Best Campgrounds near Glen Allen, VA
The suburban outskirts of Glen Allen, Virginia provide convenient access to several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. Pocahontas State Park, Virginia's largest state park at nearly 8,000 acres, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and yurts about 20 miles southwest of Glen Allen. Closer options include Americamps RV Resort in Ashland, which serves as a popular stopover for travelers along I-95. Powhatan State Park, a relatively newer addition to Virginia's park system, features both primitive canoe-in sites and a developed campground with electric and water hookups. Most campgrounds in the region balance proximity to Richmond's urban amenities with access to water recreation on the James River, Lake Anna, and smaller waterways.
Reservations are essential during summer months and holiday weekends when campgrounds frequently reach capacity. Virginia's humid subtropical climate makes spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F with high humidity. As one camper noted, "The ticks in this part of Virginia were out of control and I found myself spending more of my hike picking them off than looking at the scenery." Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with Verizon providing consistent coverage at most established campgrounds. Many state park campgrounds offer both reservable and first-come, first-served sites, though the most desirable spots with shade and privacy tend to book weeks in advance during peak season.
State parks near Glen Allen consistently receive higher ratings than private campgrounds, with visitors particularly appreciating clean facilities and recreational opportunities. One reviewer of Pocahontas State Park mentioned, "The day use area is incredible and less than a mile walk through the woods on a hike/bike/crawl/stroller gravel surface. The day area includes awesome MTB trails, hiking trails, kayaking/fishing spots and a water park." Waterfront sites at places like Chickahominy Riverfront Park are especially sought after, though they often lack privacy. Wildlife viewing opportunities include waterfowl, herons, and smaller mammals, while fishing is popular at most water-adjacent campgrounds. Primitive camping options are limited but available at wildlife management areas like Chickahominy WMA, where Virginia residents can camp for free with a valid fishing or hunting license.
