Vacation Across Virginia with Jellystone Park™ Campgrounds
Thinking about a road trip for your summer vacation? Then think Virginia. Virginia offers the beauty of nature at its finest with the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains, the lovely Shenandoah National Park, and the many inviting beaches along its Atlantic Coast. It also offers a wealth of national historical sites and other attractions. With each step of your trip, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campgrounds in Virginia can be your home away from home. With four locations spread throughout Virginia, you are free to visit and explore the local area in and around each one.
Family Campground in Luray, Virginia
Start your trip at the Jellystone Park campground in Luray, VA. This campground features laser tag, paddle boats, mini golf, a large fishing pond, playgrounds, jumping pillows, swimming pools, a giant water slide, and more. Choose your favorite means of camping from primitive tent camping to RV camping to vacation rentals. In Luray you can visit the Luray Caverns and the Shenandoah National Park, or take a day trip to Mt. Vernon.
Explore the Natural Wonders of Luray, VA
Luray Caverns is the largest cave system in the Eastern US. The one hour tours guide you along lighted pathways into towering rooms beneath the Shenandoah Valley. Amazing natural features spark your sense of wonder as you view and explore the gigantic rooms with their stone curtains formed by rows of massive stalactites and towering pillars. The amazing stalacpipe organ in the Cathedral Room will amaze you with its beautiful melody produced by the soothing tones of the surrounding stalactites.
Head above ground to explore more of Shenandoah National Park while you are in Luray. With gorgeous overlooks perched high above the valley floor you will experience breathtaking vistas. The watchful visitor may even catch a glimpse of a black bear as it rambles throughout the forest continuing its tireless search for food, or deer as they frolic and play in open fields. The flora of the area is as impressive as the fauna. Coated in a lush blanket of green, splashes of color abound as wildflowers thrive in this paradise. There are over 500 miles of walking trails within the park. Choose the type of trail that suits your interest and your ability. These trails vary in length and difficulty. If you are up for it, choose the most challenging that will take you into the depths of the forest to experience raw untainted nature. After a busy day of exploration, return home to your Jellystone Park campsite for rest and relaxation!
Take a Day Trip to Nearby Virginia Attractions
While in Luray you may choose one of many day trips. A trip to Mt. Vernon, the home of our first President, George Washington, is about a two hour drive from the campgrounds in Luray. Tour the home, gardens, outbuildings, and grounds of one of our most beloved presidents. Overlook the Potomac River just as he did years ago. Learn more about the man and his life by hearing the stories told from period-dressed guides and performers. History unfolds in living color in this unforgettable place. It is well worth the drive.
Enjoy Family Camping at Natural Bridge, VA
From Luray, pull up your tent stakes and drop them at the Jellystone Park campground in Natural Bridge Station, VA. Among this campground’s amenities you will find a swimming lake with a beach, a separate fishing lake, canoeing and tubing on the adjoining James River, a game room, a playground, a swimming pool with dual waterslides, and more. Camping accommodations range from primitive tent camping to RV camping to vacation rentals. In Natural Bridge Station you can visit Natural Bridge (a historic national landmark), the Natural Bridge Caverns, the Natural Bridge Speedway, one of several museums, sightsee in historic Lexington, or take a day trip to Monticello.
Visit the Natural Bridge in Virginia
Natural Bridge Historic Landmark was created many years ago when the surrounding cave system collapsed leaving a deep valley and the enormous natural bridge behind. Natural Bridge can be enjoyed during the day or at night with the Drama of Creation. As darkness falls, a dazzling lightshow begins. Set to music, the colorful lights dance upon the rock and the mountain side bringing nature to life in a kaleidoscope of amazing color. Before or after visiting the bridge, head to Natural Bridge Caverns and descend 34 stories within the earth on your 45 minute tour. You will be in awe of the spectacular rock formations in naturally made spaces such as the Colossal Dome Room or the serene stillness of Mirror Lake.
Day Trips & Attractions near Natural Bridge, VA
The Natural Bridge Speedway calls to race fans everywhere to come out and enjoy the race. With five divisions including: late model, sportsman, street stock, pure stock, and all American there is something there for everyone. If you are looking for something a little less energetic, you can leisurely browse one of the many museums in and around Natural Bridge. The Natural Bridge Wax Museum features scenes and wax figurines from the history of Virginia and the US including the Revolutionary War and the Civil War; the 45 minute self-guided tour at The Natural Bridge Toy Museum offers a fun look at toys that date back as far as 1740; and Professor Cline’s Haunted Monster Museum gives those with a twisted sense of adventure something to get their heart pumping. After all the bustle of a busy day, retreat back to Jellystone Park campground to replenish for another day of activities.
