Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club

John and I have camped at many of the 18 state parks that offer camping in Virginia. The 6 original parks were built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Most of those with camping include a lake with swimming beach.

I will post a reply to this main message with reviews/info about the parks in which we have camped.

Madonna Hoecker

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Bear Creek Lake State Park
22 Bear Creek Lake Road
Cumberland, VA 23040
Phone: (804) 492-4410
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/bea.shtml
Email: bearcreek@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2009

We found Bear Creek Lake to show its age a bit, although it is clean and well maintained. The campground road is paved but sites are covered in gravel. We had to use our boards to get close to level. The bath house was very clean. We enjoyed viewing the wild life. No cell phone coverage here (we have Verizon).

Update: http://birdsnsky.blogspot.com/2009/06/m ... state.html

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

First Landing State Park
2500 Shore Drive
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-1415
Phone: (757) 412-2300
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/fir.shtml
Email: firstlanding@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2008

First Landing is perfect for the beach lover. Camp IN the sand dunes, therefore sites are sand. Bring your leveling boards. Sites front to Cape Henry and Chesapeake Bay. Well staffed and friendly office and camp store. Recreational activities for beach combers, hikers, bicyclists, and birders. We love this park! You will definitely need reservations in-season.

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Holliday Lake State Park
2759 State Park Road
Appomattox, VA 24522
Phone: (434) 248-6308
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hol.shtml
Email: hollidaylake@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2009

We found the park to be clean and well maintained. Camping sites are paved and most looked to be out of level. We took the most level looking site and still had to use a number of our boards. The campground is built on the side of a hill and negotiating between some of the sites can be quite tight. I can’t imagine camping there with a rig much larger then our 28’ RSB. John rates the bath house as very good, based on cleanliness and state of repair. Well marked hiking trails and a very nice swim area provide great recreational activities.

Update: http://birdsnsky.blogspot.com/2009/06/m ... -park.html

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

James River State Park
751 Park Road
Gladstone, VA 24553
Phone: (434) 933-4355
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/jam.shtml
Email: jamesriver@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2009

This park is located along the banks of the James River. It is relatively new with level camp sites – sites are NOT by the river. The bath house is very clean and modern. Well marked trails abound. Several ponds with bridges and walkways contain fish and other life forms. Lots of wild blackberry, mountain laurel, and rhodedendron throughout the park. Other park features include horse stables and horse trailer campground, canoe livery service (in season), and a nature center.

Update: John's James River blog entry - http://birdsnsky.blogspot.com/2009/06/m ... -park.html

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Pocahontas State Park
10301 State Park Road
Chesterfield, VA 23832-6355
Phone: (804) 796-4255
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/poc.shtml
Email: pocahontas@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2009

Pocahontas is a well established and popular family-oriented park close to Richmond. The campground roads are paved with sites covered in gravel. Most sites are not level. The campgrounds have trees between each site, minimizing the feeling of having campers close by. The park maintains two roomy and clean dump stations in addition to a potable water station. Very friendly office staff. The campstore offers everything Rvers need, including laundry and ice cream. Excellent signage on well maintained multiuse trails (bikes, horses, hikers). There are some separate mountain bike trails. There is an ecology camp onsite and the park offers interpretive guided canoe tours. Other amenities include a swim beach, aqua center and pool.

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Smith Mountain Lake State Park
1235 State Park Road
Huddleston, VA 24104-9547
Phone: (540) 297-6066
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/smi.shtml
Email: smlake@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2009

Smith Mountain Lake campground roads and sites are gravel covered. Both of our campsites were level and clean. Very new looking timbers, picnic table and fire ring. The bath houses are very clean and modern. Swim lake part of larger lake that is good for fishing and power boats. Full marina. Hiking trails around the lake – some are vigorous. Many opportunities to view birds and other wild life.

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Twin Lakes State Park
788 Twin Lakes Rd.
Green Bay, Va. 23942-2525
Phone: (434) 392-3435
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/twi.shtml
Email: twinlakes@dcr.virginia.gov
Visit: Spring, 2009

Twin Lakes has a small campground. Campground road and sites covered with gravel. Most of the inner sites are level. Those that back into the woods are out of level. Bath house is older but tidy and clean. Restrooms in beach area are clean and well maintained. Park staff is very friendly and helpful. The main attraction at this park is the water. Swimming, camping, fishing, canoeing and hiking are popular activities.

Update: John's blog entry about Twin Lakes - http://birdsnsky.blogspot.com/2009/06/m ... rk-va.html

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Kiptopeke State Park
3540 Kiptopeke Drive
Cape Charles, VA 23310
Phone: (757) 331-2267
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/kip.shtml
Email: kiptopeke@dcr.virginia.gov
Last visit: Spring, 2008

Kiptopeke is located along the Chesapeake Bay on Virginia’s eastern shore, 3 miles from Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. We have stayed there twice. Our first visit was about 8-9 years ago. Our first trip was so enjoyable, we went again in 2008. Camping is in a large open field type setting. Sites mostly out of level. This is the only state park that offers TV hookups. Unfortunately, this park has not been well maintained. The park road is riddled with rather large potholes. The bath house was totally unacceptable. Notably, the men’s room floor was covered with over an inch of sewer backup. At first, John thought it was mud but he soon realized the awful truth! Simply put: gross!! The staff was apathetic. We had to wait until they finished their social luncheon with their friends before we could register. Staff was alerted to state of the bath house. No action had been taken by the next morning. Boat ramps, fishing pier, and swimming beach. Along a major bird flyway. Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory (http://www.cvwo.org/) nearby. Superb birding area! Unfortunately, based on our last experience, we will not return.

