Campsites near Chester, Virginia provide visitors with access to the Richmond-Petersburg region and nearby water recreation areas. Most campgrounds in this area sit at elevations between 100-200 feet above sea level, offering a mix of wooded and open sites. Fall camping offers comfortable temperatures in the 60-70°F range, while summer visits require preparation for high humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.
What to do
Biking on the Virginia Capital Trail: Access this 52-mile paved path from Chickahominy Riverfront Park, which connects Jamestown and Richmond. "Campground is in a great location to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown and is a great home base for exploring those sites," notes Ashleigh M.
Mountain biking: Explore extensive trail systems at Pocahontas State Park Campground with options for all skill levels. "Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history. LOVE the staff. 20 mins from every store you can imagine, but super quiet at night," reports Ashley I.
Fishing opportunities: Fish directly from your campsite at riverside locations. "There is a dock down by the boat ramp. It says no fishing. Wait until dark and ignore the sign. There's a light down there that draws the insects. The fish are everywhere," advises Patrick R. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Theme park access: Stay minutes from Kings Dominion amusement park with convenient shuttle service. "One convenient option that comes with staying is they have a shuttle service to the amusement park that runs by roughly every 25-30 mins. They even run until 12-1 in the morning for those who plan to do the Haunt," explains Da'Paul F. from Richmond North KOA.
What campers like
Brewery access: Americamps RV Resort offers unique proximity to local craft beer. "Americamps is mostly surrounded by woods...AND is walking distance to a local brewery (COTU-Center of the Universe) that often has live music or events on the weekends," shares Sharon P.
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural setting and privacy at certain campgrounds. "Some of the campsites are surrounded with forest. Very quiet and peaceful," notes Gregg S. about Pocahontas State Park, while another camper shares that "We had a beautiful spot along the river" at Chickahominy.
Pool amenities: Several campgrounds feature swimming pools that receive positive reviews. "The swimming pool was incredibly large and CLEAN!!! I was surprised! It felt very refreshing and even had adult swim time and attentive life guards," says Katie B. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and grounds are frequently mentioned as a plus. "Well laid out sites, clean restrooms and showers," notes Glenn T. about Pocahontas State Park, while a Richmond North KOA visitor mentions "Clean grounds and nice shower houses."
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby rail lines. South Forty RV Resort offers "spacious and easy to get in and out of" sites according to Katie G., but other campgrounds in the area have railroad tracks nearby that "will wake up a light sleeper."
Site quality varies: Even within the same campground, site conditions can differ dramatically. "Some sites offering mature tree coverage while others provide limited protection from the sun," and "The site itself was fairly level, had a brand new picnic table, and had a little gravel pad. Other sites closer to the pool were super close together," warns Matt about South Forty.
Seasonal considerations: Summer visits require preparation for heat and humidity. "Summer temperatures in the region can be quite warm and humid, with frequent afternoon thunderstorms possible," making spring and fall better options for tent campers.
Varying levels of privacy: Many campgrounds feature a mix of exposed and secluded sites. "We could see one site across the road but other neighbors were mostly hidden. Short walk to showers and toilet," shares N P. about their winter stay at Pocahontas State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Check pool availability: Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA offers family-friendly amenities when open. "This is a great place for families with children, young and old! Kid friendly biking around the park. Also saw many with electric scooters and golf carts. Large playground and pool, all very clean and well kept," recommends Cat R.
Rental equipment: Some parks offer gear for water activities. "Lots of trails, nature center, pool, and creek for kayaking and fishing. You can also rent water equipment while you're there. Very good for beginners," notes Samantha G. about Pocahontas State Park.
Recreation options: Choose campgrounds with built-in activities. "For 6 nights in late August 2018, my boyfriend and I stayed at a tent campsite with our 4 girls, ages 10-16. We needed a budget friendly option... We had a beautiful spot along the river, so two of the girls spent every moment at the camp swimming and talking girl talk," shares Katie B. about her stay at Chickahominy.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local animals. "We saw a fat raccoon, daring squirrels, a turtle, and vultures. There are gorgeous, HARMLESS, garden spiders that are shockingly large and bright yellow," reports a family who stayed at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Tips from RVers
Overnight convenience: Several campgrounds cater specifically to travelers on I-95. "Perfect location right off of I-95. Spot we had was spacious and easy to get in and out of. I arrived after hours, but had my reservation hanging on the wall for me. Ground was pretty level and hookup was easy," shares Katie G. about her experience at Picture Lake Campground.
Hookup details: Know what utilities are available before booking. "Great State Park campground! No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp). Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history," notes an RVer about Pocahontas State Park.
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require minimal adjustment. "From what I observed, the sites were all pretty level," mentions a KOA visitor, while South Forty RV Resort receives mixed reviews on leveling with some noting "spots were not level but were shaded."
Long-term stays: Several campgrounds accommodate extended visits. "We're originally from Richmond and needed a centrally located campground to spend 5 weeks in our class A while taking care of some things in town. The location is the best in the Richmond area for a full hookup campground for a large RV," explains Jen O. about her experience at Americamps.
