Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

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Shared by Louise Woolard, Office Manager Pocahontas State Park, as Guest Blogger.

Some family traditions start so quietly and simply that you wonder how they ever grew into such major events today. Our family camping tradition started that way. 

Virginia State Parks is the perfect locations for family gatherings.

Virginia State Parks  offers the perfect location for family weekend gatherings

When the first four grandchildren were old enough to explore and love the outdoors, we decided that Columbus Day weekend was perfect for camping. That was seven years, and five grandchildren ago! What began with two grandparents and four little ones has grown into eight adults and nine grandchildren. Every year we pick a different Virginia State Park. So far, we have camped in six different parks.

Sunset at Occoneechee State Park

Sunset from Occoneechee State Park

In 2015 the destination was Occoneechee State Park in Clarksville. Two family friends also joined the fun, and we had four campsites with a total of nineteen people (and a dog!) For five days we hiked, biked, boated and explored the park and lake, hunted for geo-cache treasures, shopped in town (if you have never been to the quaint little town of Clarksville – you should visit!) and spent hours laughing and sharing stories around campfires together.

Dutch oven cooking on campground fire ring.

Family-size meals are cooked in a Dutch oven in a campground fire ring

Meal duties are always shared between families, and this year we kept the Dutch oven busy with warm dinners and fruit cobblers. A big griddle helps with larger items like pancakes and bacon, but the ground grills on the campsites are usually our first choice for cooking. With a big roll of heavy duty aluminum foil and a little imagination, you can do most anything!

Grandkids enjoy playing at the family campground.

Cousins enjoy playing at the family campsite

Early into our annual tradition we discovered the importance of visiting the chosen park ahead of time for planning. Each year we try to spend at least one night in the park before the big weekend – to plan activities, see where things are, and visit the surrounding areas for things to do in case it rains.

Our 2014 trip was one of those rainy weekends, and we found a great family friendly bowling alley close by. The best planning is sometimes no planning at all – so we are always flexible!

Cousins hanging out during family weekend.

Cousins hanging out during "cousins' campout"

Virginia State Parks have something for everyone, and are perfect for large family get-togethers. Watching our grandchildren grow and play together as cousins with the same love of the outdoors as their parents is a wonderful gift. The family “Cousins Campout” will continue for many years to come. And maybe one day, our great-grandchildren will host the tradition themselves.

One thing is for sure, we could not find a better host than our beautiful Virginia State Parks.  

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If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

COMMENTS

Virginia State Parks (June 27, 2016 05:58:57 PM): Some of our parks already have site specific sites and two more will be added next year and the following year all of our full service campgrounds will offer about half their sites as site specific. However, we have been doing group camping for years in our parks. We have some group areas but in many cases folks put the emails all in one name and one person arrives as early as possible and selects sites close together. These folks only needed 4 sites and they also were camping in October.

Mark Slabach (June 27, 2016 04:44:12 PM): How does one plan a cousins camp when you can't reserve specific sites??

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