Camping opportunities near Mineral, Virginia center around Lake Anna, a 13,000-acre man-made reservoir with 200 miles of shoreline. The region sits at approximately 400 feet elevation in Virginia's Piedmont region, characterized by gently rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with primitive camping options available year-round at select locations.
What to do
**Fishing access: Lake Anna offers abundant fishing opportunities with largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish and crappie. "The sunsets over the water are priceless. Our grandchildren love that they are able to bike ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery," notes a visitor to Lake Anna State Park Campground.
**Watercraft rentals: Many campgrounds provide boat launch facilities and rental options. "They have canoes that can be rented, places to fish, mini golf, and weekly events. It is a great place for the whole family to enjoy," reports a camper at Christopher Run Campground.
**Hiking trails: Explore woodland paths through the Piedmont landscape. "Nice trails, decent campsites, cabins! The paved handicapped-accessible trail and fishing platforms are a really nice addition," states a visitor to Lake Anna State Park.
What campers like
**Lake swimming: Direct water access ranks high among camper preferences. "The campground has a wonderful beach with swim access to the lake. The beach is well maintained and campsites are spacious," notes a reviewer at Christopher Run Campground.
**Privacy options: For those seeking seclusion, certain campgrounds offer more isolated sites. "Our time at PHFF was excellent! It was such a peaceful escape from our work week. The mushroom farm is unlike anything I've seen," shares a camper at Phantom Hill Forest Farm.
**Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistently positive feedback. "The sites in the River Bend Campground (main campground) are private and wooded, especially this time of year when the trees are so full. I was very happy to see such a clean bathhouse," reports a visitor to Powhatan State Park Campground.
What you should know
**Site selection considerations: Campsite quality varies significantly across locations. "The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away. Mostly wooded, with shade. Our site D9, backed up to a small wooded section," notes a camper at Christopher Run Campground.
**Seasonal crowding: Summer weekends draw large crowds to lake-adjacent campgrounds. "Very nice, plenty to see and do, but very crowded and noisy, even after quite time," reports a visitor to Lake Anna State Park.
**Shower facilities: Bathhouse amenities differ between campgrounds. "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," explains a camper at Christopher Run Campground.
Tips for camping with families
**Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. "We really enjoyed our visit! They have a beach, playgrounds, mini golf, hiking, arcade and many other amenities. Very friendly and helpful!" shares a visitor to Christopher Run Campground.
**Kid-friendly water activities: Lake access provides swimming opportunities during summer months. "Great place for families with children, young and old! 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," notes a visitor to Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA.
**Age considerations: Some campgrounds better suit specific age groups. "The campground is pretty big and has a wonderful beach with swim access to the lake. The playground is for kids 5+ and there's not much to do outside of swimming in the lake for 5 and under. I'd recommend for adults and teens more so than large families with younger kiddos," advises a camper at Christopher Run Campground.
Tips from RVers
**Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring leveling blocks. "Some sites were very level. We were on site seven which was very long but very unlevel," reports an RVer at Powhatan State Park.
**Hookup options: Water and electric connections vary between campgrounds. "This campground is waaayyy back in the back of park. Only a few years old. No full hookup (yes 30/50 amp). Well maintained trails, level sites. No river access in campground," notes an RVer at Powhatan State Park.
**RV size considerations: Some campgrounds have limitations on larger rigs. "The sites are nice, lake is amazing in the summer time, and the family that runs the place are always helpful. It's a great place for one night or a month. They have cabins, RV sites, and good old fashioned sites," explains a visitor to Small Country Campground.
