50 Epic Campsites in The Great Outdoors At Campgrounds In Virginia

What could be better than getting out of the city’s hustle and bustle to spend a night or two under the stars and experience what some of the excellent campgrounds in Virginia offer their guests.

What types of Campgrounds are in Virginia?

Their is no end to your choices when deciding where to camp in Virginia. You can pick between a primitive campground with sparse amenities all the way up to a campground full of luxuries like cable TV, Wi-Fi, swimming pools and other resort amenities.

Where can you go camping in Virginia?

After choosing the style of camping and campground you would be most comfortable at, it is time to select your location.

Virginia has excellent campgrounds along the river, in the mountains, near wineries, and beachfront spots along lakes, the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Or, you could simply book a campsite around the corner from home.

Camping with Dogs in Virginia

At many of the campgrounds, you can even bring your furry friends with you. After all, who loves the outdoors more than dogs? Just make sure you bring everything you will need to pick up after your pooch. No one wants to sleep in the great outdoors with your dog’s smells.

Camping options in Virginia

With two dozen state forests, nearly 40 state parks, almost 20 National Park areas, and all the private campgrounds available to you, researching and choosing the perfect campground could be time-consuming.

So, we did all of the work for you. Now can easily find your ideal camping spot, pack up and have a great adventure.

Listed below are a few of our favorite Virginia campgrounds and all the information you need to prepare for a great night in the outdoors.

Camping in Virginia State Parks

While we love Shenandoah National Park, Virginia State Parks are just as amazing with even more camping options available to solo hikers, couples, families and groups of friends.

Chipppokes Plantation State Park

• Address: 695 Chippokes Park Rd, Surry, VA 23883
• Distance from Washington D. C.: 170 miles / 2 hours 50 minutes
• Open: First Friday in March through the 1st Monday in December
• Website
• Reservations

Chippokes Plantation State Park is a working farm along the James River and is one of Virginia’s top camping locations.

Camping in Chipppokes Plantation State Park

At Chippokes Plantation, the living history site has 49 sites with water and electric hookups and a group site for four tents. There are also three yurts and four cabins that you can rent.

Each of the sites has a fire ring, and you can purchase firewood onsite.

When making reservations note that many of the sites in ring two are not level and are better suited for tents.

Things to do in Chipppokes Plantation State Park

During your stay, you will want to take advantage of the swimming pool and beach area, hiking trails, Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum, and a visitor center that offers educational events throughout the season.

Douthat State Park

• Address: 14239 Douthat State Park Rd, Millboro, VA 24460
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 220 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes
• Open: Year-round
• Website
• Reservations

Within the Allegheny Mountains, Douthat State Park, one of Virginia’s six original state parks, offers campers a scenic mountain landscape with a 50-acre lake where you can spend time fishing, boating and swimming.

Things to do in Douthat State Park

When not at the lake, enjoy hiking, biking or horseback riding on the 40 miles of trails, visit the interpretive center or participate in the nature programs.

While staying here, you may want to also visit the beautiful Natural Bridge, soak in the Warm Spring baths, or walk across Humpback Bridge, Virginia’s oldest covered bridge.

Douthat State Park Campsites

The campground offers 87 campsites, some even with lake views, plus bathhouses with hot showers. The campsites each have a grill, fire pit, picnic table, water and lantern post.

Glamping Options in Douthat State Park

For those who want to enjoy the campground but do not have a tent or camper, you can rent one of the 35 rustic cabins or three lodges. These come with A/C and heat, fireplaces and linens.

Are Dogs Allowed in Douthat State Park?

Feel free to bring your dogs with you since Douthat State Park is pet-friendly.

False Cape State Park

• Address: 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 220 miles / 3 hours 40 minutes
• Open: Year-round
• Website
• Reservations

False Cape State Park in southern Virginia Beach offers four beachfront primitive campgrounds that are either a hike of 5.6 – 8.4 miles or a boat-in by kayak or canoe from Little Island City Park.

False Cape State Park Campground Amenities

These are very primitive campgrounds with pit toilets and no electricity or showers. There are three locations available for drinking water.

Things to do in False Cape State Park

However, for those interested in environmental education programs, bike trails, untouched beaches to enjoy sunbathing and swimming, or guided kayak trips, these campgrounds are for you. 

Are Dogs Allowed in False Cape State Park?

Pets are welcome, but only for those who boat in since they are not permitted in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge that you must hike through.

