Camping options within a 40-mile radius of Midlothian, Virginia are situated in the Virginia Piedmont region at elevations ranging from 150-400 feet. This area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters where overnight temperatures can drop below freezing from December through February. The region's water-rich landscape includes several man-made lakes and the James River watershed, creating diverse waterfront camping opportunities.
What to do
Fishing spots: 3 stocked ponds at Cozy Acres Campground provide varied angling opportunities. "They have a catch and release pond, a nice pool and everything is in walking distance," notes one camper. Another mentions there's both "a catch and release pond successfully but didn't try out the catch and keep catfish pond."
Biking: Virginia Capital Trail access from Chickahominy Riverfront Park runs for miles on paved surfaces. "Great park for bicycling," notes one reviewer. Another mentions: "If you do not bring your bikes you're missing out. The Virginia Capital Trail goes right through the park!"
Swimming: beach and water playground at Twin Lakes State Park Campground offers supervised swimming areas. "The swimming area is so amazing. Great area for the kids to enjoy a safe and fun swimming experience," notes one camper. Another visitor mentioned "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."
Boat rentals: kayaks, canoes, paddleboards available at multiple locations. At Bear Creek Lake, "We brought innertubes and just floated but we saw people fishing, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boarding, and paddle boating."
What campers like
Privacy levels: wooded sites at Pocahontas State Park Campground provide natural screening between campsites. "Some of the campsites are surrounded with forest. Very quiet and peaceful," notes one camper. Another mentions: "Every camper's dream spot. Seriously, this modern giant state park has it all: mostly private sites, a paved road for biking, plenty of tree cover (even in winter)."
Bathroom facilities: individual shower rooms at several parks offer privacy. One visitor to Powhatan State Park Campground mentioned "Bathrooms are individual with a shower in each one" while another noted "I was very happy to see such a clean bathhouse, especially during the current pandemic."
Waterfront sites: lake views available at specific sites. One Bear Creek Lake visitor shared, "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."
Quiet atmosphere: secluded feeling despite proximity to urban areas. "Very quiet and peaceful," notes one Pocahontas State Park visitor. Another camper mentioned this park is "20 mins from every store you can imagine, but super quiet at night."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: size and levelness vary significantly across campgrounds. At Christopher Run Campground, "The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away." Another camper mentioned: "Sites somewhat level, very small and packed in. On the water."
Water pressure and shower timing: facilities vary by campground. At Christopher Run, one camper noted the shower "only allows 36 SECONDS of water before it shuts back off. (I timed it several times after showering) The water is Lukewarm."
Tent pad materials: some campgrounds use unconventional surfaces. At Bear Creek Lake, "The tent pads are filled with shredded tires instead of gravel or dirt, which provides a little extra cushion, but can be uncomfortable on bare feet."
Seasonal crowds: attendance patterns affect experience. During peak summer weekends, many campgrounds reach capacity, while shoulder seasons offer more solitude. One camper noted: "We were very uncomfortable our first night because of this, so fall would probably be the best time to go as it is when central Virginia has the best weather."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: multiple options for children of various ages. One visitor noted Cozy Acres "playground is impressive and the staff is very welcoming upon arrival." Another mentioned, "They have a play area for the kids, swimming pool, several fishing ponds, bike trails and more."
Swimming beach safety: designated areas have lifeguards and varying depths. At Lake Anna State Park, "The swimming area is clean and very family oriented" while Bear Creek Lake has "a great swimming area with a little kids area that was so fun!"
Educational opportunities: ranger programs teach about local ecology and history. "They have a good weekend program for the family," noted one Bear Creek Lake visitor. At Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA, "they have a shuttle service to the amusement park that runs by roughly every 25-30 mins."
Family-friendly layout: some campgrounds cluster amenities. "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," noted one Kings Dominion KOA visitor.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: electrical amperage varies by site. At Pocahontas State Park, "No sewer hookups (they do have 30/50amp)," while at Powhatan State Park, "Only a few years old. No full hookup (yes 30/50 amp)."
Site dimensions: length restrictions apply at some parks. At Bear Creek Lake, there's a "Limit on RV length to 35 feet. This includes tow vehicle and trailer."
Accessibility features: some sites designed for mobility needs. "The ADA accessible trail and fishing platforms are a really nice addition," noted one Lake Anna visitor.
Paved vs. gravel pads: surface types impact leveling requirements. "Sites are spaced well and laid out well. There is a mix of site amenities," noted one Cozy Acres visitor.
