Chickery's Travels

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Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA (Monroe, Virginia)

The Lynchburg / Blue Ridge Parkway KOA is my favorite KOA in the state! Located just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and the James River, it has fabulous views all around the campground, not to mention all the recreational opportunities.

Watch the short video review below or continue reading for more details.

Sites

As you know, one of our favorite thing about KOA campgrounds is that they offer a range of campsites to allow everyone to pick the best one for their budget or preference. In addition to having several different site types, we loved how all the campsites in this campground were grouped together, away from the activity area. There was also plenty of space and trees between the sites.

  • Deluxe Patio Sites – These are full hook up pull through sites with a dining table, extra seating area with lounge chairs, patio swing, and fire ring. If these had not of been fully booked on our stay, we would have selected one.
  • Standard and Premium Sized Pull Thru Sites – We had a standard full hook-up pull thru sites that come with a picnic table and fire ring. As you can see, they were very spacious.
Large RV campsites at the Blue Ridge Parkway KOA
  • Back-In Sites – We really loved the back in sites that were around the outer edges of the campground. They all backed up to trees and made for a cozy area around the campfire. 
  • No RV? No problem! They have tent sites and cabins to enjoy. The tents sites had power and water and were located down by the catch and release fishing pond. The cabins came in three types: Deluxe with a queen bed, sleeper sofa, and a sleeping loft for the kids. It also has a full bathroom with shower and a kitchenette with mini-fridge, stovetop, and microwave. The Studio Deluxe Cabin has a queen bed, bunk beds, full bathroom with shower, and a mini kitchenette. Finally, the rustic camping cabins have a full-sized bed, bunk beds, but no bathroom or kitchen. They do have fire pits with a grill and are located close to a bath house.
KOA has several different types of camping cabins.

Amenities 

This campground has a lot of amenities to keep the whole family happy during your stay. They had a playground, foos ball and ping pong tables, basketball courts, and a jumping pad all located near a large open area for the kids to run around. There was also a swimming pool and a fair sized camp store. Located on one end of the campground was a dog park large enough for our dog to run around off leash.

Another great amenity was the huge catch & release fishing pond and several interconnected nature trails. It felt like a state park campground, but with KOA amenities!

Local Area 

The Blue Ridge Parkway, known as America’s Drive is managed by the National Park Service. The Parkway’s 469 miles spans the southern and central Appalachians through Virginia and North Carolina. An access point near mile 60 of the Parkway is located only a mile from the campground. I went hiking to a fabulous waterfall at Apple Orchard Falls.

Blue Ridge Parkway overlook and hiking trails

Another nearby destination is the Lynchburg Riverwalk and Percival’s Island. The RiverWalk first travels through historic downtown Lynchburg. This section of downtown has become a truly unique area with a children’s museum, shops, bicycle rentals, and restaurants. The multi-use trail crosses onto Percival’s Island, a beautiful natural area with waterfront views.

The village of Appomattox Courthouse is only a 40-minute drive away. Managed by the National Park Service, this is the historic site of the surrender of General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865. There are several historic buildings and a ranger-led tour of the McLean House where the actual surrender took place.

Book Your Stay

Whether you are looking for a quick get away or family vacation, you can’t go wrong with this amazing KOA campground! Click here to make reservations and don’t forget to sign up for the rewards program to get 10% off every KOA stay. We love the rewards program because you also earn points to use towards discounts on future stays. We were able to get $50 off our weekend here using accumulated rewards points.

Interested in learning more about what KOAs have to offer? Click here to listen to Sean & Kenny’s interview with the President and CEO of the company.

Learn About Other Great Campgrounds in Virginia

Virginia has a lot of great campgrounds for every type of camping style. From state and national parks to luxury RV resorts and everything in between, Virginia has got you covered. Here are a few that we have personally enjoyed:

  • Fort Belvoir Travel Camp – If you’re fortunate enough to have access to military bases, this campground is situated along the Potomac River. It is also close enough to Washington DC to serve as a base for your visit to the nation’s capitol.
  • Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA – We love this quiet, wooded campground with easy access to Shenandoah National Park.
  • Luray KOA – This immaculate KOA campground is nestled between the Massanutten range and Shenandoah National Park. It’s also a close to the renowned Luray Caverns.
  • Shenandoah River State Park – Fabulous state park with 5 miles of riverfront access. The river is only a 2-minute walk from the campground which boasts huge sites and water / power hook ups.

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The Blue Ridge Parkway KOA near Lynchburg, Virginia is the perfect campground for your family's next RV trip! With large sites, plenty of trees, and tons of amenities, everyone will be a happy camper.

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Shenandoah River State Park (Bentonville, Virginia)

If you are looking for a great campground in the northern Shenandoah Valley, then this is the place for you. Shenandoah River State Park is open year round and is only minutes from Shenandoah National Park. Whether you are camping in an RV, tent, or cabin, there is something for everyone.

Watch the video review below or read on for more information:

Sites

The best part about this campground is that it is situated only a few minutes walk from the beautiful Shenandoah River.  However, it is important to note that you won’t have a river view from the campsites as there a trees between the campground and the river. 

