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Published: June 2, 2008
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EmailFor Don and Denise Keller, family vacations in state parks are ideal. The scenery is beautiful, there are no televisions to distract them from together time and the price of a campsite or cabin is well below that of many hotels.
As for the York County couple’s three boys, they dig all the fresh air and dirt. “They get out and run amok in the woods,” Don Keller said of his sons Sam, 10, Jack, 8, and Ben, almost 6. “We go fishing and hiking, ride bikes. There are picnic shelters to do cookouts and roast marshmallows. The cabin is like a little home. They just love it.”
Virginia is home to 35 state parks, as well as 30 parks, battlefields, historic sites and monuments administered by the National Parks Service (some shared with neighboring states). One of the Keller family’s favorites is Hungry Mother State Park in southwestern Virginia, a haven with woodlands, a lake and lodgings built with big wood timbers and stone fireplaces. Closer to home, Kelli Johnston of James City County favors Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry and day hikes at York River State Park near her home. “It’s great family time,” said Johnston, mom to Connor, 12, Amanda, 10, and Dylan, 7. “It’s also not like all you can get is a patch of dirt for a tent, assuming you want more than that. Some places there are hot showers – kind of a must for Amanda – and laundry and pools. So you don’t have to put in tons of planning to have fun.”
Here’s the basic scoop on “8 Great” parks in Virginia – all with facilities and activities recommended by Hampton Roads families. Rates vary by park, season and type of lodging, but families might pay $20 to $30 a night for a campsite and $90 to $120 a night for a one- or two-bedroom cabin in prime season. For more specific information and reservation policies at each park, go to www.dcr.virginia.gov, www.nps.gov or www.virginiaplaces.org/parktour/natparks.html.
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
Where: Near Chincoteague, Va., on the far northeastern portion of the Eastern Shore.
Special features include: Assateague is an undeveloped barrier island off the coast of Virginia and Maryland. It features miles of unspoiled beaches, salt marshes, coastal bays and a variety of wildlife, including a famous herd of wild horses. Visitors can swim, surf, fish, clam, hike, bike and camp in designated areas, as well as use over-sand vehicles by permit. One popular paved bicycle path leads to Assateague from the small town of Chincoteague, which also is home to restaurants, ice cream parlors and gift shops. Horseback riding may be available on the Virginia side of the park, and children can participate in a Junior Ranger program. Each summer, families flock to see the Chincoteague Wild Pony Swim, in which about 150 ponies swim across the Assateague Channel so some can be auctioned off to keep the herd at a healthy size. The event, scheduled for July 30 this year, also features a carnival. But note: Things get very crowded.
Lodging: Families can reserve campsites with facilities including cold water showers and drinking water in parts of the Maryland section of the park. Campers should be sure to bring insect repellant, tents with screens to keep out bugs and long stakes that can anchor well in the sand and wind. There also are hotels, bed and breakfasts and privately-owned campgrounds in nearby Chincoteague.
For information: Call (757) 336-6577 or (410) 641-3030. To reach the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, call (757) 336-6161.
CUMBERLAND GAP NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Where: In the Appalachian Mountains on the border of Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee (in the most southwestern portion of Virginia)
Special features include: Pioneers heading to the American West traveled through the park’s mountains long ago, and families can explore that history along with old Civil War fortifications. The visitor center has a playhouse where children can dress up like pioneers and pack pretend bags of supplies. Visitors also can take ranger-led tours through caves beneath the mountains and watch artisans making handmade crafts. The historic Hershey Settlement, established in 1904, includes an old one-room schoolhouse. Seventy miles of hiking and backpacking trails lead visitors through forests and past mountain streams and dramatic geologic formations. One popular spot, Pinnacle Overlook, offers a panoramic view into three different states.
Lodging: Many campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Wilderness Road Campground, off Virginia’s Route 58, offers 160 sites in a wooded setting, with hot showers and drinking water at comfort stations. Some sites have electrical hookups. Families also can reserve backcountry tent sites by permit, as well as a cabin with three wooden bunk beds. Other options are hotels, lodges and bed and breakfasts within a short driving distance.
For information: Call (606) 248-2817
FIRST LANDING STATE PARK
Where: Shore Drive in Northern Virginia Beach, on the Chesapeake Bay
Special features include: The 2,888-acre park includes more than a mile of beach sand along the Chesapeake Bay, where families can swim and go fishing, crabbing, hiking and biking. First Landing is near the site of the Virginia Company’s arrival in 1607 (before the colonists settled in Jamestown). An environmental education center focuses on that history and also has programs developed with the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. The park’s Bay Store stocks groceries, bikes and camping, fishing and crabbing supplies. Two popular summer events are Clean the Bay Day on June 7, where volunteers clear trash from beaches, marshes and shorelines, and Dog Days of Summer on July 20, which features police dog demonstrations, a dog fashion show and kids’ crafts.
