If you want a short overnight break to cast a line, or paddle a canoe and just aren't interested in a lengthy drive to the beach, you can cool off right here in central Virginia along the shores of a lake or river. We've got plenty of fun instore when you visit these three central Virginia state parks.

Camping is a great American pastime, and there's no better way to experience the outdoors and make fond memories than to pitch a tent, pop-up camper or RV at a Virginia State Park.

Site 18 at Bear Creek Lake State Park in central Virginia has a lovely water view 

There's just nothing finer in the hot summertime than to camp near a body of water where you can play and recreate.

Fortunately for us, we have three awesome campgrounds that are an easy drive in central Virginia. Two of these three Virginia State Parks are on small lakes and have swimming beaches, and one is along the James River.

Here are a few of my favorite camping destinations in the central part of the state, found only at Virginia State Parks. If I could only choose three, then these would be my top three, you will see why:

1. | BEAR CREEK LAKE STATE PARK

Bear Creek Lake is less than an hour west of Richmond in the Cumberland State Forest in central Virginia and is a perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast. Activities center on the 40-acre lake with a boat launch, fishing pier, boat rentals and a swimming beach. Guests also enjoy the park's trails and access to the adjoining 16,000-acre Cumberland State Forest, including the 14-mile Cumberland Multi-use Trail, which is available for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

Overnight visitors enjoy free swimming at the park's beach and when guarded swimming is unavailable, guests may swim at the beach’s designated area but do so at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited. The swimming beach has restrooms and Lakeside Diner, which offers sandwiches, snacks and drinks.

A 40-acre lake supports largemouth bass, crappie, bream and channel catfish. The Willis River, a small, slow tributary of the James, winds through the Cumberland State Forest. Those with a canoe or small boat can enjoy fishing there. Two canoe launches with access to the river are in Cumberland State Forest. A boat ramp at Bear Creek Lake is available for non-gasoline powered boats. The park also has a universally accessible fishing pier.

Boat rentals are available from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Shoulder season rentals are offered on weekends only from mid-April through Columbus Day Weekend. Parental supervision is required for all rentals.

The park also rents a camping lodge (bunkhouse) that's next to the group campsite and near Chestnut Loop. The bunkhouse is not a full service lodge. It has two rooms and seven bunk beds, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a coffee pot, and heating and air conditioning. Learn more here.

Bear Creek Lake allows campsite-specific reservations in the Acorn and Chestnut loops. Here's a chart of those campsites (PDF) (PDF) and a map of them (PDF) (PDF). Also, here are photos of the sites. Total sites = 48

2. | TWIN LAKES STATE PARK

In the heart of central Virginia, this 548-acre, historic park offers many cultural, environmental and recreational activities. Overnight accommodations include a 33-site campground and 11 climate-controlled cabins. Visitors enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, boating and lakeside picnicking at two lakes. 

Guests enjoy Six miles of hiking trails take the visitor through hardwood forests and along the lakes. An 8-mile, non-loop multi-use trail in the adjacent Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest is open to hikers, bikers and horses. Bikers and horseback riders 16 and older must have a state forest permit, which can be purchased wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold, to utilize the trail. 

Between the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day, guarded beach swimming is available free for campers. Weather and other issues may at times force suspension of guarded swimming. When guarded swimming is unavailable, guests may swim at the beach’s designated area but do so at their own risk. Swimming elsewhere in the park is prohibited. 

Boating is allowed on both lakes and electric motors may be used. There is a public boat launch for each lake. Rowboats and canoes are available for rent year-round. Paddleboards and paddleboats are available for rent only during summer. Solo kayaks are rented as weather permits May through September. Click here (PDF) (PDF) for watercraft rental fees. Click here for boat ramp fees. 

Half the sites may be specifically reserved; the rest are assigned upon arrival. Here's a table with details (PDF) (PDF) about sites that may be specifically reserved.  Total sites = 33

3. | POWHATAN STATE PARK

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 habitat, from open fields to upland hardwood forests. Other amenities include a full-service campground, a primitive canoe-in campground, a group campground, multi-use trails, wildlife observation areas, picnic shelters and a playground.

The park has about 12 miles of multi-use trails through various habitats including field edge, upland pine forest and mature hardwoods. The trails provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. The park has about 9 miles of bridle trails, and 2.5 miles of James River waterfront trails.

River Bend Campground has 29 campsites with electric and water hookups for various equipment – tents, popups and RVs up to 60 feet long. 

A canoe-in campground, accessible by the James River, has eight primitive sites (no electricity or water) and is open year-round. The campground has a composting toilet but no bathhouse. There's also a parking lot .2 miles away from which campers may hike with gear to the campground. There is also a group camp available, for clubs, scout troops and large family events and has four campsites that accommodate up to 24 campers total.

The campground has a bathhouse with restrooms with hot showers. Sites have fire-rings, picnic tables and lantern holders. Click here (PDF) (PDF) for descriptions of site-specific campsites. Total sites = 37

BONUS

Have you ever considered volunteering as a camp host? Many assume it's just for retirees, but below you see the Britt Family who hosted Twin Lakes State Park. You can read their story here. Learn more about camp host responsibilities and perks here.

Become part of the Virginia State Parks family when you camp host

LET'S GO CAMPING

Twenty-eight 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. Site specific campsite information is found here.

Developed and group campsites have picnic tables, grills and access to bathhouses. Here is a list of campgrounds with RV sites.

See Part 1 of this series: Top 3 Favorite Camping Destinations in Western Virginia

Part 2 Top 3 Favorite Camping Destinations in Eastern Virginia

GO PRIMITIVE

Primitive campsites generally have fire grills, picnic tables, pit toilets and non-potable water. Primitive hike-in camping is available at Caledon, False Cape and Sky Meadows. Primitive drive-in camping is available at James River, and hike-in and canoe-in sites are available at New River Trail and Shenandoah River, and Belle Isle state parks. Equestrian camping sites are available at Grayson Highlands, James River, New River Trail and Occoneechee state parks.

HORSES

Some parks have equestrian campsites, most with horse stalls, find a list of those places here. 

HYBRID CAMPING

If you want to go camping but don't have all the equipment, you can always rent a camping cabin, camping lodge or yurt, learn more here.

You're in luck, there are yurts available at Powhatan State Park.

PETS

The campgrounds are pet-friendly. One of the great things about Virginia State Parks is that you can bring your four-legged loved ones along as well.

There is no charge for your pet to stay with you in your campsite, so Fido can come too but, of course, there are limits. Learn more about pets in parks here.

SCORE BIG EARN POINTS

When you reserve, be sure to sign up for the Customer Loyalty Program to earn points that may be used for free overnight stays.

HOW TO BOOK

Visit the Reserve America site to reserve your campsite, or to ask any questions about amenities and features of a particular park or campground. You can also call 800-933-7275 Monday - Friday.

#ThinkOutside