Camping magic happens when you spend quality time together outdoors, under an open sky or a starry night. It's what constitutes lifelong memories when you pitch a tent, or try to ignite kindling into a roaring fire to toast marshmallows for s'mores. Joy and laughter is found outside, naturally.

When you spend a few nights at a Virginia State Park campground, you may encounter wildlife, or even experience unexpected weather related adventures. But that's all part of the fun when you go camping, and something we look forward to year after year. It is also something that helps bonds us closer to one another.

A few nights under the stars is just what the doctor ordered

Here are some of my favorite camping destinations in the western part of the state, found only at Virginia state Parks. If I could only choose three, then these would be my top three:

1. | DOUTHAT STATE PARK

Amid some of Virginia's most awe-inspiring mountain scenery, guests enjoy interpretive programs, four miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a sandy swimming beach with snack bar, boat rentals, a gift shop and camp store. Plus more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. This park has been called a mecca for mountain bikers.

And, there are playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic areas, and a restaurant opened seasonally that overlooks the lake. Douthat is known for delightful, inviting campsites. Some offer a splendid view of Douthat Lake.

Douthat allows guests to reserve specific campsites. Here's a table of those campsites. Also, here are photos of the sites. Total sites = 87

2. | HUNGRY MOTHER STATE PARK

A hop, skip and a jump off of I-81 is a longtime family favorite known for stunning woodlands and a placid 108-acre lake in the heart of the mountains, Hungry Mother has a sandy beach with bathhouse, boat rentals (fishing, canoe, kayak and paddle), a boat launch and a universally accessible fishing pier. This park has some incredible nature-based park programs.

Guests also enjoy the gift shops, visitor center, hiking and biking trails, and original CCC facility, the park's full-service, park-operated seasonal The Restaurant.

Hungry Mother allows guests to reserve specific campsites. Here's a table of those campsites. Also, here are photos of the sites. Total sites = 81 total in the park; 50 of which are in Camp Burson

3. | NATURAL TUNNEL STATE PARK

The tunnel is more than 850 feet long and as tall as a 10-story building, and 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, a swimming pool with a 100-foot slide and a chairlift to the tunnel floor. Guests can also enjoy cave tours and canoe trips on the Clinch River. The camp store and kayak programs are new this year.  

Natural Tunnel sites in Lover's Leap Campground may be specifically reserved. Here's a table with details about those sites. Click here for pictures of those sites. Cove View Campground sites are reserved upon arrival. Total sites = 34

BONUS

Swimming Beach at Hungry Mother State Park

Boat launching and swimming is free for overnight guests. During prime season, a day of guarded beach swimming at Hungry Mother, or Douthat or the 5,400 square foot pool at Natural Tunnel is free per night stay to our guests. 

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.

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 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.

Yurts available at both Hungry Mother and Natural Tunnel State Parks.

(Photo by Gwen Hurt: Powhatan Yurt)

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.

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