Twin Lakes State Park Campground in Burkeville sits at 455 feet elevation in Virginia's central Piedmont region where summer humidity can be intense. The park features two lakes with swimming beaches and water activities available during peak season. Most campsites in the area remain open year-round, though amenities vary significantly by season.
What to do
Swimming in natural lakes: Twin Lakes State Park Campground offers a beach area with lifeguards during summer months. "The swimming lake has a nice beach and we happened to be there this last weekend and the temperature was nice and warm and the kids enjoyed playing on the beach and on the water playground," notes one visitor to Twin Lakes State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Bear Creek Lake State Park provides accessible fishing spots right from waterfront campsites. According to one camper, "Fishing was not bad. Caught my first ever catfish" at Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground.
Trail exploration: Thousand Trails Lynchburg offers trails for hiking near the campground. A camper shared, "The campground is close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiking trails (a plus!) but, definitely opt for a full hook-up site! Only open from May to October each year so be sure to check that out before just showing up!"
Biking adventures: Pocahontas State Park provides excellent mountain biking trails near the Richmond metro area. A reviewer mentions, "Great State Park campground! No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp). Lots of hiking, fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history."
What campers like
Waterfront sites: Bear Creek Lake State Park offers premium lake-view campsites. "We chose a reservable waterview site (#18) and I'm glad we got the one we did! It is not directly on the water, there is a fence around the site and then a short walk to the water," explains a happy camper.
Shaded campsites: Cozy Acres Campground provides well-shaded sites that help with summer heat. A visitor notes, "Sites are a good size and laid out well. There is a mix of site amenities." Another camper at Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort shared, "They have a play area for the kids, swimming pool, several fishing ponds, bike trails and more. Bath house is very clean."
Proximity to attractions: South Forty RV Resort offers convenient interstate access. "Perfect location right off of I-95. Spot we had was spacious and easy to get in and out of," reports a visitor to South Forty RV Resort & Campground.
Clean facilities: Pickett RV Park maintains tidy facilities at affordable rates. A military retiree commented, "I am a retired major. My wife and I bought an older motorhome, and this location was great to test it out. I come again. Bath house is a few blocks way, but for 25 dollars a night. The price was right."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds near Burkeville operate on limited schedules. A camper at Thousand Trails Lynchburg notes, "Remote and quiet location. In season this place is very busy. Our visit is pre Memorial Day so it is low key." Another camper at Thousand Trails Lynchburg adds, "Only open from May to October each year so be sure to check that out before just showing up!"
Site sizes vary significantly: Pay close attention to site dimensions when booking. "Our family loved this park and its amenities. The campground was nice but some of the sites are a little small so definitely pay attention to the camper length per individual site," advises one Twin Lakes visitor.
Variable site quality: South Forty RV Resort has different site sections with varying quality. "Site A4 was pretty nice. Had enough space between my camper and the neighbors. The only downside was a utility hub somewhat in the middle of the site. Other sites closer to the pool were super close together," reports one camper.
Weather considerations: Central Virginia's climate affects camping comfort significantly. One Bear Creek Lake camper noted, "Cumberland County is only at 455' elevation, so the heat and humidity in the summer is intense—we were very uncomfortable our first night because of this, so fall would probably be the best time to go."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water features: Twin Lakes offers dedicated swimming areas for children. "The swimming area is so amazing. Great area for the kids to enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience," shares a visitor.
Playground access: Cozy Acres Campground provides well-maintained playgrounds. A camper mentions, "They have an impressive playground and the staff is very welcoming upon arrival."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Daybreak Glamp Camp offers nature encounters in a controlled setting. A visitor to Daybreak Glamp Camp shared, "Ended up at Day Break by chance to be honest, but I'm sure glad I did. I tent camped there for 4 nights and it was amazing. It was quite peaceful and the weather for the most part was great."
Fishing with kids: Bear Creek Lake State Park provides accessible fishing spots for beginners. "Lots of people fishing, and someone got a catfish and kept it for dinner," observed one visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. At Bear Creek Lake, a visitor noted, "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer."
Electrical service variations: Electrical hookups vary across parks. "Almost every site has a bag over their electricity. Limited 50 amps. Lots of road wash outs," warns one camper about Thousand Trails Lynchburg.
Accessibility considerations: Richmond Family Recreation RV Camp offers military-only camping with specific requirements. A visitor to Richmond Family Recreation RV Camp explains, "Small six site campground that the fire department states is never used. Nice clean level spots. You must get a permit from the fire department to use grill, super simple and took five minutes."
Dump station availability: Several parks offer dump stations for those without full hookups. A camper at Twin Lakes notes, "All RV sites have H2O and electric. A few of the sites did not seem to be very level. The sites are fairly close together."