Cabin camping near Palmyra, Virginia offers access to the James River watershed at elevations between 200-400 feet. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 60-75°F range. Most cabin rentals require 2-night minimum stays during peak season from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bear Creek Lake State Park Campground offers a 40-acre lake stocked with catfish. "The fishing was not bad. Caught my first ever catfish," notes one visitor to the park. The lake permits both shore fishing and small watercraft.
Trail exploration: Powhatan State Park spans over 1,500 acres with multiple hiking options. According to a camper, "The park has lots of trails, miles of open meadows, and James River access. Great park for bicycling." Trails range from easy 0.2-mile walks to more challenging 2+ mile routes.
Water activities: Christopher Run Campground on Lake Anna provides beach access and boat rentals. A visitor mentions, "The campground has canoes that can be rented, places to fish, mini golf, and weekly events. It is a great place for the whole family to enjoy." Canoe rentals run approximately $20 per hour.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Misty Mountain Camp Resort offers tent and cabin sites with good separation. A camper notes, "Back in sites for smaller trailers such as our teardrop were plenty big enough but still on the outskirts of the field." Sites include electric hookups with 20A, 30A, and 50A options.
Clean facilities: Cozy Acres Campground maintains well-kept bathhouses and common areas. "Bath house is very clean. The sites are a good size and laid out well," reports a visitor. Their cabins feature brick paver pads for level setup and convenient access to amenities.
Recreation options: Small Country Campground provides diverse activities beyond standard amenities. "This place is great for family camping. They have a pond, pool, playgrounds, 'bouncy pillow', mini golf, and lots more," says a guest. The campground continues expanding facilities yearly.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Most cabin locations fill quickly during summer months. At Powhatan State Park, "Make sure you reserve your spot early, you may be placed near the road, where traffic is an issue."
Cabin types and layouts: Cabins range from rustic to deluxe across the region. Loft Mountain Campground offers more basic accommodations while others provide full amenities. According to a visitor to Misty Mountain, "The cabins are super cool. Found out that you can actually order them on Amazon, which is really ingenious."
Seasonal considerations: Weather impacts cabin availability and experience. Christopher Run Campground operates seasonally: "We came for the last weekend of their season and there were few campers. The area has some pretty water views."
Supplies and provisions: Most cabin locations offer basic supplies at camp stores but with limited selection. Small Country Campground has "everything even a small grocery store," while others require bringing supplies from nearby towns.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Shenandoah Crossing provides extensive options for children. "Salt water pool, horse rides, go karts, mini golf. Definitely more than a campground," one visitor shares. Activities operate seasonally with most options available May through September.
Swimming options: Several cabin locations offer swimming facilities. At Bear Creek Lake, "There is a great swimming area with a little kids area that was so fun!" The beach areas typically include designated shallow sections for younger children.
Playground access: Campgrounds vary in playground quality and proximity to cabins. Cozy Acres features "a play area for the kids, swimming pool, several fishing ponds, bike trails and more." Most playgrounds cater to children 5-12 years old.
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: When booking cabins near RV areas, check proximity to roads and other campsites. At Charlottesville KOA, "Our campsite was a back-in which was in a quiet corner of the campground. The site was long enough for our 45' motorhome and tow car."
Parking configurations: Some cabin locations limit vehicle parking. Christopher Run Campground visitors note, "The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away." Most cabin sites accommodate one vehicle, with overflow parking available.
Utility connections: Check cabin power capabilities if bringing equipment. "Some full hookups. Tent sites, numerous semi-permanent people," reports a Christopher Run visitor. Most cabins provide 20-30 amp service, with limited 50 amp availability.
