Nice VA State Park? July 4th Week

[big_john]

Any advice on a great STATE PARK or NATIONAL PARK in Virginia OTHER THAN Shenandoah? We have two kids (7 + 10) who love to swim so that would be a bonus.

We are taking a week at July 4 (I know, I know) and want to do another trip to SW Virginia as we have some close friends in Charlottesville and in Martinsville that may come out and rent a cabin or two so we'd like to be close. Looks like Hungry Mother might fit the bill?

Just need a recommendation.

By the way we just returned from Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL on a recommendation from a forum member and it was GREAT!!

[rideair]

Here's a good one.

Lot's of places to visit, GW Birth place, Lee's home place, etc...

Westmoreland State Park

[ZoominC6]

Hungry Mother is a good one. Shade trees, lake, nice park restaurant if you like that kind of stuff when camping. The higher elevation of nearby Grayson Highlands State Park would be cooler but no cabins and you'd have to swim in the deep holes in the cool mountain streams. Both parks are favorites of ours and lots of other folks in the commonwealth so reserve NOW! Have fun.

[65Safari65]

If Charlottesville is the general target area, then I'd suggest Sherando Lake State Park. I think it's about 20 minutes away, and a great swimming lake.


Facility Details - Recreation.gov, Sherando Lake Recreation Area Family Camping (VA) - Recreation.gov

[Lily&Me]

Cumberland Gap is beautiful, but I don't know about swimming. There is an outstanding Museum of Appalachia nearby that will have lots of hands-on activities for the kiddies.

Maggie

[zimchu]

if you are in the Charlottesville area, Douthat is about an hr west. Has a nice lake with sand beach and a few campsites to chose from as well as cabins!

Dan Chu
Round Hill VA

[tslanier]

Highland Haven

All Airstream Park

[FordTruck]

Ditto on the Westmoreland State Park. Let me also suggest:
Breaks Interstate Park - Breaks Interstate Park
Lake Fairfax - Lake Fairfax Park Campgrounds, Fairfax County Park Authority
Prince William (part of the National Park system) www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/camping.htm
Paradise Lake (Private CG but lots of history in the area - Appomatox, Lynchburg, etc)
PARADISE LAKE FAMILY CAMPGROUND - APPOMATTOX, VA
Meadows of Dan CG - Home Page

[WineStream]

Your geographic target is a bit away from our expertise. We travel trough that area a lot, but rarely stay overnight. We're camping at Pocahontas State Park (near Richmond) right now and it is a wonderful park. We even did 2 loads of laundry while here as there are laundry facilities in seemingly every bathhouse. We've been able to pick up the major TV networks over the antenna so the kids have been happy. We're moving to Chippokes State Park outside of Williamsburg later today. I'd say that you really can't go wrong with a VA state park so long as they have water / elec. hookups.

I'll second Highland Haven Airstream Park as a place to stay. It may not work if you're planning to have lots of family come to visit you at the campsite, but for Airstream nuts it's an incredible visit.

[Lani]

I would also agree that Douthat State Park is really nice. I didn't camp there but I did visit and go swimming in the lake. It's a great park. We are currently near Sherando Lake Park but weren't able to stay there on this trip (need internet for work and couldn't get service there) but I hear great things about it as well.

[Rebee]

VA State Parks
Park Locations

Two I have used
Lake Anna State Park
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/lak.shtml
Pocahontas
Pocahontas State Park

[Jack46]

You'd enjoy First Landing - on the Chesapeake Bay. If you are lucky you may get a site that backs up over the dunes. Only challenge will be availability now for July 4. Good luck

[TouringDan]

Sherando Lake is a great campground, one of our favorites, but you won't be able to camp there July 4 because they don't take reservations. One place that always has space is Peaks of Otter Campground on the Parkway. However no hook-ups.