Tent campsites near Cumberland, Virginia range across 20,000 acres of outdoor space within a 30-mile radius of town. The region sits at elevations between 300-800 feet above sea level in the central Virginia Piedmont, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August. Winter tent camping remains viable with proper gear as overnight temperatures rarely drop below 20°F.
What to do
River activities: 5 minutes from campsites. The James River provides excellent fishing opportunities near Canoe Landing Group Campsite. Campers can "fish right off the bank less than 50 yards from your tent" according to Christina, who notes the river access is particularly good during slower seasons.
Stargazing: Best after 10pm. The Cumberland area offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. As one camper at Walnut Grove notes, "Look at all those stars! The best place for star gazing! Just ask for a telescope (free at the store) and stare up at the sky for hours!"
Hiking trails: 1-5 miles in length. Multiple trail systems crisscross the area with varying difficulty levels. A visitor to Lake James State Park shares, "There are opportunities for motor boating, kayaking, swimming, hiking, fishing, etc." The park features "great hiking trails and if you're looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: 30+ feet separation. Many campers value the spacing at Branch Pond campsites. According to Gary G., the sites are "Private, flat, and well maintained with great facilities, hiking/biking trails, and floating opportunities." Nathan S. adds that the campground "doesn't get just a ton of traffic, and it's clean!"
Campground amenities: Clean facilities. Bathhouses and facilities receive consistently positive reviews. One visitor to James River State Park described the bathhouse as looking "like it was fairly new" with showers in "individual stalls accessed on the outside of the bathhouse." Another camper noted, "Very clean bathrooms and showers! Would highly recommend."
Farm-based camping: Animal interactions. At Cloverdale Farms, campers enjoy a unique agricultural setting. One visitor shared, "The icing on the cake was waking up and spending some time with their horses and goats and this really sweet orange cat. The property was gorgeous and the experience was wonderful."
What you should know
Site access challenges: Prepare for carrying gear. Some Cumberland area campsites require effort to reach. At Lake James State Park, a camper warns, "The only possible negative is that it's quite a walk from the parking area to the campsites. And it's downhill from the car to the sites... navigating a wheelbarrow full of camping gear down a hill with stairs isn't easy."
Weather considerations: Plan for heat. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making spring and fall preferable for tent camping. During summer months, seeking water access becomes important. A camper at Daybreak Glamp Camp noted they "tent camped there for 4 nights and it was amazing. It was quite peaceful and the weather for the most part was great."
Reservation timing: Book 2-3 months ahead. Popular sites fill quickly, especially for weekend camping from April through October. One visitor to Branch Pond mentioned they "stayed on site 15 which is a long pull-thru. As with other VA State Parks, we picked our site once we arrived."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Ranger programs. Some Cumberland area parks offer educational activities for children. A Lake Anna State Park visitor shared, "My 4 yr old spent hours playing with all the little animals the ranger station had," while another mentioned it "has great hiking trails and if you're looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers."
Site selection for children: Choose locations away from water hazards. When camping with young children, consider safety factors. One camper at James River warned about swimming: "Note though—would be careful swimming with children. Most areas are very calm but the river can get rapid at times!"
Family-friendly tent sites: Proximity to bathrooms. For families, sites near facilities make nighttime bathroom trips easier. A visitor to Phantom Hill Forest Farm appreciated that "The sites are large and primitive. We appreciated the dishes/kitchen set up, games, and the adorable outhouse!"
Tips from RVers
RV site access: Pay attention to site dimensions. Some Cumberland area campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. A camper at Lake Anna State Park noted "there were large back-in sites as well as pull-through sites. There was also a dump station. Campers can choose sites with or without electricity."
Hookup availability: Water and electric only. Most RV-accessible sites in the Cumberland area offer partial hookups. One James River State Park visitor explained, "Paved roads with level dirt/gravel wooded sites having W/E (50A). Located in the middle of nowhere off of narrow Virginia secondary roads."
Seasonal considerations: Spring and fall are best. RVers often find summer heat challenging when relying on partial hookups. A visitor during July admitted, "Would have been better to bring a trailer or RV at that time of year" due to the extreme temperatures. Another camper noted that Lake Anna "lacks some amenities that privately owned campgrounds have."
