Shared by Joseph Ball, as Guest Blogger.

Looking for the perfect location

"Hello, Virginia State Parks. This is Cindy. May I help you?" With my sister Anne Louise on speaker phone, we explained that we were looking for a site for a family reunion that might exceed 40 people. "You have many locations to choose from," Cindy continued, "but I highly recommend Kiptopeke State Park on the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to cabins and campsites, there are large lodges that can accommodate up to 16 people each."

A Kiptopeke State Park lodge, one of five offered.

We thanked Cindy and went to the Virginia State Parks website to do some research. The varied offerings at the park looked impressive on paper, but just to be safe, Anne Louise visited the park on a cold, wet September day. Unable to access the lodges or the cabins, she was impressed enough with the fishing pier, beaches and woods for us to decide.

Plan ahead, book months in advance

By booking nine months in advance, we were able to get two lodges and four campsites. We put our names on a waiting list for cabins, but none became available in the course of the next nine months. This taught us to book even earlier in the future if we wanted a selection of both lodges and cabins.

Let the fun begin

I arrived in mid-June with the first wave of family members and used the security code we were given at the gate to unlock the door to lodge #3. Wow! The huge common room/kitchen area was even larger than I had hoped. The dining area table could accommodate 10-12 people, the kitchen counter another half dozen, and the living area had sturdy upholstered chairs and couches for 9. In addition, we found generous-sized porches with rocking chairs at the front and back of the lodge. The AC was running, but we noticed a gas fireplace we used on cooler nights.

With three full bathrooms and beds for 16 people, we knew we would all be comfortable in the coming days. Part of the fun was a variety of musical beds. The kids especially enjoyed sleeping with one set of cousins in Lodge #3 for a night or two, then shifting to a campsite or Lodge #1 for another night. It didn't seem to matter since we all got together in one lodge or another every evening for a common meal. The kitchens in each lodge were well-appointed and sufficient for our needs. Grill-master Cousin Mateo used the outdoor grill in the backyard.

Something fun for everyone

As more family members arrived, small groups went out to explore. Soon, we learned the best trails to take for hiking, biking, scenic overlooks of the bay, access to the children's playground, and the most direct route to the fishing pier and beaches, as well as how to get to the pollinator gardens (where wild blackberries were in season), the laundry facilities, the ranger office, and Taylor Pond (named after James Taylor whose nature conservancy donated the funds for the state to buy the land surrounding the pond).

Family favorites at Kiptopeke

Each family had their favorite memory by the end of our six days at Kiptopeke.

• Children and uncles: For many of the children, it was playing on the beach, fishing with Uncle Willie, or crabbing with Uncle Tom.
• Sporty family members: Others recalled playing soccer, Frisbee or baseball on the field in front of Lodge #3.
• 30-somethings: The 30-somethings enjoyed strolling the quiet, wooded trails while comforting little ones nestled in chest carriers. They also enjoyed hanging out on lodge porches.
• Dad: One father from Phoenix described a particular wooded area, explored by bicycle, as "the Garden of Eden."
• Oldest generation: For the four siblings of the oldest generation, a historical walking tour with Ranger Will Ellson was an unforgettable highlight. 

Not sure what to do? Find guided park programs that offer a variety of activities here.

Suggestions for your visit

If you are considering a trip to Kiptopeke, be forewarned that poison ivy is abundant along the edges of otherwise well-groomed trails and boardwalks, and, more importantly, deer ticks can be a menace. Many of our crew brushed ticks off their arms and legs after a walk in the woods, and three of us found ticks embedded in our skins. Besides these concerns, our only disappointment was learning that kayak rentals at the park were suspended during COVID-19 and unavailable when we visited. Solo kayaks, tandem kayaks and paddleboards may be rented at the camp store seasonally, Thursday through Sunday — dependent on staffing and weather.

While no one in our family is an avid birdwatcher, we noted that Kiptopeke State Park attracts birders from around the country, if not the world (see their eBird reports). There are raised platforms for bird watching dotted around the park. Whatever draws you to Kiptopeke, you'll find it clean and well-maintained, with courteous, well-informed staff to guide you.

A final suggestion: If you wonder what an artificial barrier reef comprised of World War II cargo ships is doing in the bay, ask for Ranger Will.

Where will you take your family?

Kiptopeke State Park has many options for accommodations. Learn more here. Find more parks offering lodges, cabins, campsites, yurts and more, here. You can book reservations online here or by calling the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center, Sunday through Thursday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., at 800-933-PARK (7275). Our representatives are happy to help you find the perfect accommodations!