Campgrounds surrounding Goochland, Virginia spread across Hanover, Powhatan, and Chesterfield counties, placing campers within 15-30 miles of Richmond's amenities while still providing wooded natural settings. The region features rolling hills and hardwood forests characteristic of central Virginia's Piedmont region, with elevations typically ranging from 200-400 feet. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though larger facilities like Pocahontas State Park offer year-round camping options.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Pocahontas State Park Campground features extensive trail systems for hikers and mountain bikers of all skill levels. According to campers, the park has "fantastic mountain bike trails, lots of history" and is "every camper's dream spot" with "a lifetime's worth of trails to explore."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing ponds are available at Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort, where campers mention "three fishing ponds" and "fishing pond and trails." Lake access is available at Christopher Run Campground, where one visitor noted they "caught my first ever catfish."
Water recreation: At Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, water activities range from casual floating to paddling. One visitor shared: "We brought innertubes and just floated but we saw people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and paddle boating." The 40-acre manmade lake provides ample space for multiple activities.
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: Many campers value the larger, more private sites available at Powhatan State Park Campground. According to visitors, "The sites are private and wooded, especially this time of year when the trees are so full," and the primitive canoe-in sites are even more secluded, with site 5 noted as "probably the most private in the loop."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive high marks for cleanliness. At Americamps RV Resort, "the bathhouse was very clean" and the grounds feature "beautiful landscaping." One camper emphasized: "The park and grounds are extremely well-maintained. I was very happy to see such a clean bathhouse, especially during the current pandemic."
Family activities: Small Country Campground provides numerous activities for families, including "a pond, pool, playgrounds, 'bouncy pillow', mini golf, and lots more." Another camper mentioned they "have a lot of activities, such as pool, fishing pond and trails."
What you should know
Site differences by loop: At Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground, campsites vary significantly between loops. "Acorn Loop has lake-front sites that I would highly recommend. Sites 4-12 are the best, with #11 being the best best: it's right on the water but also kind of tucked away a bit."
Reservation timing: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. Christopher Run Campground advises, "Make sure you reserve your spot on the weekend they go fast." Sites with specific features like water views are particularly in demand.
Shower facilities: Shower quality varies between campgrounds. At Christopher Run, one camper reported, "The shower left SO MUCH to be desired... 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."
Cell service and connectivity: Most campgrounds have adequate cell coverage for major carriers, but wifi varies greatly. Some campers noted "NO INTERNET" at Christopher Run, while others reported that campgrounds like Americamps had "good wifi at our site."
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Lake Anna State Park offers multiple water recreation options for children of various ages. One visitor mentioned, "There is a great swimming area with a little kids area that was so fun! We did a hike around the whole lake, lots of great views."
Playground facilities: At Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA, the facilities are "kid friendly" with a "large playground and pool, all very clean and well kept." Another camper mentioned, "Kid friendly biking around the park. Also saw many with electric scooters and golf carts."
Natural play elements: Some campgrounds offer unique natural features that entertain children. At Powhatan State Park, one family found "a lot of vines that served as 'natural playground' for our kids; they used them as swings, monkey bars, and enjoyed getting their feet wet at the base of the canoe ramp."
Bug awareness: Parents should come prepared for insects, especially during summer months. One camper at Bear Creek Lake warned, "My kids came back with poison ivy everywhere, so watch out for that!" Another mentioned, "Lots of bugs. Even with bug spray."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Cozy Acres Campground RV Resort, RVers appreciate the "brick paver pads, full hookups" and note that sites "facing the lake" are particularly desirable. One RVer recommended site 119 at Cozy Acres, mentioning the "wonderful customer service" and lake views.
Hookup details: While many campgrounds advertise electric hookups, specifications vary. Pocahontas State Park has "no sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp)," while Americamps RV Resort offers "full hookups, including cable TV."
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have length restrictions for RVs. At Bear Creek Lake State Park, there's a "limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer." Driving routes and internal campground roads also vary in quality, with some campgrounds featuring "paved and gravel roads."