Note: If you find yourself in the area, consider stopping by Stingrays Restaurant (part of a gas station). The restaurant serves great sweet potato biscuits and sweet potato fries. Local cooks ensure you will get a genuine eastern shore culinary adventure. NOT for the health conscious!!

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Westmoreland State Park
1650 State Park Road
Montross, Va. 22520-9717
Phone: (804) 493-8821
Web: http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/wes.shtml
Email: westmoreland@dcr.virginia.org

Westmoreland campground roads and sites are paved. Most are not level. Wooded campground offers shade from the hot summer sun. Recreation includes hiking, biking, fishing, and swimming. Park runs along part of the Potomac River.

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John & Madonna Hoecker
2008 RSB

Fairy Stone SP is located in SW Virginia, about 50 miles south of Roanoke, and not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway. The park offers camping, cottages, beach and over 18 miles of hiking trails. The smallish CG is located on the side of a hill; a short walk takes you down to the lake and beach. Sites are fairly wooded.

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Ted H.
'05 LD RB
www.wxtoad.com
www.ultimatecampgrounds.com

Douthat State Park
14239 Douthat State Park Road
Millboro, VA 24460
Phone: 540-862-8100
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat.shtml

This park is off I-64 near the WV border. There are 4 campgrounds with 87 total gravel sites. We stayed in White Oak campground which was wooded with a stream running through it. Our large gorgeous campsite backed up the the stream. While the bathroom is a bit dated, we found this scenic park to be among our favorites. There is plenty to do here with a swimming beach on the lake, miles of hiking/biking trails, several miles of stream for fishing and a visitor center with programming. We have stayed here twice as we traveled to the Midwest and back.

~Paula

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Tom and Paula
2005 24RB

I will add a new one to the list. Powhatan state a park just opened and has camping. Sites are pretty level with electric. Have a new campground with fairly level sites and Yurts as well

4616 Powhatan State Park Road
Powhatan, VA 23139

Note it is off Old River Trail if your GPS is not current as it is a new park and the campground just opened. I drove thru last month and it is a nice campground

OVERNIGHT FACILITIES
Camping. For information on availability of other parks' overnight accommodations, particular park amenities or to make a reservation, you can reserve online or call 1-800-933-PARK. Click here for park fees. Click here for details on reservation cancellations and transfer policies (near the bottom of the page).

Cabins: None in the park, but nearby Bear Creek Lake and Twin Lakes state parks have cabins.

Yurts

Recreational yurts are a modern adaptation of an ancient nomadic shelter. Functionally speaking, they’re a cross between a tent and a cabin. The park has three yurts in the main campground. Each yurt has a large wooden deck with patio tables, a picnic table and a fire-ring with cooking grate. Reservations are required. Parking for two vehicles is allowed. Those with additional vehicles must pay a daily parking fee and park in the overflow lot by the campground entrance.

Check-in is 4 p.m. and checkout is 10 a.m. The rental season begins on the first Friday in March and ends on the first Sunday of December. The yurts become available for rent on May 15. Cabin rental and cancellation policies apply. There is a two-night minimum rental during camping season.

Maximum occupancy four. Sleeps three. One queen-sized and a twin-sized trundle pull-out. Guests must bring sleeping bags or linens.
No smoking, cooking or pets allowed in the yurt.
Each yurt has no electricity or water of its own, but there's a common-use water spigot shared among the yurts.
Dining table seats four.
No heat or air-conditioning.
Guests use the campground bathhouse.
Yurt A is ADA-accessible.
Camping

River Bend Campground has 29 campsites with electric and water hookups for various equipment – tents, popups and RVs up to 60 feet long. The campground offers no river views. Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m. Campers are welcome to arrive earlier but cannot be guaranteed a site until the official check-in time. Sites 1-14 may be reserved by site number; all others are available for selection at the time of arrival. The campground is open from the first Friday in March to the first Monday in December. The campground has a bathhouse with restrooms with hot showers. Sites have fire-rings, picnic tables and lantern holders. Click here (PDF) for descriptions of site-specific campsites. Click here for photos of the site specific sites.

Tents must fit on the 25’ by 35' tent pad.
Outlets accept 20, 30 and 50-amp current.
All camping equipment and vehicles must fit on the campsite. Sites are limited to two camping units, only one of which may be axled. Site rental includes parking fees for up to two vehicles. Customers must pay parking fees for additional vehicles.
Those visiting overnight guests must pay a daily parking fee and leave the park by 10 p.m.
Quiet time is from 10 p.m. through 8 a.m.
Campsites have round grills on a cement pad on the ground. The grill may be used to make a campfire or for cooking. Campfires are allowed only in the designated area.
Site 13 is handicapped-accessible.
Primitive - A canoe-in campground, accessible by the James River, has eight primitive sites (no electricity or water) and is open year-round. The campground has a toilet but no bathhouse. There's also a parking lot .2 miles away from which campers may hike with gear to the campground.

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2015 Royal Splendor on Ford 550 none slide version
Former owner 2007 24foot rear bath painted and 2006 22 foot built for two
Former owner 1994 34 foot 2000 36 foot and 2001 42 foot FORETRAVEL's.