If you and your partner are the type of couple that enjoys the Great Outdoors, consider a romantic getaway staying at one of these campgrounds. In addition to spending quality time together while you camp, you’ll spend time discovering the beauty of Virginia’s natural landscape.
Chincoteague Island KOA—Chincoteague
photo credit: Todd Wright, @toddwrightphoto
What Makes it Romantic: View from the lighthouse; wild ponies
Assateague Island has some of the most gorgeous undeveloped beaches in the state. While you can’t camp on-site, plan your romantic camping getaway to Chincoteague Island KOA to get access to the adjacent beaches of Assateague Island. Located near the entrance of Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the campground gives you access to the park’s hiking trails. Take Woodland Trail through the park for a chance to see the famous wild ponies of the Eastern Shore.
A little over a mile from the campground, the Assateague Lighthouse is the perfect place to take in the surrounding scenery. If you come between 9am and 3pm, you can even climb to the top of the lighthouse to see miles of open sand fronting the Atlantic. Skip the fancy restaurants for dinner and instead try your hand at crabbing, clamming, and oystering while on Assateague Island. The campsite has fire pits where you can prepare your fresh catch!
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Camp store on-site
- Pet-friendly
- Bathrooms with showers
- Outdoor pool
- Laundry Room
- Volleyball and shuffleboard courts
Grayson Highlands State Park Campground—Mouth of Wilson
Photo Credit: Trevor Frost, @tbfrost
What Makes it Romantic: Rhododendrons, starry skies, vast meadows
The romantic atmosphere at Grayson Highlands State Park Campground comes from more than just the breathtaking panoramic views. The area connects you to nature in a way that is rare in today’s developed world. You may even wake up to a wild ponies on your campsite, wandering around nonchalantly as they nibble on the native grasses. The park is surrounded by miles and miles of trails that lead to a variety of incredible scenery, including waterfalls, the heights of Mount Rogers, and of course, lots of wildflowers. Stables are available for those that want to bring their own horses and take on the trails from the saddle.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Horse stables available
- Firewood for sale
- Pet-friendly
- Bathrooms with showers
- Access to Appalachian Trail and 67 miles of horse trails
Chippokes State Park Campground—Surry
Photo Credit: Bill Crabtree Jr.
What Makes it Romantic: Romantic mansion and beautiful, peaceful grounds
One of the oldest in the country, Chippokes State Park has been a working farm since 1619. Tour the park’s antebellum-style home, Chippokes Mansion, and the outbuildings on the surrounding estate to get a glimpse of the 17th century lifestyle. Stay on the campgrounds of the historic park, located near the banks of the James River, for simple yet comfortable accommodations. The campgrounds have an outdoor pool and trails encircling the park for hiking or horseback riding. Along the trails and throughout the entire park, you’ll discover an abundance of Virginia wildlife, such as bald eagles, deer, and river otters. Get a little extra romance during your visit with a walk through the estate’s formal gardens.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Bathrooms with showers
- Outdoor pool
- Firewood for sale
- Hiking and equestrian trails
Misty Mountain Camp Resort—Greenwood
What Makes it Romantic: Spend the day sipping wine on the Monticello Wine Trail, then bring a bottle of wine back to the campsite and savor a glass by the campfire.
Staying at Misty Mountain Camp Resort at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains gives you access to more than 30 breweries and wineries, all within a few miles of the camp along the Monticello Wine Trail. A lovely stream runs through the campgrounds, adding to the enchanting atmosphere of the rolling hills bordering the grounds. For a little extra privacy during your stay, request one of the wooded sites off the main road.
Another romantic option for couples is nearby Carter Mountain Orchard, where you can pick berries during summer months and apples in the fall. They sell a bevy of apple products to take home with you, and their apple cider donuts are an absolute must! Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at the campgrounds and orchard, but if you plan on visiting wineries, breweries, or other local attractions, call ahead to make sure they allow pets.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Pet-friendly
- Outdoor pool
- Stage with frequent live music
- Basketball and volleyball courts
- Camp store
- Game room with pool table
North Bend Park & Campgrounds—Boydton
photo credit: Cameron Davidson
What Makes it Romantic: Sunset over the water
Right beside Buggs Island Lake (formally called John H. Kerr Reservoir), North Bend Park & Campground may sit on a 50,000-acre man made lake, but the park’s sandy shores will make you and your partner feel as if you discovered a hidden beach. Spend your days fishing, wading in the cool lake waters, or sunbathing along the shores.
