7 Amazing Camping Locations in Virginia

With a sky full of bright stars overhead and the soothing sounds of crickets chirping, the experience of camping connects you to nature in a way that is hard to describe.

Whether you want a quick escape from the city or are looking for a primitive weekend getaway with nature, these campsites offer a scenic stay in some of Virginia’s most interesting areas.

False Cape State Park—Virginia Beach
One of the only underdeveloped areas along the Virginia Atlantic coast, False Cape State Park is a beautiful oasis of untouched shoreline that is perfect for coastal camping. The park is popular for primitive camping (no showers, electricity, or stall bathrooms) but offers extensive activities for visitors, including guided kayak trips, biking trails, and six miles of untouched beachfront for swimming and sunbathing. Reachable only by foot, bicycle, or boat, the campgrounds have no public vehicular access.

New River Trail State Park—Foster Falls
Hiking, biking, fishing, and horseback riding keep the New River Trail State Park busy during the day, but many outdoor enthusiasts stick around to stay at the park’s campground. There are primitive campsites located all along the trail for escalating levels of experience. If you are looking for a little more comfort, the Cliffview and Millrace sites have fire pits, lantern posts, and picnic tables. You can even rent canoes and bikes if you do not have your own equipment.

Grayson Highlands State Park Camping—Mouth of Wilson
Grayson Highlands State Park Campground offers basic campgrounds with beautiful views, but that is just the beginning. The park is the gateway to the state’s highest peak, Mount Rogers, and also an entry to the Appalachian Trail. You can hike, bike, and even ride a horse along the trails. And don’t be surprised if you come across some interesting wildlife while venturing through the region; wild ponies roam the park freely.

Chickahominy Riverfront Park—Williamsburg
Centrally located in the historic Triangle region of Jamestown, Yorktown, and Williamsburg, the Chickahominy Riverfront Park is 140 acres of gorgeous riverfront campgrounds that put you right in the center of Virginia history. A total of 160 campsites sit alongside a bluff above the Chickahominy River. Guests enjoy the scenic views of the waterfront and all the activities that the river affords, such as boat, canoe, and kayak access (which can be rented through the park), fishing, swimming, or simply sunbathing along the shores.

Douthat State Park—Clifton Forge
Nestled in the Alleghany Mountains, Douthat State Park provides visitors with plenty of activities and a scenic mountain backdrop. The park’s 50-acre lake offers swimming, boating, and fishing, and there are more than 40 miles of wooded hiking trails encircling the park. The campgrounds have bathhouses with showers and toilets, and the sites are pet-friendly.

Pocahontas State Park—Chesterfield
Just outside Richmond, Pocahontas State Park has campsites with electric and water hookups, picnic tables, and grills. There are restrooms with showers and hot water available in the park, along with an outdoor pool and laundry facilities open to guests.

Crabtree Falls Campground—Tyro
Off the Blue Ridge Parkway near Wintergreen Resort, the Crabtree Falls Campground is open year-round and sits on the Tye River. The campgrounds are only a short hike away from their namesake, Crabtree Falls, which is the highest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi. Tent, RV, or cabin camping options are available to guests, and pets are welcome throughout the campground.

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