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The best place to camp in Virginia

By Shellie AnnePosted June 03, 2016

 

I was doing a Google search to find the "Best place to camp in Virginia" and of course Virginia State Parks came up. There were websites that boasted the best Camping and RVing, from primitive back to nature undeveloped campsites to pull through RV/Trailer campsites. But overwhelmingly Virginia State Parks was right there with the best of them, at the top.

Who ranks the best camping in Virginia anyway? 

My answer to that would be, you do! We hear it from you at the parks all the time, on the "Your Comments Count" surveys and even on social media like our Facebook page where you say "Virginia State Parks camping is the best!" 

WE HAVE CAMPGROUNDS AND KNOW HOW TO USE THEM

A family enjoying a meal outside at Kiptopeke State Park campground in VirginiaSpending valuable time together is what camping is all about

A good place to pitch your tent

Did you know Virginia State Parks offers campgrounds at 28 of our parks?  There are more than 1,800 campsites. Campsite sizes, configurations and amenities vary at each park. Some Virginia State Parks provide sites with electric and water hook-ups, which tend to be larger to host recreational vehicles and campers. 

Set up your campsite and make it home during your stay at a Virginia State Park (this one is at Kiptopeke State Park)Make your campsite your home away from home during your stay

Virginia is for Camping Lovers

Oh you didn't know that? Well we are, and we can prove it! You can even backpack-in to a few primitive sites like False Cape State Park, New River Trail State Park or Sky Meadows State Park, or canoe in to Belle Isle, York River or Powhatan State Parks, just as a few examples.

If you love to RV-it, then click here to see a parks with RV accommodations, each park's page lists the specific details of (size, amperage, water, etc.) We even have group camps, search all Virginia State Parks by amenities here to find the perfect park for your getaway.

PRIMITIVE PADDLE-IN AT POWHATAN

Primitive canoe-in campground at Powhatan State Park, VirginiaPrimitive campground at Powhatan State Park

You paddle in on the James River to stay at this primitive canoe-in campground at Powhatan State Park in VirginiaYou paddle in on the James River to stay at this primitive canoe-in campground

YOU'RE LOYAL WE'RE LOYAL

Waterfront campsite 27 or 28 at Occoneechee State Park, VirginiaCampsite 27 or 28 at Occoneechee State Park

Customer Loyalty Program

Earn points for a free stay when you overnight with us at Virginia State Parks. This program allows you to acquire 20 points for every dollar you spend and put that toward a free stay at any overnight accommodations, from bunkhouse, camping cabins, housekeeping cabins, lodges, yurt and campsites. Some parks even have equestrian campgrounds. It's a real good deal, get the details here.

BRING THEM RIDE THEM OVERNIGHT THEM

Bring them ride them overnight them at our equestrian campgrounds at Virginia State Parks

Equine campground at Fairy Stone State Park in Virginia

There's a yurt for that

What the heck is a Yurt? Glad you asked, let me explain: we currently have one Yurt at Virginia State Parks, but plans are in the works to build a few more when funding is available. A Yurt is a stand-alone tent-like structure and sort of like a cabin, but with no restroom of cooking facility. Our yurt happens to be up on the cliff overlooking the Chesapeake Bay at Kiptopeke State Park, yeah have we got a view for you. 

It has a large wooden deck, picnic table, fire ring with cooking grate, exterior floodlight, food preparation table and water spigot. Smoking, cooking and pets are not allowed in the yurt. The yurt is air conditioned and it sleeps up to 6.

Learn more about the Yurt at Kiptopeke State Park here, trust me, it's way cool.

YOUR OWN PRIVATE IDAHO   

Unique lodging in a Yurt at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaUnique lodging in a Yurt at Kiptopeke State Park

Check out the interior of the Yurt at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaInterior shot of the Yurt

Natural area above beach amphitheater near Yurt at Kiptopeke State Park, VirginiaNatural area above beach and amphitheater near Yurt

We're here to help

Just call 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and ask a reservation counselor if you have questions about any campground, site, reservation or cancellation policies. Or, as always you can go online and see what is available 24/7, it's a perk we like to call online reservations. The online reservations page can be accessed from any park page, directly. In any event, we're here to help!

Each park has a map of the campgrounds and sites on their website page at Virginia State ParksTypical campground map shows site numbers and proximity to bathhouse

Camp site 36 at Fairy Stone State Park in VirginiaThis is campsite 36 at Fairy Stone State Park

Each camp site has a fire ring to use during your stay (like this one at Fairy Stone State Park, Virginia)Each site has a fire ring for you to use during your stay and a bath house

RV campsites as well as tent sites at Fairy Stone State Park and 28 Virginia State Parks

Camping is a ton of fun whether you are in a tent, camping cabin, RV or a Yurt      

We do listen to your feedback, your comments really do count, so keep filling out those surveys after your stay, and keep accumulating points for free overnights with our new Customer Loyalty Program. We agree with you, Virginia State Parks is the best place to camp in Virginia.

   FIND YOUR PARK

PARKS
Fairy Stone State Park  |  Kiptopeke State Park  |  Occoneechee State Park  |  Powhatan State Park
CATEGORIES
Camping
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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 (January 13, 2017 09:18:15 PM): Luc what is your area code? The line is supposed to work in Canada but sometimes there are issues with particular area codes. If you email me your phone number at nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov I can get someone to call you Tuesday (Monday is a holiday in the states).

As to your question, other than Grayson Highlands State Park (because it is at 5,000 feet), all of our parks have fairly reliable weather in April so it will depend more on whether you want mountains, beach or in between, what you like to do when you are camping (hiking or fishing, etc.), what part of the state/other areas you would like to visit. If you let me know some of those things in an email, I can give you some suggestions.

Luc (January 13, 2017 04:41:00 PM): I am looking to go camping in your area next april. Can you suggest me which park is the more appropriate for that time of the year. I do camping with a 21' trailer and two dogs.

thanks

p.s. do you know that you 1-800 number is not accessible from Canada?

Virginia State Parks (July 31, 2016 08:59:43 PM): Mr. Chubb - Are you looking for water and electric? could you respond to me at Nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov?

David Clubb (July 31, 2016 08:35:59 PM): We are a family of seven with a large 10-person tent looking to camp for two nights, 9/23-9/25. We just moved to VA from CO. We loved camping in CO and found great campsites that provided ample room for our large family. We live in Blacksburg, VA now. Would you have any recommendation on a campground and specific campsite within a couple of hours that would accommodate our large tent and large family without being crammed right next to other campers?

Thanks.
David

Virginia State Parks (June 23, 2016 04:17:55 PM): Saturday is the Great American Campout - hope you will be camping this weekend! Thank you for the great comments on our blog Nia.

Nia (June 23, 2016 02:16:51 AM): A lot of inspiration here for camping trips. I used to go camping when I was a kid and am now re-living the experience and going to campsites with my children. Camping is a great way to vacation or go away for a quick trip. You can stay in some wonderfully beautiful places and you are so close to nature. You really get away from it all. Plus it is so much cheaper than staying in hotels.

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