Posted June 28, 2014 | Updated January 17, 2019

I had the privilege to experience Campground C at Occoneechee State Park and learn why generations of families love the outdoor community found at Virginia State Parks. This is just part of their story.

Camping at Occoneechee State Park and the Kerr Reservoir also called Buggs Island Lake

KOBY WITH A K AND HIS GRANDMOTHER

It all began as I was walking our dog and saw this cool kid named Koby and his lovely Grandmother out on the camping loop. "Koby with a K" as his Grandmother told me, was riding a bike quite skillfully and even shot down the little hill to show off a bit. 

Koby with a K, his Grandmother and her two dogs at Occoneechee State Park

Snoodle and NoZo at Occoneechee State Park

Snoodle the old veteran in the back was the tough one and NoZo in the front was the big puppy

They were a friendly bunch. His grandmother said she had not been camping in years, but decided to tag along. When I asked Koby with a K where he was from, he said Danville. I said "Oh so that is not too far from here, only about an hour" to which he responded:

"Yeah it took only an hour to get here but it took us FOUR HOURS TO PACK UP!"

I liked Kody with a K. His grandmother told me her son was working long hours at was unable to take a break and finally said "I want to take the family fishing!" So, they did, and here they are. Grandmother also had two pooches named "Snoodle and NoZo" she was taking out for a stroll. When I asked her if they had cooked bacon and eggs this morning, she replied "Oh yeah, of course." Now you can see why I liked her so much.

Koby with a K could sure get around on that bike

Go Koby Go!

I loved the fact that at this particular campsite there were three generations of campers present. Isn't that what camping is all about? And arguably, they were doing it right, as Virginia State Parks motto is: Family - Friends - Fun.

As families tend to drift apart geographically and emotionally, relationships are stretched thinner and thinner, so it's such a blessing to see Virginia State Parks duct taping them back together. That's my camping analogy, because you know duct tape can fix anything...or so they say.

SWEET MOTHER-DAUGHTER CAMPERS

As I wandered around the camping loop at Occoneechee State Park I stumbled (or would that be dragged, after all I was walking our dog) past a campsite that caught my eye, well one thing in particular did:

These campers had the coffee pot set and ready to wake them up from the tent

This campsite was occupied by a mother-daughter team who met up here which was half-way between both residences. Jennifer the mom lives in Raleigh and Lindsay the daughter lives in Richmond. They had such a neat and tidy campsite, no turned over bikes, towels or the like at this site. In other words, there were no kids present. In fact they were at the picnic table after finishing up breakfast and invited me in for a cup of coffee. I liked these two as well.

When offered I said "sure" and in I went. When Lindsay was younger her parents would go camping with a few other couples and all their kids. The kids would swim and play all day and late into the night, while the parents had Scrabble™ and Yahtzee™ matches. This tradition has held to this day as that was what Jennifer and Lindsay were up to on this brief weekend camping trip. They said they were Phase 10® addicts, as well as loving all the other fun family board, dice and card games. 

Here they are playing cards with the added mosquito protection

This is mom Jennifer from Raleigh NC camping with her grown daughter from Richmond VA

Lindsay washing up from breakfast (including my coffee cup)

This made me smile. Another instance where Virginia State Parks is helping families make memories together. Without actually realizing it, you park goers are making an impact on others. You made one on mine.

We hope you'll choose to experience Campground C at Occoneechee State Park and learn why families love the outdoor community found at Virginia State Parks. 

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Posted June 28, 2014 | Updated January 17, 2019 

Since this article first posted back in 2014 Occoneechee State Park has added recreational yurts, which are basically a cross between a tent and a cabin. So, if you don't have a tent or travel trailer, consider a yurt. Occoneechee's campground C has three yurts neatly tucked into wooded areas for extra shade. Each yurt has a large wooden deck with a picnic table and a fire-ring with cooking grate. 

Camping opens the first Friday in March at Occoneechee State Park, some sites are "site specific" which means you can reserve the exact site, others are non-specific, which means first come first served upon arrival. Most campsites at this park are not waterfront (be sure to ask about this when you call). 

At this writing, the equestrian trails are closed from extensive flooding and damage from the Fall so double check before making plans to come riding.

Learn more about camping, cabins and yurts at this park here, or call 800-933-7275 during regular business hours. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.