Virginia’s topography and geography bring us a wide range of winter weather. While feet of snow may fall in the mountains, the tidal shores of the Potomac can remain dry and mild. Weather permitting, camping in the offseason can be a nice reprieve from the summer crowds and offers a unique opportunity to explore your parks and see them in a new light.
While most of our campgrounds close the first Monday in December and reopen March 1, we do have a handful of year-round, full-service campgrounds. If you’re feeling really adventurous, our primitive camps are available year-round, too.
Winter Camping Options
FULL-SERVICE CAMPGROUNDS
Four parks with developed campgrounds have full service, year-round availability:
PRIMITIVE CAMPING
All primitive sites are year-round except the seasonally available Chestnut Hollow Sites at Grayson Highlands. These sites are available from November through the first Monday in December and then again from March 1-April 30.
Primitive sites MAY NOT have access to a potable water source. All primitive sites have access to a privy or pit toilet. Contact the park for more information.
Year-round primitive camping is available at:
- Belle Isle State Park
- Caledon State Park
- False Cape State Park
- James River State Park
- New River Trail State Park
- Powhatan State Park
- Sky Meadows State Park
WEATHER
Before heading out for a winter park visit, check the park’s individual web page. We will post a notification if weather issues have forced us to close the park.
It is essential to be prepared for any weather. Brush up on your Winter camping tips, before heading out.
CAMPGROUND
POLICIES
RESERVATIONS
Recent blogs about Camping
- New in 2022: Site-specific Campsite Reservations at Sky Meadows
- AT Hikers: Sky Meadows State Park is a Great Place to Stop (Or Start)
- CCC Group Cabin Restoration Project at Pocahontas State Park
- 5 Ways to Enjoy the National Day of Unplugging
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- More recent blogs about Camping.
