Pocahontas State Park sits on nearly 8,000 acres of Virginia woodland just 20 miles from Colonial Heights. The park's terrain ranges from gently rolling hills to flat meadows, with elevation between 175-300 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F, while summer months can reach 85-95°F with high humidity, affecting camping comfort levels throughout the seasons.
What to do
Hiking trails for all levels: Pocahontas State Park offers nearly 90 miles of trails that vary in difficulty. "Pocahontas state park is great so far. Hike complete! Fire complete and set up done. Time for shower and bed," shares one Pocahontas State Park visitor.
Fishing opportunities: The James River at Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides excellent fishing spots for various species. "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. Not big fish, but fish. Bring a light fly rod and enjoy," advises a regular camper.
Biking enthusiasts: The Virginia Capital Trail connects several camping areas and offers paved paths suitable for cyclists of all abilities. "Not knowing this campground also caters to people riding the Virginia Creeper bike trail! It went for miles and was beautiful," notes a visitor to Ed Allen's Campground.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campgrounds in the Colonial Heights area offer well-maintained sites with adequate spacing. At Powhatan State Park Campground, "Sites are very spacious and good distance between other campers. Nice privacy. Large Bath house dump stations were great. Some sites were very level."
History access: The area's proximity to historical attractions makes yurt camping near Colonial Heights, Virginia appealing for history buffs. "The campground is in a great location to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown and is a great home base for exploring those sites," mentions a visitor to Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Natural beach areas: While some parks have pools, others feature natural swimming spots. At Chippokes State Park Campground, "Hunt for sharks teeth on the beach. Pool is very clean," notes one camper, while another adds, "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son!"
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds in the area have nearby train tracks that may disturb light sleepers. At one campground, a camper warns, "Nice, clean campsite. Only issue is you are right next to the train tracks so if you are a light sleeper you will hear those trains throughout the night."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have different operating seasons. At Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages, the season runs "Mar 28 - Nov 15," which means winter yurt camping options near Colonial Heights are more limited.
Site levelness varies: Across the region, site quality and levelness can differ significantly. "Some of the campsites are surrounded with forest. Very quiet and peaceful," notes a Pocahontas State Park camper, while at Powhatan State Park, "We were on site seven which was very long but very unlevel."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks offer dedicated play areas for children. "The kids were able to ride around the park (it is small) and park is within sight. A few places to access the water and about as close as you can get to the capital trail. Dogs are allowed but must be on leashes. There is a pool and splash pad as well," notes a visitor to Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Kid-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with specific family amenities. At South Forty RV Resort & Campground, "Site A4 was pretty nice. Had enough space between my camper and the neighbors... The pool was nice but it was just missing the usual pool chairs to sun bath on."
Educational opportunities: Colonial Heights area camping provides learning experiences. "I didn't expect to see bulletins of Virginia History on the grounds. But my inner nerd was intrigued," shares a visitor to Powhatan State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup quality: Electric service varies between parks. At Pocahontas State Park, "Great State Park campground! No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp). 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. Sites are well spaced."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds offer better RV access than others. "Perfect location right off of I-95. Spot we had was spacious and easy to get in and out of. Ground was pretty level and hookup was easy," notes a visitor to South Forty RV Resort about their overnight stay.
Seasonal activities: RV campers should check for special events. At Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA, "Just recently stayed here during a weekend getaway to Kings Dominion. 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."