First Landing State Park

• Address: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 200 miles / 3 hours 20 minutes
• Open:
  • Campsites: 1st Friday of March – 1st Monday of December
  • Yurts: 1st Friday of March – 1st Sunday of December
  • Cabins: Memorial Day weekend – Labor Day
• Website
• Reservations

On the Chesapeake Bay shores, First Landing State Park offers 205 campsites, 20 cabins and four yurts along 1.25 miles of beautiful shoreline.

Things to do in First Landing State Park

With more than a million visitors annually, this is Virginia’s most popular State Park. The 2,888-acre park on Virginia Beach’s northeast corner offers 19 miles of hiking and biking trails, beautiful unguarded beaches, an educational center with activities throughout the day. There is a boat launch area inland that has access to the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.

First Landing State Park Campsites

Some of the 205 campsites have both electric and water hookups, while others have no hookups. There are several group sites for up to three tents.

First Landing State Park Yurts

The four yurts sites are located in full sun, have a large deck, picnic tables, fire ring and pedestal grill. They do not have water, electricity, or a heating/ac unit. Each yurt can accommodate four people.  

Rustic Cabins in First Landing State Park

The rustic cabins have a kitchen, rustic furniture, ac/heat, a bathroom with a shower and a fireplace. They do not come with linens.

Are Dogs Allowed in First Landing State Park?

Pets are welcome to join you during your stay at First Landing.

Read our guide to Virginia Beach, VA

Grayson Highlands State Park

• Address: Grayson Highland Ln, Mouth of Wilson, VA 24363
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 360 miles / 5 hours 50 minutes
• Open:
  • Full-Service Camping – May – October
  • Primitive camping – March – November
• Website
• Reservations

The beautiful views from nearly 3,700 feet to over 5,000 feet in elevation in Grayson Highlands State Park are among the many reasons to book this campground. A stay here means access to the Appalachian Trail, Mount Rogers, the state’s highest peak, trails for biking, hiking, horseback riding, and a chance to see various wildlife (wild horses!) and mountain streams to trout fish.

The 89 dirt and gravel campsites vary from those with water and electric hookups to no hookups. Each site has a picnic table and grill, and some have horse stalls.

There is also a group campsite with five large tent pads. However, this site has no electricity or water hookups. You can purchase firewood and ice within the campground.

During March, April, and November, the primitive campsites have electricity and pit toilets but no showers. Water is available at the park office.  

Those without a camper or tent can rent one of the four yurts or the two-room bunkhouse.

Four yurts within the park have a large deck with rocking chairs and a fire ring. Each yurt can occupy four people. They do not have electricity, water, heat or air conditioning. If you rent one for your stay, make sure you bring all your bedding and towels.

The bunkhouse has seven bunk beds, a refrigerator, a coffee pot, a microwave, and heat and air conditioning. Outside there is a deck, picnic tables, and a grill. There is no bathroom within the bunkhouse.

Looking for glamping? Check out our guide to Glamping in Virginia.

Kiptopeke State Park

• Address: 3540 Kiptopeke Dr, Cape Charles, VA 23310
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 220 miles / 3 hours 30 minutes
• Open:
  • Lodge – last Friday of March – 1st Monday of December
  • Cabins – year-round
  • Yurt – 1st Friday of March – 1st Sunday of December
  • Campsites – 1st Friday of March – 1st Monday of December
• Website
• Reservations

You will find the delightful Kiptopeke State Park and about 400 species of birds on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

With the marshes, saltwater and maritime forests, this is a birder’s paradise in the fall as a considerable number of kinds of birds migrate through the area. The hawk observatory at Kiptopeke is also one of the nation’s top 15 places to view hawks.

The park has a variety of options on how to camp along the Chesapeake Bay.  

Cabins Kiptopeke State Park

One option is to stay in one of four cabins with 2- or 3-bedrooms. They have a refrigerator, stove, microwave, cooking utensils and dinnerware in the kitchen. The living area has a gas log fireplace. T

The cabins also have a heat/AC unit. There is no TV, and you must bring pillows and linens.

Lodges at Kiptopeke State Park

There are seven six-bedroom lodges with covered porches, fully furnished kitchens, living rooms with a gas log fireplace but no TV, and a dining area for larger groups.

Kiptopeke State Park Campsites

There are 161 campsites, with 109 having water, electric, and sewer hookups, and the remaining 52 for tents only and have no hookups. There are five group tent sites for groups of two or more tents.

