Here in Virginia, camping is one of our all-time favorite activities. Whether that means pitching a tent in the woods, checking into a luxurious glampground in VA, or setting up with the whole crew in a family campground in VA, there’s truly no wrong way to spend a night under the stars. Speaking of stars, you may not have realized that Virginia is home to a couple of designated Dark Sky Parks: areas where there is so little light pollution that the night sky can be seen in all of its glory.

One designated Dark Sky Park is Staunton River State Park, a beautiful destination that offers unforgettable camping in Virginia and year-round cabin rentals.

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Have you ever seen the night sky from Staunton River State Park, an incredible Dark Sky Park in Virginia? What did you think? Would you like to camp under the stars? Same! Be sure to share your experiences with us in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! Before planning your trip to Staunton River State Park, be sure to visit the official Virginia State Parks website.

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Camp Under The Stars

  1. Where in Virginia can I camp under the stars? 

Virginia is an astonishingly beautiful state, and there are seemingly endless options when it comes to camping under the stars. You’ll never see so many stars as you do in the Virginia night sky, and some of the best places to camp under the stars in VA are places like:  

  • Spacious Skies Shenandoah Campgrounds – This private campground quite literally named itself after its beautiful, open skies that are perfect for falling asleep under.  
  • Shenandoah National Park – Okay, ALL of this incredible National Park counts. It is one of the most underrated gems in the US, we think, and it’s even MORE underrated if you consider the stargazing potential.  
  • The Staunton River – Riverside camping with a million stars overhead? We think yes.  

Learn more about Shenandoah National Park and plan your adventure ASAP.   

  1. What are some awesome dark sky parks in Virginia? 

Speaking of sleeping under the stars in Virginia, there are lots of places that are officially designated as “dark sky” places, so light pollution is nowhere nearby. Some of the best dark sky parks in Virginia are:  

  • James River State Park – Nothing like chilling by the river and watching a million stars twinkling above.  
  • Natural Bridge State Park – Yet another shining example of just how outrageously beautiful this state is, Natural Bridge State Park is full of natural wonders... above and below.  
  • Sky Meadows State Park – This park is literally named for its skies; it was one of the first astronomy-friendly parks in the state and it wears this badge proudly.  

Learn more about Staunton River State Park, which is also a dark sky park in VA.   

  1. What are some amazing campgrounds in Virginia? 

Dark skies aside, Virginia is the perfect place for anyone who loves camping to just come and tune out the chaos of the real world for a while. Some other noteworthy places to go camping in Virginia are places including:  

  • James River State Park offers primitive campsites, RV hookups, sites with electricity, and even cabins! Be sure to book in advance, this one goes fast.  
  • Natural Bridge State Park is home to the amazing Natural Bridge KOA, which is absolutely delightful. We love this one!  
  • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park – We call this one the “Disneyland of Campgrounds” for lots of reasons. Come see.  

Learn more about Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Virginia!   

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