can camp in their lodges, cabins, in your RV, or on the campgrounds. They have electric and water hookups and dump stations, but no cell service or WIFI. There are bathhouses for tent campers. The cabins have rustic furniture, heat, AC, a kitchen, and a shower.

The park has many scenic hiking paths, a clean beach on a sparkling, clear lake, a well-maintained bath house and snack bar, and different kinds of boats for rental. It is a quiet, peaceful place to camp with plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy!

 

Grayson Highlands State Park

Location: Mouth of Wilson, VA

If you’re looking for a great place to camp along the Appalachian Mountain Range, you might consider stopping in this state park. Here you can view the visitor center, enjoy the scenic trails, do some bouldering, visit the waterfall, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the famous wild ponies.

Whether you are backpacking in the Appalachian Mountains, taking a bike trip on the nearby Virginia Creeper Bike Rail trail, or want a fun place to camp with your family, this is a great choice.

The park is well-maintained, the bathhouses are clean, and there are amazing views everywhere you look.

You should plan to book almost a year in advance, as this popular park fills up quickly. You can book a cabin, a yurt, or a campground site.

 

Hungry Mother State Park

Location: Marion, VA

Hungry Mother State Park is known for its amazing views and relaxing ambience, as you awake to the sound of melodic birdsong and water bubbling. It has a beautiful lake for fishing, kayaking, and swimming, and great trails for biking and hiking.

The Creekside campground has a clean bath house and includes hot showers, a laundry room, a dish washing station, and an ice machine.

You can stay in a cabin, a yurt, the lodge, or do some old-fashioned tent camping. If you have kids, the park has some playgrounds they will enjoy.

 

Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park

Location: Stanley, VA

The Big Meadows Campground in the middle of Shenandoah National Park is a fun place to enjoy the outdoors from your tent or RV. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table.

The park is known for its entrancing waterfalls, breathtaking vistas, fields of wildflowers, and quiet woods. It has over 200,000 acres of protected lands, making it great for birding, nature-watching, and hiking.

The campsites are flat and quiet, and the bathrooms are heated and well-maintained. You will have access to drinking water, utility sinks, a small store, a lodge, and an amphitheater. You can pay to do your laundry or shower.

 

Chippokes State Park

Location: Surry, VA

At Chippokes State Park, you can camp in cabins, yurts, or tents. The cabins are colonial style, with heat and air conditioning, and the yurts have large wooden decks with tables and a fire ring and cooking grate. Some of the campsites have electricity and water, and there is a bathhouse and laundry facility available.

At the park, you’ll enjoy exploring the acres of land via the farm roads and can explore the farm equipment museum or pick up fossilized shells on the beach. It is a great place to hike, bike, or kayak. It is close enough to ferry to Jamestown and Williamsburg if you’re wanting to explore the cities, too.

 

Fairy Stone State Park

Stuart, VA

At Fairy Stone State Park, you can hike, bike, or ride a horse along the Little Mountain Trail System. There is a beach with a bathhouse and lifeguard, or you can go fishing or boating out on the lake. There are designated areas for hunting, too.

You can stay in a cabin, at the Fairy Stone Lodge, or in a Yurt, all of which have many amenities. There is also a bunkhouse or sites for tent camping. Each campsite has a fire ring for cooking and parking for two vehicles. There are also sites for equestrian camping.

 

Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Williamsburg, VA

In Williamsburg, you can enjoy camping at Chickahominy Riverfront Park. As the name suggests, you’ll be camping with a scenic view of Gordon Creek. You can either camp in a tent or an RV, as there are sites with water and electricity hookups. There aren’t any cabins, and you should know there is a limit of 6 people per campsite. Near the campsites, you’ll find clean bathhouses with outdoor sinks.

This park is a popular spot for fishers. There is a 290-foot lighted fishing pier available all day and night, as well as a catch-and-release pond. There are even fishing tournaments throughout the year! Keep in mind, you will need to have a freshwater license to fish.

