One Tank Trip for Virginia Camping

Sponsored By:
Bethpage Camp-Resort www.bethpagecamp.com [email protected]
They say that Virginia is for lovers, and they couldn’t be more right: Lovers of fine dining, of outdoor recreation, of history, and lovers of just getting away from it all make Virginia their vacation destination year after year. With vast mountain ranges, unspoiled grassy plains, lakes, rivers and streams, and a wealth of opportunities to enjoy arts and culture, it’s no wonder that the Old Dominion State is ever-growing in popularity with new visitors and welcomes more and more returning visitors every year.
Charlottesville is a perfect example of the Southern hospitality for which Virginia has become famous. Situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you’ll find plenty of places to set up camp and get back to nature. Numerous lakes and streams give you somewhere to drop your line in the water and see how the fish are biting, and you’ve got an endless supply of hiking trails to choose from – enough trails for three visits. This in itself might be enough for nature lovers to consider Virginia camping one of their top ten choices. While you’re here, be sure to tour Monticello, the house designed and built by Thomas Jefferson, which became the primary residence for the president and his family. From spring to late fall, walking tours are available of the surrounding plantation country, which gives us an idea of what plantation life was like in the 17th and 18th centuries. You can also walk through the homes of former presidents James Monroe and James Madison, or enjoy a wine tasting tour at any – or several – of the local Charlottesville wineries.
Virginia’s capitol, Richmond, is your next one tank trip stop. While other routes are a bit more direct, this one will take you on a scenic cruise through the picturesque countryside that Virginia has to offer. Head north on the US-29 for 11 miles, then merge with the US-33-S for 50 miles and finally head south on the US-295 for the remaining 8 miles into Richmond. This is where past, present, and future collide; Richmond is a city that’s very proud of its history (dating back to our nation’s founding) and puts it on display every day with a historic district filled with famous buildings such as Agecroft Hall and the Branch House. While deeply rooted in our nation’s history, Richmond also has a thriving music and arts scene and a booming nightlife; it’s not all about the past, the present is alive and kicking!
Driving east on the I-64 for around 50 miles brings you into your next Virginia camping stop, Williamsburg. The history aficionado will be fascinated by a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, a historic region that’s made up of several edifices built in the late 17th and early 18th centuries that comprised Virginia’s first capitol city. This region also features scores of original, or meticulously reproduced, colonial-style homes and buildings, such as the old tavern where many historic meetings no doubt took place. The Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center are also nearby and provide a blend of living history re-enactments along with several exhibits and video presentations intended to paint a full picture of the events that helped shape our nation. These are well worth visiting, even for the most casual historian.
Your next stop of Urbanna awaits your arrival. Head east on the VA-33 for 16 miles, then north on the US-17 for 3 miles until you come to the VA-33-E, which takes you the rest of the way into Urbanna. Like the rest of Virginia, there’s an emphasis on historic matters, but an equal emphasis on the great pastime of fishing. Some of the best saltwater fishing on the Eastern Seaboard can be found right here; charter a boat going out onto the Chesapeake Bay and test your skill (and luck) with rod and reel. The word on the street is that there’s plenty of striped bass, trout, and mackerel to go around. Check the area’s website for the dates of the Annual Oyster Festival and get ready to chow down. While in Urbanna, be sure to investigate Greys Point, which is perfectly positioned to put you back in nature, while still being close enough to everything you might want or need.
Once you’ve experienced a Virginia one tank trip vacation, you’ll see what all the fuss is about and will want to make a return trip. See you there again next year!
Other Area Sponsors in Virginia: Cherrystone Family Camping Resort Holiday Trav-L-Park of Virginia Beach Aquia Pines Camp Resort Grey's Point Camp Bull Run Regional Park Burke Lake Park (Fairfax County Park Authority) Pohick Bay Regional Park Lake Fairfax Park (Fairfax County Park) Harrisonburg / Shenandoah Valley KOA Woodall's Recommended Virginia RV Campgrounds