Skip to main content

Fredericksburg Parent & Family

FXBG Fall Camping and Glamping – Get Back to the Basics!

Oct 10, 2022 04:00AM ● By Rhiannon Ellis

The days are getting shorter and the nights cooler. Fall is on the way! After a couple months of hiding from the incessant summer heat (and bugs!), many families are looking for ways to spend some quality time together in the great outdoors before winter chases us back inside.

One tried-and-true family bonding experience ideal for this time of year is camping. Not only is camping an excellent memory-making avenue, but it is also an opportunity to teach kids survival skills and important life lessons on self-reliance.

Our digital age is exciting, and there’s a ton of value in what our children learn from their video games, devices and even their favorite YouTubers. But unplugging and getting back to the basics is still important—maybe even more so for this ever-connected generation and for parents who crave their children’s undivided attention.

Now that kids are back in school, long trips aren’t always feasible. Fortunately, there are several camping options in and around Fredericksburg for a fun weekend getaway. Staying close to home also enables you to test the camping waters before committing to a more elaborate outdoor adventure.

Here are a few local options to get you on your way!

Lake Anna State Park

Situated on beautiful Lake Anna just 20 miles outside of Fredericksburg, Lake Anna State Park has options for every style of camper or glamper. Reservations for cabins, lodges, yurts (tent/cabin hybrid) and traditional tent sites can be made online through their user-friendly reservation system or by calling 1-800-933-PARK. Most campsites are available year-round; tent sites are available March-December. Check the -description at the time of booking as some rentals include a grill, picnic table and/or fire ring, and some do not.

This campground is full of things to do, so if you’re looking for the kind of place where you can set up camp and stay-put, this is the spot. Some of their activities include:

  • Hiking and biking trails
  • Boating and fishing
  • Gold mining and nature programs
  • Swimming
  • Bridle trails
Lake Anna State Park does not offer equipment rentals, but access to the boat ramp is free for overnight guests.

R&D Family Campground

“Country enough to be a welcome break from urban life, but close enough to enjoy a weekend away,” R&D Family Campground is a quaint, wooded campground with several amenities and reasonable rates. Traditional tent sites, cabins and trailers are available to rent on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.

R&D has compiled an extensive list of parks, lakes and other area attractions on their website. There are a dozen lakes and ponds within five miles of the campground, and Kings Dominion is just a short 20-minute drive away.

Notable amenities include:

  • Swimming pool
  • On-site laundry facilities
  • On-site store
  • Lounge with television and books
Reservations can be made by calling 804-633-9515 or via email at [email protected].

Algonkian Regional Park

A little further up the road but worth the trek is Algonkian Regional Park. If you want to experience the Great Outdoors in style, then Algonkian’s Potomac riverfront cabins are for you. Glampers—check out the four-bedroom deluxe with jacuzzi!

Many of the amenities resemble what other campgrounds and parks offer—trails, fishing, boating, etc. However, one stand-out feature of Algonkian is Volcano Island Waterpark, which includes waterslides, swimming pool, and splashpad. Admission is $8.50 for kids and $10.50 for adults (holiday rates are slightly higher).

Book a tee time while you’re there at Algonkian Golf Course—an 18-hole course along the Potomac that is “perfect for the serious golfer but forgiving enough for the occasional player.” Download their app to book tee times, keep score, get hole descriptions, and more!

Reserve a tent site or cabin online. Gift certificates are also available through their online booking system.

Wilderness Presidential Resort

For families that can’t decide between camping and a resort-style vacation, Wilderness Presidential Resort offers the best of both worlds. Tent sites and budget-friendly cabins are available in addition to their Lakeside Camp Cabins and Presidential Log Cabins.

One of the main attractions of the camping resort is the plethora of activities they offer. To name a few:

  • Escape Room
  • Rock wall-climbing
  • 3 swimming pools
  • Ropes course
  • Mini golf
  • Marina and beach with kayak, Jon boat, aqua cycle, SUP and paddle boat rentals
  • Gem mining
  • Tennis Courts
Reserve your spot online or by calling (540) 972-7433.
Features October 2022
Get Our Newsletters
* indicates required
FredParent eletters
Digital Issue
From Our Partners
Upcoming Events Near You