Other attractions and activities at the park include boating, hiking and biking on the Virginia Capital Trail, playing on the sand volleyball court, basketball court, horseshoe pits, corn hole pit, or splash pad. If you forget anything, they have a park store selling almost anything you could need.

This is a popular park, so make sure to make your reservation in advance!

 

Claytor Lake State Park Campground

Dublin, VA

The Claytor Lake State Park Campground is a fun place to fish, boat, swim, camp, and hike. It has a beautiful marina fully equipped with docking slips, boat rentals, refreshments, and supplies.

You can stay in a lodge or cabin overlooking the sparkling lake, or enjoy a more rustic experience in a yurt, bunkhouse, or tent.

If you’re a nature-lover, you’ll want to explore the historic Howe House, which has exhibits that will educate you about the lake. Other amenities in the park include a fishing pier, places to picnic, a snack bar, playgrounds, and gift shops.

There is cell phone service and sites providing electricity and water if you want to do some RV camping.

 

First Landing State Park

Virginia Beach, VA

This beautiful State Park has a gorgeous beach you’ll enjoy at sunrise and sunset. You can stay in a rustic, clean, and well-stocked cabin or do some yurt, tent, or RV camping only 15 minutes from Virginia Beach.

You can explore the miles of trails and boardwalks that weave through the park’s forests and wetlands. There are areas to rent kayaks and boats at the 64th St entrance.

 

Shenandoah River State Park

Bentonville, VA

This quiet park has amazing views and is great for hiking for all levels. You can sit and birdwatch or get some exercise while enjoying the fresh air. Be sure to visit the famous overlook in the mountains to see the best view!

The Shenandoah River is the main attraction in the park, and is fun to raft, canoe, or boat along.

You should know that you cannot drive up to the tent campsites, but there are areas to camp in your RV. There are public bathrooms and picnic areas, and you can camp in a tent, RV, yurt, bunkhouse, cabin, or lodge.

 

Prince William Forest Park

Triangle, VA

The Prince William Forest Park is known for its 37 miles of hiking trails, premiere camping, 18 miles of stream, man-made lakes, and orienteering course. The lakes and stream are peaceful places to fish and relax. This park is a great place for birding and nature watching, and to get away.

You can camp in a rustic cabin, RV, or tent, and enjoy the nearby bathhouse complete with hot water.

 

Sky Meadows State Park

Delaplane, VA

This park has primitive camping only, which is at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Though the camping area is small, it is surrounded by rolling hills, mountains, historical buildings, ponds, and trails, making it the perfect scenic getaway. A stream runs along the camp sites, and you’ll wake up to the large variety of birds singing peacefully.

This park is a fun place to hike, with trails for all levels of fitness. You can hike along the woodlands and meadows, or up a steep incline.

Sky Meadows State Park is unique in that it has shows and festivals throughout the year, including historical reenactments.

 

Natural Tunnel State Park

Duffield, VA

Here, you can camp in a cabin on a ridge with a gorgeous mountain view, just steps from amazing hiking trails. There are also campgrounds for tent or RV camping, and yurts.

Natural Tunnel is, as it sounds, a naturally occurring tunnel carved into a limestone ridge. It is over 850 feet long and 10 stories high! This park also has a wide chasm surrounded by pinnacles, or “chimneys.”

This unique park has cave tours, canoeing, a Cove Ridge Center and Daniel Boone Wilderness Interpretive Center, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a store, and a gift shop.

 

Are you interested in learning more about places to visit in Virginia? See what locals recommend on Crowdsourced Explorer as you plan your next trip!

 

Your favorite Camping Spots in Virginia?

Have you explored some of the beautiful natural areas of this fabulous state? If so do you have some favorite camping spots in Virginia you would like to share? If not, which of the above interest you the most? Do share your thoughts in the comments below.