Pocahontas State Park Campground sits approximately 20 miles southwest of Glen Allen, Virginia in a region characterized by gentle rolling terrain and mixed hardwood forests typical of central Virginia's Piedmont region. The area surrounding Glen Allen maintains a humid subtropical climate with warm summers reaching 90°F and mild winters rarely dropping below 30°F. Most glamping sites remain open year-round with peak visitation occurring between April and October when overnight temperatures stay consistently above 50°F.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Pocahontas State Park offers extensive mountain biking opportunities with varied difficulty levels. One visitor noted, "Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history" while highlighting the park's accessibility being "20 mins from every store you can imagine, but super quiet at night."
Fishing ponds: At Cozy Acres Campground, visitors can enjoy both catch-and-release and dedicated catfish ponds without leaving the property. A reviewer mentioned, "They have a catch and release pond, a nice pool, a rec room and an additional catfish pond there are plenty of activities to keep you busy."
Historical exploration: For history enthusiasts, glamping near Glen Allen provides convenient access to significant historical sites. A camper at Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA recommended, "In fredericksburg be sure to do the trolley tour" when staying at this location that's "within thirty minutes of fredericksburg."
Swimming options: Beyond standard pool facilities, several glamping sites offer natural swimming areas. A visitor to Lake Anna State Park Campground shared their experience: "The swimming area is clean and very family oriented. It has great hiking trails and if your looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers with ample sitting area."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many glamping areas feature secluded accommodations. At Powhatan State Park Campground, a visitor observed, "The sites in the River Bend Campground(main campground) are private and wooded, especially this time of year when the trees are so full. The map makes it look like they're really close together so I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived."
Well-maintained facilities: Campers consistently praise the cleanliness and upkeep of glamping sites near Glen Allen. A reviewer at Pocahontas State Park noted, "Clean and huge campsites, great pool, great hiking and biking trails" while another mentioned, "Well laid out sites, clean restrooms and showers."
Seasonal events: Many glamping destinations coordinate special activities throughout the year. Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA received this review: "Had a great time for Halloween here. Will be back," highlighting how the campground creates seasonal programming beyond standard amenities.
River access: Water-based activities feature prominently at several glamping locations. At Chickahominy Riverfront Park, a visitor described, "Could take kayaks straight into the water from our site. Close to Jamestown and many other activities! Our only regret is not staying longer."
What you should know
Reservation timing: Glamping accommodations fill quickly, especially during peak seasons and weekends. A camper at Westmoreland State Park Campground advised, "If you're anything like me, traveling for peace and quiet and solitude, I highly recommend Sunday and Monday nights if you have flexibility with jobs etc. It was SUPER quiet during my stay."
Varying shower facilities: Bathroom and shower quality differs significantly between glamping sites. A visitor at Christopher Run Campground reported, "The shower left SO MUCH to be desired. First, the shower head is on the ceiling which is about 10 feet tall. There is a push button to turn water on (no temp adjustment) and it only allows 36 SECONDS of water before it shuts back off."
Site leveling challenges: Some glamping locations require extra preparation for equipment setup. A reviewer at Christopher Run Campground noted, "Sites somewhat level, very small and packed in," while another mentioned, "The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away."
Weather considerations: Central Virginia's climate affects glamping conditions throughout the year. A camper at Westmoreland State Park shared, "Went in March 2018 for my birthday, when it was still VERY cold, but had a wonderful time. The beaches and trails seem so much more peaceful and untouched this time of year. Definitely gets windy near the river."
Tips for camping with families
Look for individual bath facilities: For families with small children, private bath accommodations make glamping more manageable. A visitor to Powhatan State Park described, "Bathrooms are individual with a shower in each one," making the morning routine easier with children.
Check playground age-appropriateness: Not all play areas suit younger children. A reviewer at Christopher Run Campground cautioned, "The playground is for kids 5+ and there's not much to do outside of swimming in the lake for 5 and under."
Consider biking accessibility: Several glamping destinations near Glen Allen feature family-friendly biking opportunities. A visitor at Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA observed, "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."
Research quiet areas: Finding less crowded sections improves family glamping experiences. A camper at Lake Anna State Park noted, "Very nice, plenty to see and do, but very crowded and noisy, even after quite time," suggesting families research specific site locations before booking.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions vary widely: RV glampers should confirm specific site measurements before booking. A reviewer at Powhatan State Park mentioned, "Some sites were very level. We were on site seven which was very long but very unlevel."
Electric service options: Power availability differs between glamping locations. A visitor to Pocahontas State Park noted, "Great State Park campground! No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp). Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history."
Accessibility varies by season: Weather conditions affect RV access at some glamping sites. A Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA camper shared, "Wooded Lots. Due to Covid and the proximity to a temporarily closed King's Dominion this campground was very quiet. We enjoyed a larger pull through lot that faced the woods. Some of the sites look pretty tight, but that can be common with a lot of KOA's."
Utility placement considerations: The arrangement of hookups impacts RV setup and comfort. A camper at Chickahominy Riverfront Park noted, "Weird, as I booked this trip 6 months earlier, and a number of the sewer lots had tents and pop-ups. I had managed to be assigned a spot along with mostly tent campers."
