Camping options near Goochland, Virginia range from state parks to privately owned campgrounds across the region's rolling Piedmont landscape. Located at approximately 300 feet elevation, the area experiences humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60-70°F range. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Goochland require pets to be leashed at all times, with leashes typically limited to 6 feet in length.
What to do
Hiking the Channel Cat Loop trail: At Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, campers can access this scenic trail directly from their sites. "Our tent pad was covered in rubber pieces which made for a comfortable base for our tent, and the separate area with fire pit, picnic table and pattern hooks was awesome. Fell even more in love when majority of campsites left on Sunday, leaving peace and quiet all around," notes Kaylee G.
Fishing for catfish: The 40-acre lake at Bear Creek Lake State Park provides productive fishing opportunities. "Fishing was not bad. Caught my first ever catfish," reports Ross B. The lake supports several fish species with shoreline access available at multiple points.
Horseback riding: Shenandoah Crossing offers equestrian activities as part of their resort experience. "There is a nice pool, arcade, camp store, horse riding, and the camp sites are pretty nice," shares Sam M. The stables provide guided rides through scenic terrain, suitable for varying experience levels.
What campers like
Clean, modern bathroom facilities: Powhatan State Park Campground features updated facilities that receive consistent praise. "Bathrooms are individual with a shower in each one," notes Lisa P., who adds that "Staff were wonderful, huge place that is well kept, trails are trimmed back daily."
Swimming options: Many campers appreciate the beach area at Christopher Run Campground on Lake Anna. "The campground has a wonderful beach with swim access to the lake. Most of the campers are long time seasonal campers, and a lot even live here. The beach is well maintained and campsites are spacious," explains Brooke V.
Proximity to attractions: Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA provides convenient access to Kings Dominion amusement park. "Just recently stayed here during a weekend getaway to Kings Dominion. Nice and peaceful campground from what I could tell. 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," shares Da'Paul F.
What you should know
Campsite privacy varies significantly: At Pocahontas State Park Campground, site selection affects your camping experience. "Site 118 was perfect for our camper van. Could see one site across the road but other neighbors were mostly hidden. Short walk to showers and toilet," explains N P., adding that the "Powhatan Trail entrance is right off the loop and lovely, even in December."
Shower facilities differ between parks: Some campgrounds have timed showers that require button pushing to continue water flow. At Christopher Run Campground, "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," reports Tina C.
Seasonal operations: Several campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Christopher Run Campground runs from April 1 to October 31, while others like Bear Creek Lake State Park remain open year-round but with reduced services during winter months.
Tips for camping with families
Adventure playgrounds: Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort offers extensive recreation options for children. "They have a lot of activities, such as pool, fishing pond and trails. The site was clean and everything worked great!" shares Isaac R., though he notes they "felt nickel and dimed with the charge for fishing and pool chairs."
Lake activities for children: Families visiting Small Country Campground find multiple water-based options. "My family and our friends went camping couple of weeks ago. My band had first seesaw ride, swings and had experienced with jump tube. Had little pond looking lake and I don't know how to explain this. But the whole camp found was perfect getaway for all of us," shares Angela L.
Educational opportunities: Many state parks offer Junior Ranger programs for children. At Powhatan State Park, "Staff were wonderful, huge place that is well kept, trails are trimmed back daily. Lots of geocaching on grounds, fishing, hiking, boat launch, canoe racks, playground, a store with a nature center, and a Junior Ranger program for the kids," notes Lisa P.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Americamps RV Resort, choosing the right site can significantly impact your stay. "Sites are very spacious and good distance between other campers. Nice privacy. Large Bath house dump stations were great. Some sites were very level. We were on site seven which was very long but very unlevel," explains Jim L.
Arrival timing considerations: Many campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. At Powhatan State Park, "Sites 1-14 are available for advance reservation, and sites 15-29 are first-come first-served." When visiting during peak seasons, arriving mid-week provides better site selection opportunities.
Utility hookup limitations: RVers should note that while many campgrounds offer electric hookups, not all provide full hookups. Pocahontas State Park Campground has "Great State Park campground! No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp). Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history," according to Ashley I.
