When it comes to outdoor adventure, Virginia is a popular destination. If you’re contemplating going camping in Virginia this summer, here are six great spots to check out. Camping is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by many families in the United States every year. Millions of Americans go on a family camping trip at least once a year, and that number is increasing every year as people discover the benefits of getting out into nature with their loved ones. Apart from relaxing and having an enjoyable outing, camping offers a great opportunity for families to bond and spend quality time together. These camping sites include:
1. Shenandoah National Park:
Spanning across the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, Shenandoah is a campground unlike any other. There are multiple camping areas throughout the park that offer everything from car camping to backpacking sites. The park itself offers amenities such as laundry facilities and fresh drinking water that can be found in visitor centers and campgrounds. Campers stay in rustic cabins known as “lodges” for $76 a night or choose their own tent site without hookups for $15 a night.
2. James River State Park:
This family-friendly camping area features fishing, boating, hiking trails, nature study, horseback riding trails, and guided tours of the town Island on weekends during the summer. They also offer cabin rentals, log cabins, and camping cabins that accommodate up to four people. Visitors can stay overnight in the park for $20 a night with their own tent and $25-30 a night per person if they choose to stay in one of their cabins.
3. Kerr Lake:
This lake stretches across three different counties in North Carolina and Virginia and is most popular among flat water marina enthusiasts because it contains no large rapids or currents–making it the perfect place to take your boat out for an afternoon of fishing or just sightseeing along the water. There’s plenty of free primitive camping down by the lake itself, complete with picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. Suppose you’re looking for a more comfortable stay. In that case, there are also 20 developed campsites close to the park’s main entrance that offer bathhouses and electric hookups– perfect for families who want a little extra comfort while they enjoy the great outdoors.
4. James River:
Located in southeast Virginia along Route 10, this state park is part of Overmountain Victory National Trail and offers over 100 miles of remote backcountry trails through hardwood forests, rolling fields, and along bluffs overlooking the scenic river. There are several different camping areas to choose from that offer everything from primitive tent sites to full-service RV sites with electricity and water hook-ups. The campgrounds have bathrooms with hot showers as well as picnic tables, grills, and fire rings. James River offers a unique experience for visitors who enjoy hiking and camping–making it a wonderful location for people who want an outdoor adventure.
5. Pony Pasture Rapids:
This area of the James River is nestled in Richmond, Virginia’s James River Park System, just past the Huguenot Bridge near downtown Richmond. You can get there from Interstate 95 by taking the exit 78 from I-95 North, make a right onto Riverside Drive and then turn right on Forest Hill Ave/VA 161, which will lead you straight down to the river’s edge where you can park along the road next to a stone pillar marked “Pony.” Multiple trails wind through groves of trees and open up close to rapids that are perfect for wading in during the summer or skating on during the winter. These trails are also great places to go running, mountain biking, and trail hiking. Visitors looking to stay overnight can pitch a tent near the river’s edge for free–there’s even a fire ring so that you can spend the evening around the campfire. If you’d rather bring your own RV or boat, there are several different launching areas along Pony Pasture that offer parking.
6. The Falls:
This spot is part of Virginia’s James River Park System like its neighbor Pony Pasture Rapids, but it offers much more than just an opportunity to cool off in the water at one of Richmond’s stunning natural gems; set beside Belle Isle, the Falls offers the best rock climbing in the state as well as picturesque hiking trails that wind through hardwood forests and around Stony Creek. The multi-use trail system is home to more than 10 miles of trails ranging from beginner to advanced for hikers, joggers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. With all this action-packed into one spot, it’s no wonder why Richmond locals love coming out here again and again to enjoy everything this park has to offer.
Conclusion
The best part about staying at any of these spots is they are all great places for campers of all ages–perfect for families looking for a place where everyone can have fun or friends looking for an exciting outdoor adventure with lots of twists and turns. So grab your tent, your cooler and make plans to visit any one of these outdoor camping destinations across Virginia–the world is your oyster!
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