Camping options near Chester, Virginia include several RV parks within a 30-mile radius of this central Virginia location. The area sits in the Piedmont region at elevations between 100-300 feet, with warm summers that often exceed 90°F and mild winters. Fall camping offers changing foliage while spring brings wildflowers to many park trails.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Pocahontas State Park features extensive trail networks for cyclists of all skill levels. "There is a paved road for biking, plenty of tree cover (even in winter), a lifetime's worth of trails to explore," writes one camper who appreciated the diversity of recreation options.
Fishing ponds: Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort maintains multiple stocked fishing areas. "We've fished at the little catch and release pond successfully but didn't try out the catch and keep catfish pond," notes a visitor who enjoyed the accessibility of fishing right at the campground.
Historic site access: Camping near Chester provides convenient access to Colonial-era attractions. A visitor to American Heritage RV Park found it "close to Colonial Williamsburg, and a little over an hour away from Virginia Beach and First Landing State Park," making it ideal for history enthusiasts.
What campers like
Well-spaced sites: While many RV parks have tightly packed sites, some offer more room. A camper at South Forty RV Resort & Campground noted, "Spot we had was spacious and easy to get in and out of. Ground was pretty level and hookup was easy."
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness varies significantly between parks. "The bathrooms were clean and there was a friendly maintenance guy who offered to take our garbage to the dumpster for us. It was 'part of the treatment' he said," reported a South Forty camper.
Outdoor pools: Many campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. At Americamps RV Resort, visitors enjoy "a nice-sized pool" with special features: "Swimming pool was awesome with lites and fountains," according to one satisfied camper.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate year-round but with different amenities. "Didn't venture out as temps dropped fast this day. Good stop for overnight. Also seems to have many who want to stay 4-5 months in this area," observed a winter visitor to South Forty.
Varied site quality: Sites within the same campground can differ significantly. At Rockahock Campgrounds & Resort RV Park, "The sites are massive and very quiet," but facilities may require attention, with one camper noting "Bathrooms need a lot of work as toilets don't work or stall doors don't close."
Location trade-offs: Traffic noise affects some parks more than others. One camper specifically chose American Heritage "instead of one of the campgrounds in VA Beach just because traffic in and around VA Beach is crazy. Seriously. I felt much better about just driving there with my car instead of towing the trailer through that mess."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Campgrounds offer varying play facilities. Cozy Acres impressed visitors: "The playground is impressive and the staff is very welcoming upon arrival," making it suitable for active children.
Activities calendar: Check scheduled events before booking. At Thousand Trails Williamsburg, campers appreciate that there are "Many activities scheduled on the weekends. Lots of families camping," creating a social atmosphere for children.
Indoor recreation: Weather backup plans matter with children. Americamps offers alternatives when outdoor activities aren't possible: "There is a pool, playground, meeting room, bar and BBQ area," providing options regardless of weather conditions.
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: RV parks sometimes provide positioning assistance. At Americamps, "A host guides you to your site and assist you in positioning if needed," which helps less experienced drivers navigate tight spaces.
Concrete pad locations: Concrete pads provide the most level parking. American Heritage campers note specific site numbers: "Our site was very nice site #10, a leveled concrete site with room to park our towed vehicle while still attached to our Motor Home," which prevents the need for disconnecting during overnight stays.
Utility reliability: Power issues can occur at some locations. A camper at South Forty recommended checking connections: "Late arrival and get situated only to find the breaker broken. Maintenance moved us spots rather quickly though," highlighting the importance of testing hookups upon arrival.
