James River State Park

Check-in is at 4 p.m.; check-out is at 1 p.m. If you arrive earlier than 4 p.m., the park will accommodate you as soon as possible. You are welcome to enjoy the park until then.

Campers without a reservation (i.e., walk-ins) should ensure a site is available before submitting payment at the pay station. Visit the contact station or park office to reserve additional nights to ensure availability.

Note: You must have your reservation number(s) or confirmation letter with you at check-in. If someone else is checking in for you, make sure that person has reservation information. Be prepared to show a valid ID.

Branch Pond - Seven primitive sites in a wooded area about two miles from the river. Tents only - parking at the campsite. Each site has a tent pad. No electricity or water. Limited anchoring ability for hammocks.

Canoe Landing - Ten primitive sites with river access. Tents only - parking at the campsite. These sites are to the left of the canoe launch when facing the river. No tent pads, electricity or water. Rooftop tent friendly. Limited anchoring ability for hammocks.

Walnut Grove – Five primitive sites, shaded. Short walk to the river. Tents only - parking at the campsite. No tent pads, electricity or water. Rooftop tent friendly. Limited anchoring ability for hammocks.

Canoe Landing Group Campsite – One primitive site, shaded. Short walk to the river. The site accommodates up to 42 people. Tents only, parking at the campsite. No tent pads, electricity or water. It's near a restroom and features a fire ring with a flip grill, picnic tables and a pedestal grill. There's a $30 fee for canceling a group-camping reservation.

Red Oak Campground (30 sites)

Electric and water hookups; the sites are shaded and can accommodate various equipment (tents, pop-ups and RVs) up to 40 feet. The sites have large tent pads and wide driveways for bump-outs.

• All sites have electric pedestals, which have 20-, 30- and 50-AMP outlets.
• Campsites have fire ring grills, one picnic table and a lantern hanger.
• Full-service bathhouse with hot showers and a wash sink for dishes; the bathhouse has four unisex showers, one of which is wheelchair-accessible.
• Coin laundry facility, two washers and two dryers.
• Showers are for campers only.
• All equipment must be set up within site borders. Tent pads are about 15 by 24 feet.
• Two vehicles are allowed per campsite. A parking fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must park in designated areas. Guests visiting campers must pay a daily parking fee, park in designated areas and leave by 10 p.m.
• The dump station is free for overnight camping guests; non-overnight guests must pay a small fee to use the dump station.
• The boat launches are free for overnight guests.
• Firewood can be bought at the self-pay stations located in the cabin loop, the Visitor Center or the Contact Station.
• Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet when outside, and keep pets inside at night.

Horseshoe Campground (9 sites)

Electric and water hookups; the sites are pull-through and allow two trailers to share a common area between them. There are 20 covered horse stalls and five tent pads.

• Campsites have a fire-ring grill, one picnic table and a lantern hanger.
• Full-service bathhouse with hot showers. The bathhouse has four unisex showers, one of which is wheelchair accessible.
• Showers are for campers only.
• All equipment must be set up within site borders. Two vehicles are allowed per campsite. A fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must be parked in designated areas. Guests visiting campers must leave by 10 p.m.
• The dump station is free for overnight camping guests; non-campers must pay a small fee to use it.
• A boat launch is free for overnight guests.
• Groups with numbers greater than that typically allowed here must apply for a special use permit at least three weeks before their stay.
• Horses must be kept in a stall.
• Bedding for stalls is not provided. The park sells pine shaving bedding at the contact station and visitor center. Rakes and wheelbarrows are available.
• State law requires that visitors carry a copy of a current negative Coggins report with each horse brought to the park.

Total sites of each type: Red Oak Campground, 30; Canoe Landing Primitive Campground, 10; Branch Pond Primitive Campground, 7; Walnut Grove Primitive Campground, 5; Primitive Group Campsite, 1; Horseshoe Equestrian Campground, 9.

A contact station is open Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day when the weather is suitable. Otherwise, pay-station parking and camping are strictly enforced.

• Check-in is at 4 p.m. Check-out is at 10 a.m.
• No linens are provided. Guests must bring all linens: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, bath mats, dish towels, cloths and pot holders.
• No smoking.
• Amenities: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, can opener, clock radio
• Consider bringing dish detergent, paper towels, coffee filters, coffee, salt and pepper, nonstick cooking spray, toiletries, bath towels, flashlights, board games, cards and camp chairs.
• No dishwasher, phone or TV. There's a coin laundry in the Red Oak Campground, open from March 1 through the first Monday in December.
• Wood-burning fireplace.
• The park provides one bundle of firewood. Additional firewood can be bought at the self-pay stations located in the cabin loop, the Visitor Center, or the Contact Station.
• Picnic tables and fire rings for cabin guests are available in the cabin area.
• Mission-style furniture.
• Living area: dining table, chairs
• Bedrooms: bed(s), nightstands, dresser, closet with hangers, clock radio
• Heated and air-conditioned with heat pumps
• Boat launching is free to overnight guests. There are no designated swimming areas.
• Wrap-around deck; open porch with rocking chairs and end tables
• Cabins 11 and 18 are wheelchair accessible. Cabin 18 has one queen bed, a set of bunk beds and a couch with a pull-out bed in the living area.
• Two vehicles are allowed per two-bedroom cabin, and three vehicles are allowed per three-bedroom cabin. A daily parking fee is charged for all other vehicles, which must be parked in the designated overflow parking area.
• Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m. Only overnight guests are allowed in the park after 10 p.m.
• The park has no water-view cabins per se.

Cabin Types

2-bedroom frame cabin - maximum six people, one bath, one queen bed, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four)

3-bedroom frame cabin - maximum eight people, two baths, one queen bed, two single beds in the second bedroom, two sets of bunk beds (sleeps four) in the third bedroom

6-bedroom lodge – maximum 16 people, three baths, universally accessible, two queen-size beds in two bedrooms, two single beds in two bedrooms, two sets of bunk beds each in two bedrooms (sleeps four in each room)

Total of each cabin type: 2-bedroom frame, 14; 3-bedroom frame, 2; 6-bedroom lodge, 2

Lodges

Between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, lodges are rented for a six-night minimum. Rentals for Lodge 5 start on Saturday, and rentals for Lodge 16 start on Sunday. The six-night requirement is reduced to a required four-night stay within three months of arrival and further reduced to two nights within the last month of arrival. A two-night minimum stay is required the rest of the year.

• Maximum occupancy: 16 (no bed rentals)
• Check-in is at 4 p.m. Check-out is at10 a.m.
• No smoking
• Amenities: Refrigerator, stove, coffeemaker, dishes, silverware, cooking utensils, pots, pans, microwave oven, toaster, can opener, clock radio, washer, dryer
• Consider bringing paper towels, coffee filters, cooking spray, salt and pepper, toiletries, flashlights, board games, cards and camp chairs.
• No dishwasher, phone or TV.
• Fireplace with gas logs.
• Picnic tables and fire rings available for cabin guests in the cabin area.
• Mission-style furniture.
• Living area has a dining table, chairs and couches.
• Two bedrooms have queen-size beds
• Two bedrooms each have two single beds
• Two bedrooms each have two sets of bunk beds (four people per room)
• Heated and air-conditioned with a heat pump
• Washer and dryer
• Maximum six cars; a daily parking fee is charged for additional vehicles, which must be parked in the designated overflow parking area.
• Deck has an open porch with rocking chairs and end tables.
• Lodges are wheelchair accessible.
• Quiet hours begin at 10 p.m.; only overnight guests are permitted in the park after that time.
• The park has no water-view cabins.