Fall camping is the best; the parks are less crowded, the temperatures are cooling off, and the scenery can't be beaten. Let's explore some favorite camping spots at Virginia State Parks.

Friends and family making memories outside = priceless.

Bring bikes to explore the fall leaves at a Virginia State Park.

These state parks are all fabulous for fall getaways. Amenities vary from park to park, and some may be seasonal, so be sure to ask before reserving your campsite if you are counting on a specific park feature like the canoeing program—Call 800-933-7275 to inquire.

1. | JAMES RIVER STATE PARK

Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the park features rolling grasslands, quiet forests and beautiful views, as well as 3 miles of shoreline along the James River. Visitors can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, fish or tent camp on the banks of the historic river or at Branch Pond. Facilities include cabins, a visitor center, a gift shop, a camp store, a natural playground, picnic shelters, multi-use trails, boat launches, water/electric campgrounds and equestrian camping. The park also has a universally accessible fishing pier and a .25-mile-long wheelchair-accessible trail around Green Hill Pond. James River received the International Dark Sky Park designation in 2019 and is ideal for stargazing. Learn more about the camping available at James River State Park here.

2. | NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

More than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, Natural Tunnel was naturally carved through a limestone ridge over thousands of years. Other scenic features include a wide chasm between steep stone walls surrounded by several pinnacles, or "chimneys." Facilities include two campgrounds, cabins, picnic areas, an amphitheater, a visitor center, a camp store and a gift shop. You'll also find the Wilderness Road historic area and a seasonal chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River. A camp store and kayak programs also available. Learn more about the camping available at Natural Tunnel State Park here.

3. | LAKE ANNA STATE PARK

The park has a beach on one of Virginia's most popular lakes, a fishing pond accessible to children and the disabled, a bathhouse-concessions complex and a boat launch. Overnight stays are made possible by camping, six camping cabins, two six-bedroom lodges and10 two-bedroom cabins. Seven cabins and the lodges have views of the lake. With more than 15 miles of trails, the park offers many hiking, biking and horseback riding options. Visitor center exhibits trace the area's gold mining history and highlight the park's natural features. Nature and gold panning programs are popular, and the park offers guided tours of the Goodwin Gold Mine. Learn more about the camping available at Lake Anna State Park here.

4. | FAIRY STONE STATE PARK

Home of the legendary fairy stones, this park is well known for its 168-acre lake adjoining Philpott Reservoir. The park is just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Attractions include cabins, a campground, group camping, an equestrian campground, a conference center, hiking trails, lake swimming, rowboats, canoes, paddleboats, kayaks, picnicking and two playgrounds. Learn more about the camping available at Fairy Stone State Park here.

5. | POWHATAN STATE PARK

Powhatan State Park also has a primitive canoe-in campground.

You'll find Powhatan State Park in the northwest corner of Powhatan County on the historic James River. The park has three car-top boat slides accessing the river as well as diverse wildlife habitats, from open fields to upland hardwood forests. Other amenities include a full-service campground, a primitive canoe-in campground, yurts, a group campground, multi-use trails, wildlife observation areas, picnic shelters and a playground. Learn more about the camping available at Powhatan State Park here.

6. | STAUNTON RIVER STATE PARK

Tucked neatly into the heart of Virginia, about 25 miles from the North Carolina border, Staunton River offers much to families and outdoor enthusiasts. The 2,400-acre park offers woodlands, meadows and shorelines along the Dan and Staunton rivers. Cabins were built in the 1930s by the CCC, and a campground offers overnight lodging. The equestrian campground offers large campsites and horse stalls. Access to Virginia's largest lake, Buggs Island Lake, offers freshwater fishing and boating, along with water skiing and many other aquatic activities. The park also has picnic shelters, three playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, a disc golf course, several boat launches and more than 17 miles of multi-use trails.

This park is the first state park in Virginia to be designated an International Dark Sky Park and is ideal for stargazing. Learn more about the camping available at Staunton River State Park here.

BONUS

Six Virginia State Parks offer Equestrian Camping like Staunton River State Park.

Virginia State Parks are amazing for fall trail rides. Equestrian campgrounds can be found at six of our state parks. And 19 have riding trails.

Douthat, Fairy Stone, Grayson Highlands, James River, Occoneechee and Staunton River rent horse campsites. Some sites have electricity and water and a nearby full bathhouse. Others have electricity and water and a pit toilet. Because sites vary, carefully read about each park's horse camping amenities. 

Those parks have horse trails, as do another 12 parks, and trailer parking is available at those parks. 

• Bear Creek Lake
• Belle Isle
• Chippokes
• High Bridge Trail
• Holliday Lake
• James River
• Pocahontas
• Powhatan
• New River Trail 
• Shenandoah River
• Sky Meadows
• Twin Lakes
• Wilderness Road
• York River

Equestrian trails vary from 2 to 57 miles long. Click here for a detailed list of all parks' horse offerings.

LET'S GO CAMPING

Take advantage of the fabulous scenery when the leaves drop at a Virginia State Park.

Twenty-nine state parks throughout the state offer camping (click here for park rates) with a total of more than 1,800 campsites. Site sizes, configurations and amenities vary. Some parks provide sites with electric and water hook-ups, which tend to be larger to accommodate recreational vehicles and campers. Kiptopeke and Hungry Mother campgrounds offer sewer hook-ups.

Most campgrounds are open from the first Friday in March through the first Monday in December; primitive sites are available year-round. Douthat, Hungry Mother, Pocahontas and Shenandoah River state parks have full-service campgrounds open year-round. 

Visit the online reservation site to reserve campsites, cabins, lodges and picnic shelters.

REWARDS

Be sure to sign up for the Customer Loyalty Program to earn points that may be used for free overnight stays.

Learn more about camping and overnight stays. See a map of all Virginia State Parks to help plan your visit.

 

Be sure to see the first part of this blog series "6 Favorite Fall Camping Spots at Virginia State Parks" where I shared information about Douthat, Hungry Mother, Smith Mountain Lake, Shenandoah River, Chippokes and Holliday Lake State Parks.