If you are looking for a day trip while in Natural Bridge, try taking the 1.5 hour drive to Monticello, the historic home of President Thomas Jefferson in Charlottesville, VA. As you tour his home and hear the stories, you will find that he was so much more than just our third president. Among his many accomplishments, those he found most important were inscribed on his gravestone. His epitaph reads: HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA.
Next Stop – The Campgrounds in Emporia, Virginia
Roll up the awning of your RV again and head southeast to Emporia – the next stop in your park-hopping trip across Virginia. Jellystone Park campground in Emporia offers camping accommodations from primitive tent camping to deluxe RV sites with vacation rentals coming soon. At this park you will find a TV lounge, game room, playground, swimming pool, nightly movies, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and more. During your stay, explore the nearby areas of historic Petersburg and Pamplin Historical Park or take a day trip to historic Richmond, VA.
Experience the History around Emporia, VA
Historic Petersburg offers such national historical treasures as: Pamplin Park—an innovative Civil War history park featuring living history demonstrations, interactive learning stations, costumed period actors, extensive artifact collection, museums and antebellum homes to tour; Petersburg National Battlefield—the site of the longest American siege (10 months) and the catalyst of the fall of Richmond and the Confederacy; Blandford Church and Cemetery with graves dating from 1702. This is a great place for the history buff, both young and old. Have fun retelling the stories of the day around a campfire at Jellystone Park campground.
For a day trip, take the 1.5 hour drive to historic Richmond. Choose one of several museums, including: Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Edgar Allen Poe Museum, and The Museum of the Confederacy; or if you are ready for a change of pace and thrills are your thing, head to Paramount’s King’s Dominion. They boast 15 roller coasters, family and kid friendly rides, and an enormous water park with a tidal pool. The major attractions here are the roller coasters that go by the name of the Intimidator 305,the Dominator, and the Anaconda to name a few.
Camping in Gloucester, Virginia
From Emporia, head northeast to the Jellystone Park campground at Gloucester for your final campground stop in Virginia. They feature RV camping and cabin rentals and provide many activities to choose from such as: a swimming pool and kiddie pool, ceramics classes, chartered boat tours, fishing & crabbing piers, hayrides, kayak rentals, pedal cart rentals, and a playground. While in Gloucester, VA, be sure to visit Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown & Yorktown, or take a day trip to Virginia Beach.
Plan a Trip to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is for the thrill seeker. It features dozens of exciting rides including several roller coasters, family and kid friendly rides, animal attractions, entertaining shows, and exotic food from around the world. A two park pass will also get you into Water Country USA—Virginia’s largest waterpark. They feature a huge wave pool and more than 30 water rides and attractions, all of which make it the best way to beat the summertime heat!
Visit Colonial Cities near Our Virginia Campgrounds
Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestown, and Historic Yorktown each offer a vision into our nation’s Colonial and Revolutionary time period. The history buff can step back in time by experiencing historical reenactments, period dressed actors retelling America’s history from “personal” experience, historical exhibits and museums, entertaining shows, carriage rides, and 18th century taverns offering a variety of traditional cuisine of the time. Return to Jellystone Park at Gloucester Point after your busy day for a much deserved rest.
Head out on an Exciting Virginia Day Trip
For the day-tripper, Virginia Beach is a 1.5 hour drive southeast of Gloucester. The top attraction there is the sandy beaches on the beautiful Atlantic coast with tons of water activities to choose from including wave runner and kayak rentals, parasailing, boat tours, and whale/dolphin watching. Ocean Breeze Waterpark features a one million gallon wave pool and 16 water slides and offers excitement for all ages. Virginia Beach Amusement Park, a small scale amusement park, is located on the boardwalk and offers family fun out of the water. The three mile boardwalk at Virginia Beach is lined with restaurants, museums, video arcades and more. From June to Labor Day there are live concerts, puppet shows, jugglers, and musicians to be seen along the way.
Whatever your passion and interests are, you are sure to find them during your Jellystone Park family vacation in Virginia. Fun and magic await you so plan your adventure today!
