Whether you’re looking for a night of solitude or a place to camp with the whole family, there’s a Virginia State Park out there to fit your needs. More than half of the state’s 42 parks feature some type of lodging, from tent and RV sites to cabins, lodges, and yurts. Find your spot by the water or amongst the trees today
For the Old-Fashioned Fanatics
If you are one who enjoys the truly primitive aspect of camping, there are plenty of Virginia State Parks to choose from! These sites have no electricity, and water and bathroom access vary, making for a true backcountry experience. Sky Meadows State Park exclusively offers primitive camping, requiring campers to hike one mile with their gear to campsites. This 1,860-acre park boasts scenic views, woodlands, and historic farm pastures in the Crooked Run Valley. Additionally, Shenandoah River State Park‘s River Right Campground offers 12 standard canoe-in or walk-in tent sites with potable water, while Powhatan State Park‘s primitive campground features nine canoe-in or walk-in tent sites. Explore the scenic waters of the Shenandoah and James Rivers right from your campsite.
Take it a step further at False Cape State Park, where the camping is extremely primitive and recommended for experienced campers only. Nestled between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, this park is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast.
For the RV Explorers
Pack the rig and hit the road to Douthat State Park for breathtaking mountain scenery, interpretive programs, four miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, and more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. Holliday Lake State Park is another excellent RV spot for water activities. No room for a boat? The park rents canoes, kayaks, jon boats, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats on site!
James River State Park features rolling grasslands, quiet forests and three miles of shoreline along the historic James River, and makes for the perfect place to park your rig. Or, you can explore the diverse wildlife habitats and deep-rooted Native American history at Machicomoco State Park, along the York River.
For the Cabin and Lodge Lovers
14 parks, from the Eastern Shore to the heart of Appalachia offer group lodging, making family reunions and other large gatherings a breeze. Occoneechee State Park sits on Virginia’s largest lake, Buggs Island Lake, and is popular amongst anglers and boaters. Discover more lakeside views at Fairy Stone State Park, home to one camping lodge, four yurts, one five-bedroom lodge and 25 cabins. 11 climate-controlled cabins await at Twin Lakes State Park, where visitors can enjoy swimming, fishing, hiking, boating and lakeside picnicking. Hungry Mother, one of the original six state parks, is a great spot for the whole family. Cabins, yurts and a six-bedroom family lodge are available, plus access to miles of trail, swimming, and bass fishing.
This is just a small sampling of what the Virginia State Parks have to offer travelers from all over the region. Discover even more opportunities for camping by the ocean or refreshing mountain lakes as you experience a wide variety of landscapes across the commonwealth.
