Tent campers near Glen Allen, Virginia can access established camping facilities within a 40-mile radius. The region features rolling Piedmont terrain with mixed hardwood forests and numerous water bodies. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with average highs between 65-80°F and cooler nights ideal for campfires.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Anna State Park Campground features accessible fishing platforms along the shoreline. A camper notes, "If you're looking for a relaxing fishing afternoon, they have some of the nicest fishing piers with ample sitting area."
Horseback riding: Equestrian trails attract riders to Lake Anna State Park Campground. One visitor shared, "Wonderful place, very beautiful! Of courses, horses loved it too!"
Star gazing: The open fields at Cloverdale Farms provide excellent night sky viewing. A camper mentioned, "Fields in the back lend a great view for star gazing and looking up at the Milky Way."
Paddling adventures: Many tent campers bring kayaks to explore local waterways. A regular visitor to Lake Land'Or General Campground explains, "My favorite thing to do is put my kayak in the water and paddle around no matter what season it is."
What campers like
Privacy levels: Some sites offer more seclusion than others. A camper at Daybreak Glamp Camp shared, "It was quite peaceful and the weather for the most part was great. I had camp fires every night."
Farm animal interactions: Several campgrounds operate on working farms. At Cloverdale Farms, visitors appreciate that "there are pet goats, cats, a dog, and chickens that all love attention. Guests are more than welcome to help in the garden, pick flowers, and enjoy fresh produce and eggs while they're here."
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance receives positive mentions. A camper at Daybreak Glamp Camp noted, "The bathroom was kept clean and there's a shower also. I highly recommend if you just want to get away for a couple days."
Helpful hosts: Many tent campers value attentive campground operators. One visitor to Daybreak Glamp Camp recalled, "The owner and his family were super sweet and helpful. They definitely set you up for success! He even let us borrow some gear when our tent got rained out and showed us a few tricks."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Several campgrounds near Glen Allen restrict access. Lake Land'Or General Campground is "only open to residents of the gated community and their guests."
Noise considerations: Popular campgrounds can become busy during peak season. A visitor to Lake Anna State Park Campground noted it was "very nice, plenty to see and do, but very crowded and noisy, even after quiet time."
Bathroom facilities: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Lake Anna mentioned, "Bath house clean, but toilet paper is thinner than dry onion skin."
Site spacing: Campsite proximity varies by location. A visitor to Lake Anna State Park Campground commented, "We weren't excited about being so close to so many people. We were within 3 feet of our neighbors and 10 feet of 6-7 camp sites. There were more people than there was trees and wildlife."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Children appreciate recreational facilities at some campgrounds. A visitor to Lake Land'Or General Campground mentioned, "My grandson loves camping there because of the playground, and for dog lovers, there is a fenced dog walk."
Swimming options: Phantom Hill Forest Farm offers primitive sites with nearby water access. A camper noted, "The sites are large and primitive. We had no trouble getting down there in the jeep. We appreciated the dishes/kitchen set up, games, and the adorable outhouse!"
Holiday activities: Special events occur at certain times. One Lake Anna State Park visitor shared, "Always come here for fourth of July and it is quite a show there are a bunch of activities to do."
Trail access: Paved pathways accommodate strollers and mobility devices. A Lake Anna visitor praised the "great space for RVs and tents. Cabins and yurts available. Beach area is 1/2 mile paved walk. Beach very crowded on weekends."
Tips from RVers
Accessibility features: Lake Anna State Park Campground accommodates various camping needs. A visitor observed, "This campground is ADA accessible with the lantern hangers having lower hooks for those in wheelchairs, and at least one of the cabins has a wheelchair ramp."
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require minimal setup. At Lake Land'Or General Campground, "The sites are fairly level, although some do have a slight slope. There is no water or electricity at any of the sites, but there are fire rings."
Site types: Lake Anna State Park offers varied accommodations. A camper noted, "Although we only tent camped, I noticed a lot of things about the campground that would welcome RVs as well. There were large back-in sites as well as pull-through sites. There was also a dump station."