Kiptopeke State Park Amentities

When not looking for birds, spend time at the unguarded Chesapeake Bay beach, explore the hiking trails, or head to the fishing pier to try your luck at catching dinner.

The campground does have bathrooms with hot showers, a dump station, a camp store, laundry facilities, and firewood for purchase.

Each campsite has a fire ring and picnic table.  

Are dogs allowed in Kiptopeke State Park?

For an additional fee, pets can stay at any of the lodging areas.

Pocahontas State Park

• Address: 10301 State Park Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 125 miles / 2 hours 20 minutes
• Open: Year-round
• Website
• Reservations

Just south of Richmond, Pocahontas State Park is a beautiful place to spend a relaxing week fishing for bass, bluegill or catfish. If fishing isn’t your think, you can also lounge around the Aquatic Center’s pools and water slides.

Things to do in Pocahontas State Park

You can also explore the Nature and Heritage Centers, walk or bike the 80 miles of trails, or rent a paddleboat, kayak, paddleboard or rowboat for a day on the water.

Pocahontas State Park Amenities

Choose between staying at one of the 129 campsites with water and electric hookups, grill, lantern holder, picnic table or making a reservation at one of the four yurts or six cabins.

The campground has laundry facilities and bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets. 

Are dogs allowed in Pocahontas State Park?

The campground also welcomes your pets for an additional fee.

More State Park Camping in Virginia

Virginia Campgrounds close to Washington D.C.

If you want to explore outside of the Virginia State Parks, you can check out some of the private campgrounds near Washington, D.C. Many offer luxurious amenities, glamping accommodations and even horseback riding.

So, whether you are looking for primitive sites, cabin camping, RV sites or just your basic tent camping, Virginia definitely has a spot for you.

Lake Fairfax Park Campground

• Address: 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA 20190
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 20 miles / 30 minutes
• Open: March 1 – November 30
• Website
• Reservations

The 476-acre Lake Fairfax Park offers a beautiful get-away option that is close to Washington D.C. and has a wide variety of things to do.

Things to do in Lake Fairfax Park

The kids will have a ball in the Western-themed Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, paddling around the lake in a paddleboat, fishing for dinner in the lake, hiking the trails, or taking a spin or two on the carousel.

Lake Fairfax Park Campground features

The 150 campsites feature fire rings, grills, and picnic tables. Scattered around the campground are playgrounds, athletic fields, bathhouses with hot showers and flush toilets.

You have an option of choosing a site with no hookups or ones with either 15/30 or 30/50 electric hookups. They also offer large (up to 100 people) and small (2-18 people) group campsites.

Senior Discount on Camping

If you are a senior (65+), they do offer a senior discount. You will be charged the full price when you make the reservations, but show your ID at check-in, and you will get a credit.

More D.C.- Area Campgrounds

• Shenandoah National Park camping
  • Big Meadows Campground
  • Mathews Arm (Skyline Drive)
  • Read our full guide to Shenandoah National Park camping
• A World Away Farms
• Beltway Park
• Burke Lake Virginia
• Elizabeth Furnace Campgrounds
• Harpers Ferry Adventure Center
• Hidden Acres Campground
• Primland
• The Mulchy Forest Site
• Wilderness Presidential Resort

North Bend Park and Campground

• Address: 64 N Bend Dr, Boydton, VA 23917
• Distance from Washington D.C.: 205 miles / 3 hours 20 minutes
• Open:
  • First Come – First Serve – January 1 – March 31
  • Peak Season – Reservations needed – April 1 – October 31
  • Out of Season (No Bookings) – November 1 – December 31

• Website
• Reservations

Just north of the North Carolina line along the 50,000-acre John H. Herr Reservoir, you will find 249 campsites that border the lake. Many of the campsites around the coves are lakefront and have a beach along the shoreline.

North Bend Park and Campground Amenities

The campground offers bathhouses with flush toilets and hot showers, walking trails, a 1.5-mile biking trail, a dump station, an amphitheater and three boat ramps.

Types of Camping in North Bend Park

There are both primitive campsites with no hookups and ones with electric and water hookups. The maximum length of RVs and trailers is 50 feet.

Things to do in North Bend Park

During your stay, enjoy pier fishing or keep your eyes peeled for eagles, herons, and osprey around the Kerr Dam.

Are dogs allowed in North Bend Park?

Pets are permitted in the campground and along the trails, but not along the beach.

Not ready to camp in VA? Rain wash out your trip?

Check out some of the best hotels and vacation rentals in Virginia.