Campgrounds near Dinwiddie, Virginia offer opportunities for camping across central Virginia's Piedmont region, situated within 30-50 miles of this small town. The area experiences humid summers with temperatures often reaching the 90s, while winter nights can drop below freezing from December through February. Most campsites near Dinwiddie are accessible via paved roads, with several options situated near water features including lakes, ponds, and the Appomattox River.
What to do
Mountain biking at Pocahontas State Park: Located northwest of Dinwiddie, this park features extensive trail systems for riders of all skill levels. A camper noted, "Great State Park campground! 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."
Fishing at Picture Lake Campground: The campground offers direct lake access for fishing enthusiasts. While the facilities receive mixed reviews, the lake itself remains a highlight. According to one visitor, "The lake was beautiful and the price was nice however it's RIGHT beside the race track and the races go on till midnight."
Paddle boating at Emporia KOA Holiday: This family-friendly campground offers paddle boats for exploring the water. A camper shared, "Kids had a blast playing in the water and taking the paddle boats out. Campground was clean, quiet and spacious! We camped in a tent not far from the beach area."
Themed activities for children: Some campgrounds organize special events to entertain younger campers. As one visitor to Emporia KOA Holiday mentioned, "There was a dance party with yogi and his friends and our kids enjoyed that. We also painted some figurines in the arts and crafts area."
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as important to their experience. At Pocahontas State Park Campground, guests appreciate the room between sites: "Every camper's dream spot. Seriously, this modern giant state park has it all: mostly private sites, a paved road for biking, plenty of tree cover (even in winter) a lifetime's worth of trails to explore."
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers receive positive comments. One reviewer at Pocahontas State Park noted, "Well laid out sites, clean restrooms and showers," while another commented, "Some of the campsites are surrounded with forest. Very quiet and peaceful."
Proximity to I-95: For travelers passing through, easy highway access is valuable. A camper at South Forty RV Resort & Campground shared, "We are full time and were passing through and saw this on map. Friendly staff. Level sites with good size sites. Didn't venture out as temps dropped fast this day. Good stop for overnight."
Helpful staff: Staff assistance makes a difference, especially for new campers. As one visitor to South Forty RV Resort mentioned, "This was my first trip in my new travel trailer. What a great experience. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Sites were well organized and easy to access."
What you should know
Noise levels vary significantly: Some campgrounds near Dinwiddie experience noise from nearby attractions. A Picture Lake Campground visitor reported, "It's RIGHT beside the race track and the races go on till midnight," while another noted, "There's a drag race strip across the lake that's extremely noisy."
Site conditions and spacing: Site quality differs between campgrounds. At Amelia Family Campground, one camper observed, "Small campground where sites are on top of each other," while another disagreed: "And the site are NOT right on top. It is a good one family campground."
Long-term residents: Several campgrounds host permanent or seasonal residents. A visitor to Picture Lake Campground mentioned, "LOTS of long term campers, lots of construction workers staying here to work on jobs in area," and another at Amelia Family Campground observed, "Looks like many long term campers."
Facility maintenance varies: Campground upkeep receives mixed reviews. One camper at Picture Lake Campground stated, "The pictures are for sure not like the campground. I only needed one night so it wasn't a big deal but it wasn't maintained well at all."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Children appreciate having structured options. At Emporia KOA Holiday, a visitor shared, "Kids had a blast playing in the water and taking the paddle boats out. Campground was clean, quiet and spacious!"
Check playground conditions: Some campgrounds advertise playgrounds that may not be well-maintained. A camper at Picture Lake Campground noted, "The volleyball courts were grown over, the basketball court had no hoops (not even the poles) and the grounds themselves weren't well maintained."
Consider swimming options: Pools provide recreation during hot months. At Pickett RV Park, facilities are basic but affordable: "Bath house is a few blocks way, but for 25 dollars a night. The price was right." Meanwhile, Pocahontas State Park offers multiple options as one camper described: "Lots of trails, nature center, pool, and creek for kayaking and fishing."
Plan for weather fluctuations: Virginia weather can change quickly, especially in spring and fall. A camper at South Forty RV Resort noted, "Didn't venture out as temps dropped fast this day."
Tips from RVers
Level sites matter: RVers emphasize the importance of level sites. A camper at Richmond Family Recreation RV Camp noted, "Nice clean level spots. Easy on and out if visiting Richmond," while another at Emporia KOA Holiday mentioned, "Just passing through and nice place to pull in with our trailer and stay hitched. Wish the site was more level but a couple leveling blocks fixed it."
Full hookup availability: Water, electric, and sewer connections vary between campgrounds. At South Forty RV Resort, a camper observed, "Level sites with good size sites," and another mentioned, "Full hook ups and well maintained."
Utility access points: Some RV sites have unusual utility configurations. At Picture Lake Campground, a visitor noted, "The sewage was a little weird to hookup but we figured it out."
Overnight parking options: For those just passing through, some campgrounds offer convenient overnight setups. A visitor to Emporia KOA Holiday shared, "Just passing through and nice place to pull in with our trailer and stay hitched."
