Glamping accommodations near Randolph, Virginia range from premium sites with electricity to primitive options suited for those seeking seclusion. Kerr Lake's 850 miles of shoreline influence the region's camping experiences, with water activities figuring prominently in most parks. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through August, making lakeside camping particularly appealing during these months.
What to do
Stargazing equipment: Free telescope rentals are available at Staunton River State Park. "The park offers rentals of telescopes too. They also have a nature learning lab, some cool animals, and a fantastic gift shop," notes Bridget H. The park hosts organized star viewing events throughout the year.
Fishing opportunities: Kerr Lake at Kimball Point Campground offers excellent fishing access. "Water is very clear! You can see probably about 5-6 feet down," reports Jess. The campground includes multiple shore fishing spots and a boat launch for more serious anglers.
Lake activities: Swimming and boating are popular at Twin Lakes State Park during summer months. "The swimming lake is a good size. There is a concession stand, a beach with lifeguard, and a rental station for paddle boats," says Andrea N. The park maintains designated swimming areas with safety features for children.
Hiking trails: Multiple difficulty levels exist throughout the region's parks. At Holliday Lake State Park, "there are only about 10 miles of trails within the park, but there are miles and miles of trails within the surrounding forest," according to Andrea N. Most trails offer moderate difficulty with significant elevation changes.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Early morning wildlife sightings are common at several parks. At Occoneechee State Park, "we paddled around Bugg's Lake. The whole trip we saw lots of birds, squirrels, deer, and raccoons," shares one camper identified as RL. Morning and evening hours provide the best viewing opportunities.
Waterfront camping: Lake views are particularly valued at Bullocksville Campground. "Very happy I drove around first before reserving a site. Not all sites are flat and some are very hard to drive into. Many have very nice lake views, and some are totally private!" reports Jeff K. Sites 25-31 at Occoneechee offer direct water access.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive frequent positive mentions. At Holliday Lake, a visitor notes, "Quiet, beautiful and Dog Friendly! There are beautiful trails for hiking and a ton of fishing spots!" Amanda W. adds that the park hasn't "lost its charm one bit" over 25 years.
Privacy between sites: Tree coverage varies significantly between campgrounds and specific sites. Bear Creek Lake State Park features "mature shade trees but well maintained" campgrounds according to Erica M., who noted that "the bathhouse is kept very clean" and there are "programs every weekend."
What you should know
Terrain challenges: Many sites require leveling equipment for RVs and larger tents. At Holliday Lake State Park, "bring your leveling blocks - you will need them!" advises Jennifer K. The campground features significant slope variations throughout camping areas.
Cell service limitations: Reception varies widely between parks. Twin Lakes State Park offers WiFi near the bathhouses, but most areas have limited connectivity. Holliday Lake has "no cell service in the park," according to George L., who mentions "WiFi is available outside the contact station."
Reservation timing: Popular sites book quickly, especially waterfront locations. For Kimball Point Campground, Steven D. advises, "extremely hard to get reservations, need to try 11 months out." Peak summer weekends often fill 6-9 months in advance at most parks.
Seasonal activities: Program availability changes throughout the year. "The rangers here are awesome! Very helpful and knowledgeable. They even came around passing out flyers Friday night for the activities that weekend," notes Andrea N. about Holliday Lake State Park's weekend programs.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Designated beaches with safety features are available at several parks. Twin Lakes State Park offers "a great area for the kids to enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience," according to Jennifer G., who adds there's "a large playground for the kids and the roads are good for bike riding."
Educational programs: Nature activities are scheduled regularly during peak season. "Some of the activities included spear throwing, how to start different types of fires, nocturnal animals sounds, and watching fish at night," reports Andrea N. about Holliday Lake's ranger programs.
Playground access: Multiple play areas exist throughout the region's parks. At Hyco Lake State Park, one visitor noted, "Playground could use updating and maybe a fence around since it's so close to the road," suggesting families keep close supervision.
Site selection: Proximity to bathhouses matters with younger children. At Bear Creek Lake, sites "A1, A2, and A3 will have people walking by a lot for the bathhouses," according to RL, who recommends considering both privacy and convenience when selecting sites.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Length restrictions apply at several parks. Bear Creek Lake State Park has a "limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer," reports Erica M. Many parks have limited large rig access due to narrow interior roads.
Hookup placement: Water and electric connections may require extra equipment. At Bullocksville Park, Barb T. noted, "our water and electricity was on the passenger side of our vehicle so it was a good thing we had an extra hose to reach the water as well as a long enough cord."
Road considerations: Interior campground roads can be challenging. At Holliday Lake, Jacob S. reports the sites were "a good size but were very difficult to get even a small trailer into the site due to the narrow roads." Backing skills are essential at most area campgrounds.
Sanitary stations: Dump facilities are available but limited. Most parks feature a single dump station that can become congested during peak checkout times. RVers should plan accordingly or consider parks with full hookup sites when available.