If staying active and exploring the park is more your speed, check out the hiking and biking trails that run throughout the park. Although the beaches are off-limits to pets, you can camp and hit the trails with your furry friends. Finish the day watching the epic sunset over the lake waters from a secluded beach spot.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Pet-friendly
- Bathrooms with showers
- Fishing and boat dock
- Interpretive trails
First Landing State Park Campgrounds—Virginia Beach
What Makes it Romantic: Privacy with campsites off the main road, beachfront views
Minutes from the hustle and bustle of popular tourist attractions in Virginia Beach, First Landing State Park Campgrounds offers beach side camping with more privacy than you’ll find along the nearby shores. Although the park is the most visited in the state, many of the campsites are tucked into small alcoves off the main campground road and are ideal for a romantic evening together. Explore 19 miles of trails on the property, and if you would rather ride than walk, the park has bikes available for guests to rent. Another perk for First Landing State Park? The beaches are dog-friendly year round.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Bathrooms with showers
- Pet-friendly
- Camp store
- Laundry
- Hiking and biking trails
- Bicycle rental
Endless Caverns Campgrounds—New Market
What Makes it Romantic: Gorgeous caverns on the property, as well as a zero entry swimming pool.
“Endless” may be stretching the truth quite a bit, but as the name implies, Endless Caverns Campgrounds has impressive geological caverns on-site. Technically, the caverns span about six miles underground, although only about a mile of the pathways are safe and open to the public. If the weather permits, head over to the zero entry swimming pool, which slopes into the deeper waters like a natural shoreline. Please note that if you bring pets along, they are not allowed in the pool area or caverns, but you can take them on the wooded trails that encircle the park.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Pet-friendly
- Bathrooms with showers
- Outdoor pool
- Game room
- Volleyball court
- Wi-fi available
- Laundry
- Catch and release pond
- Hiking and biking trails
Douthat State Park Campgrounds—Clifton Forge
Photo Credit: Big Orange Frame
What Makes it Romantic: Quiet, secluded camping within beautiful George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, plenty of activities for outdoor enthusiasts
Between the surrounding Allegheny Mountains and the park’s 50-acre lake, Douthat State Park Campgrounds is absolute paradise for couples that enjoy outdoor activities. Take a swim in the lake or bring your boat for a peaceful fishing adventure. This park is known for being a little more off the beaten path, with little-to-no cell phone service available, but couples looking to spend quality time together appreciate the lack of distractions that a phone often creates. If you are looking for a campground that truly lets you get back to nature while enjoying your partner’s company, Douthat State Park is perfect for your next romantic getaway.
Campsite Amenities:
- Water/electric hookup available
- Pet-friendly
- Horse stalls available
- Bathrooms with showers
- Hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking trails
If you want to step up your camping game, rent an RV from a local business, or if you want to try out camping without investing in new equipment, consider renting from one of these outfitters:
- Roanoke Region Outfitters—Roanoke
While every couple enjoys a luxury getaway from time to time, camping in Virginia can sometimes provide a more affordable, rustic alternative without losing any of the romance. Take your beloved to one of these affection-inspiring campgrounds for a romantic retreat in nature.
Chincoteague KOA is the antithesis of romantic. You’re like a sardine in a crappy campground where neither the campsite manager nor the president of KOA will respond to complaints. Go north to Assateague. You won’t regret it.
**HORRID-Misty Mountain Campground Resort***
Went to this campground for Memorial Day weekend with family friends with little kids & had a horrible experience. Stayed two nights. Both nights we were kept up with loud music throughout the park & especially on the last night a group of RV’ers were playing music until 4:00 am!! They were belligerent & aggressive when asked repeatedly to observe quiet hours. We were afraid as they were drunk and confrontational. The campground has NO security, no one to call after hours and in the morning when we told the staff our experience they couldn’t have cared less. The bathhouses were out of TP and hand paper towels (during COVID!?!) the entire weekend and always dirty. We will never go back and suggest you seriously think hard before booking this campground. It is absolutely not suitable for families wanting a friendly, pleasant and safe campground.
“camp sights” with water/electric hook ups end up looking more like an rv dealership lot than a tranquil, back to nature experience that most tent campers and small popup campers desire.
I agree John! Where would you recommend to camp in Virginia? I just moved here form Colorado and I’m having trouble finding more “nature” camp sites.
Take a look at campgrounds offered by the forest service ans Shenandoah National Park! You will find beautiful, natural seetings that do not look like RV sales lots and are not almost as coatly as a motel!
Grayson Highlands has the sudden weather extremes that you have seen in Colorado. In fact, the approach to high point Mount Rogers urges hikers to check the weather radar before heading out. During one Grayson Highlands campout, the wind howled overnight, leaving us buried in leaves.
Ok … I did the off site camping when I was younger and now want to enjoy the time in a trailer that is outfitted with what I love. Backpacking in my teen and twenties, tent camping in my thirties and now have graduated to trailer camping in my forties and fifties and not at all embarrassed by that! Actually, love it!
Check out Prospect Hill Plantation near Charlottesville – we loved staying in the “Boys Cabin”!
We love First Landing State Park Campground – the lights on the Bay-Bridge Tunnel at night look like a string of Christmas lights!