Shenandoah River State Park is open year round and has 32 RV sites with water and electric.
  • RV Sites: The campground has 32 back in sites with water and power, as well as plenty of room for your RV, tow vehicle, and even a tent or canopy. 
  • Cabins: The campground has nine 2-bedroom cabins with a bathroom, heating, and air conditioning. They also have four primitive camp cabins that don’t have a bathroom, heating, and air conditioning.
  • Yurts: The campground also has three yurts that have one queen bed and a twin sized trundle pull out. The yurts do not have electricity or water, but water is available at the bathhouse. There is no heat or air conditioning. Each yurt has a dining table, a large wooden deck with patio tables, a picnic table and fire ring with cooking grate.
  • Tent Sites: There is a separate tent-only, hike in campground with primitive sites.

Amenities 

This is a typical state park campground, which means there aren’t as many amenities as you’d find in a private RV resort. However, the natural beauty of the area more than makes up for it. 

The campground does have laundry facilities, a bath house, and a dump station. 

From the campground you can easily access the park’s 5 miles of river front, 24 miles of multi-use trails, and a wonderful nature center. 

Local Area 

Shenandoah National Park is the highlight of this region and is only a ten minute drive away. It has a multitude of activities and is open year round. Scenic Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park and is the only public road through the Park. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the Park on a clear day. Skyline Drive is generally open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. If it’s closed due to inclement weather, you may still enter the Park on foot at one of the entrance stations or from a boundary access point. The national park also has over 500 miles of trails with several waterfalls.

There are over 500 miles of trails in Shenandoah National Park and several lead to waterfalls.
Dark Hollow Falls at Shenandoah National Park

Book Your Stay Now

Whether you are looking for a quick get away or family vacation, you can’t go wrong with this amazing state park campground! Click here to make reservations and don’t forget to look at the map and choose the site that is best for you.

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The Shenandoah River State Park campground is the perfect base for your next RV vacation. With 5 miles of riverfront access 24 miles of multi-use trails it is the perfect location to enjoy the great outdoors. It is also located only 10 minutes from Shenandoah National Park, providing the perfect RV camping destination for your family.

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Alternatives To National Park Campgrounds

National Parks are among the most popular places for RV travelers. Add in the fact that RV sales are booming and that makes it even harder than ever to actually get a reservation in a national park campground. Luckily there are many other camping options in and near national parks. 

Watch the video below or read on for recommended alternatives to national park campgrounds. 

Consider Boondocking 

If you are willing to forego the water and power hook ups, some national parks have dispersed campsites. At Big Bend National Park, you can get a 10-day permit. At Joshua Tree National Park, there is plentiful Bureau of Land Management (BLM) boondocking land right outside the south entrance. 

Boondocking or dry camping is plentiful at many national parks and national forests.

Another boondocking option you may find near a national park, is through the Boondockers Welcome program. This is a membership program that allows you to stay for free on private owner’s land. Many of the Boondockers Welcome hosts are avid RVers themselves and are happy to welcome travelers.

Membership Campgrounds 

Some membership campgrounds are located near national parks. For example, if you wanted to visit Yosemite National Park and were an Escapees member, you could stay at their SKP Park of the Sierras. Thousand Trails members can stay at Yosemite Lakes RV campground five miles from Yosemite National Park. This is a situation where being a member has its benefits! 

National Forests 

If you really have your heart set on using your National Parks pass (especially if you can use the 50% senior or access pass discount), look for nearby national forests. Kaibab National Forest’s Ten X Campground is the perfect example as its located near the south rim of Grand Canyon National Park. 

State Parks 

So many state parks are located near national parks. Adjacent to Big Bend National Park is Big Bend Ranch State Park. Jonathan Stewart State Park is only a 30-minute drive from Crater Lake National Park. And we really enjoyed Shenandoah River State Park, which is only a 10-minute drive from the north entrance of Shenandoah National Park. 

Privately Owned Campgrounds 

We have stayed at some of the most wonderful campgrounds right outside of national parks. One of our favorites was the Redwoods KOA in Crescent City, California. Another fabulous option is the Tucson LazyDays KOA near Saguaro National Park. The bonus here is that you get to visit stunning natural areas while enjoying all the amenities of a private RV resort when you are back at your right. 

  • Given Zion National Park's incredible popularity, scoring a campsite inside the park can be extremely tough, and if you park your RV far away, you may get stuck in a long line of traffic waiting to get in at the front gate. One solution is to book a site at Zion Canyon Campground. While, admittedly, the campground is busy and its sites are close together, it offers unparalleled access to Zion. In fact, you can leave your car parked at the campground and simply walk into the park (and then hop on one of the park's shuttles to get around inside the park.) It is an ideal campground to use as a base for exploring this gorgeous national park.
    Photo credit: Chapter 3 Travels

Given Zion National Park’s incredible popularity, scoring a campsite inside the park can be extremely tough, and if you park your RV far away, you may get stuck in a long line of traffic waiting to get in at the front gate. One solution is to book a site at Zion Canyon Campground. While, admittedly, the campground is busy and its sites are close together, it offers unparalleled access to Zion. In fact, you can leave your car parked at the campground and simply walk into the park (and then hop on one of the park’s shuttles to get around inside the park.) It is an ideal campground to use as a base for exploring this gorgeous national park. 

As you can see, there are many options for you if the national park campground is full or simply isn’t the right fit for you.

Related post: Are you thinking of going to Acadia National Park? Here are my tips on what not to miss in Acadia.

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Learn where to stay when the national parks campgrounds are full or simply aren't the right fit for your RV travel style. Given our national parks popularity, scoring a campsite inside the parks can be extremely tough, and if you park your RV far away, you may get stuck in a long line of traffic waiting to get in at the front gate. Follow these tips to the best alternatives to national park camping.

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