Lodging: First Landing has many campsites nestled in sand dunes, both with and without electrical and water hookups, as well as laundry facilities. Families also can rent two-bedroom, air-conditioned cabins for a week at a time. Cabins include kitchens with a refrigerator, stove and dishes, living rooms with dining table, screened porches and outdoor grills.
For information: Call (757) 412-2300
IPTOPEKE STATE PARK
Where: In Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore, about three miles from the end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel
Special features include: Kiptopeke (the name comes from an Indian word for “Big Water”) is a major study area for migratory birds and includes a hawk observatory. The park offers beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay and unguarded beach swimming. It also has plenty of walking and biking trails and a popular fishing pier. In addition to Clean the Bay Day on June 7, Kiptopeke hosts a celebration of the area’s farming and fishing heritage on June 21 that includes a kids’ fishing tournament.
Lodging: The park has campsites with and without electrical hookups; its full service campground has water and sewer hookups, hot showers and restrooms. There also are five lodges with six bedrooms apiece (queen, singles and bunk beds) available mostly for weekly rental during the summer with occasional openings for shorter stays. Other options are a camping lodge that sleeps up to 14 people and a unique circular building called a “yurt,” a cross between a cabin and a tent. Kiptopeke guests also can rent an RV trailer.
For information: Call (757) 331-2267
LAKE ANNA STATE PARK
Where: Spanning Louisa and Spotsylvania counties, about an hour northwest of Richmond
Special features include: Lake Anna itself is one of the largest freshwater inland lakes in Virginia, about 17 miles long. The rural park was the site of a bustling gold mine in the 1880s and offers mine tours and gold panning adventures where families can hike to a creek and relive the life of a prospector. The park also schedules pontoon boat tours, children’s hikes and forest story times. Other options are a swimming beach with a snack bar serving hot dogs, chicken tenders, ice cream and other kid favorites, along with water sports, fishing (especially for large-mouthed bass), a 1.5-acre fishing pond designed for children and hiking on 11 trails. Nearby attractions include theme parks, vineyards and antique shops.
Lodging: Two-bedroom cabins comfortably sleep four people and all have water views; most are rented by the week during the summer. Lake Anna also has a camping lodge with seven sets of bunk beds and a campground with hot showers, restrooms and sites both with and without water and electrical hookups. Private campgrounds, hotels and bed and breakfasts are available nearby.
For information: Call (540) 854-5503
POCAHONTAS STATE PARK
Where: Chesterfield County, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Richmond (toward Petersburg).
Special features include: Covering more than 7,600 acres, Pocahontas has two small lakes and free swimming and boat launch for many overnight campers. The park’s Pool and Aquatic Recreation Center is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and includes a children’s pool and water slides. There are five miles of hiking trails, a five-mile bicycle trail and plenty of play equipment. Families can rent canoes, kayaks and rowboats to explore and fish in the lakes and enjoy guided nature hikes and campfire programs. Pocahontas also has an amphitheatre that can hold up to 4,000 people and often hosts concert series and other performances.
Lodging: The park has a range of options for different-sized families, including cabin groups with bunk beds and activity/dining halls. Its campground offers all water and electric hookup, grills, picnic tables and restrooms with hot showers.
For information: Call (804) 796-4255
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Where: In the Blue Ridge Mountains just west of Washington, D.C. The park stretches 105 miles from its northern entrance at Front Royal to its southern entrance near Waynesboro.
Special features include: Shenandoah is a wilderness oasis most famous for its Skyline Drive, which runs the length of the park along mountain ridges. More than 500 miles of trails – some smooth and wide, others steep, narrow and rocky – lead up hikers up cliffs, through tall trees and to beautiful waterfalls. Wildlife includes more than 200 different bird species along with deer, gray fox and black bears. Junior Rangers, evening campfires, fishing and guided hikes and horseback rides are just some of the activities for families.
Lodging: Campers can select from several different campgrounds within walking distance of hiking trails, waterfalls and overlooks. Some can accommodate large recreational vehicles. Much of the park’s wilderness also is open for backcountry camping by permit. Other options include cabins, lodges and the 179-room Skyland Resort at the highest point on Skyline Drive.
For information: Call (540) 999-3500
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE STATE PARK
Where: Bedford County, southeast of Roanoke and about 140 miles from Richmond
Special features include: The park lies in a broad valley in the Blue Ridge Mountains and sits on a large freshwater lake stocked with striped bass and other fish. Families can rent boats and jet skis and relax on a 500-foot beach with a concession area. Activities for children include hay rides, night hikes, canoe trips and a Junior Naturalists program. Visitors also can visit the Booker T. Washington National Monument honoring the famous slave-turned-educator. Among the park’s special summer events are a June 14 fishing tournament for kids, a 4th of July celebration and an Aug. 2 beach party with free hot dogs, sodas and ice cream.
Lodging: The park rents two- and three-bedroom cabins by the week and also has a camping lodge with seven sets of bunk beds. Campground features include in-ground grills and a bathhouse with hot showers and a wash sink for dishes; some sites have water and electric hookup.
or information: Call (540) 297-6066
