Camp Hosting in Virginia State Parks
Camp hosting in Virginia is exploring their nature, learning new outdoor and educational skills, and becoming a part of a community who values you. There are 23 parks in Virginia who participate in the volunteer services program.
Campground hosts are requested to volunteer for a minimum of 30 days but are limited to a maximum of 60 days. These length stay rules are per park. You may move to another park after volunteering at one.
This is a volunteer only position. In return for their volunteer hours, campground hosts will receive:
- Waived campsite fees during their volunteer post
- Free usage of park amenities and activities (sometimes it will be reduced rather than free), including boating, rentals, etc.
- Per 30 day assignment completed, campground hosts are eligible to receive 40,000 Virginia State Park loyalty points. Click https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/customer-loyalty.php to find out more about the loyalty point program.
Program Description
Virginia Campground hosts are responsible for:
- Greeting campers
- Being an information resource center for visitors
- Clean up trash and litter
- Light maintenance
- Clean camp sites and facilities after campers check out
- Park pass checks
- Coordination with park staff for emergencies, maintenance needs, etc.
- Be a model camper by setting examples
- Office and compute work
- Paint
- Help with small construction projects
- Conducting historical research
- Assist with educational programs
- Assist with any special projects when needed
How to Apply
In order to start the application process, you have to register and apply at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/camp-host-application.php
Hosts will be selected on a first come first serve basis. If you are a returning host, you will be given first preference.
Camp Hosting in Virginia State Parks
Bear Creek Lake State Park – Camp Host, Park Host. Located in Cumberland State Forest in central Virginia and less than an hour west of Richmond. Activities center on a 40-acre lake, which features a boat launch, fishing pier, boat rentals and swimming beach. Other offerings include an archery range, picnicking, bike rentals, playgrounds and hiking. Rental cabins. 53 campsites. One Camp Host and one Park Host position; March-November. 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water and electric hookups. Maximum RV length 35 feet.
804-492-4410
Belle Isle State Park – Camp Host. With 892 acres, seven miles of shoreline on the Northern Neck’s Rappahannock River, and access to Mulberry and Deep creeks, visitors can explore a wide variety of tidal wetlands interspersed with agricultural fields and upland forests. Belle Isle offers picnic shelters, hiking, biking and bridle trails, a motor boat launch, overnight lodging at the Bel Air Mansion and the Bel Air Guest House, bicycle, canoe and kayak rentals, guided canoe trips, an ADA-accessible car-top launch area, restrooms, a universal access playground, a handicap accessible boardwalk and fishing pier, and educational interpretive programs. Thirty campsites (water and 50-amp electric to all sites), one camp host (host site includes water, electric and sewer), with max length 55 feet; March – November, 30-day min. and 60-day max. Bathhouse with Laundromat.
804-462-5030
Chippokes Plantation State Park – Camp Host, Park Host. Near Surry, Va., Chippokes Plantation has been a working farm since 1619. The park has tours of its antebellum mansion and formal gardens; it hosts a museum of antique farm and forestry equipment. Other features include a swimming pool, visitor center, interpretive programs, playgrounds, hiking, biking, horseback riding and picnicking. Rental cottages. 33 campsites. One Camp Host and one Park Host; March-November. 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups for Camp Host, water and electric for Park Host. Maximum RV length 50 feet.
757-294-3728
Claytor Lake State Park – Camp Host, Cabin Host. Just off Interstate 81 near Dublin, Va., this Blue Ridge park is ideal for boating, swimming, hiking, picnicking and fishing. It has a marina and visitor center. Rental cabins. 103 campsites. Four camp host positions; March-November. 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 30-40 feet, depending on assignment. One cabin host position is available December through February, 30-day minimum and 60-day maximum.
540-643-2500
Douthat State Park – Camp Host. Douthat is in the Shenandoah region and listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in the development of parks nationwide. It is one of the six original CCC parks. Offerings include interpretive programs, a conference facility, stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a swimming beach, boat and bicycle rentals, a gift shop, a camp store, hiking and biking trails, and a restaurant. Rental cabins. 87 campsites, group camping. Three camp host positions April through October; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups at Whispering Pines campground; water and electric hookups at other two campsites. Maximum RV length is 50 feet.
540-862-8100
Fairy Stone State Park – Camp Host. Just minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and adjoining Philpott Reservoir, this park is home to the lucky fairy stones. Offerings include a 168-acre lake, conference center, hiking trails, lake swimming, boat rentals, picnicking and playgrounds. Cabin rentals. 57 campsites, group camping. One camp host position; March-November. 30-day min. and 60-day max. Camp Host is expected to perform restroom cleaning in campground bathhouse as part of duties. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 35 feet.
276-930-3927
First Landing State Park – Camp Host. Located on the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach, this park includes features lagoons, cypress trees and rare plants. Hiking, kayaking, picnicking, boat ramps and biking are available as is a swimming beach on the bay. 218 campsites, including group camping. Three camp host positions from May-October; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 40-45 feet, depending on assignment.
757-412-2333
Grayson Highlands State Park – Camp Host, Park Host, Retail Host. This park is near Mount Rogers and White Top Mountain, Virginia’s two highest peaks. Features include visitor center, hiking trails, horse trails, scenic vistas, wildlife viewing, elevations above 4,000 feet and a historic farm area. 165 campsites, including horse camping area and group camping. Five host positions: a regular camp host, a camp host for the equestrian campground, a park host and two retail park hosts, May-October. Water and electric for retail host positions; water, electric and sewer for camp hosts and park host. Maximum RV length 40-50 feet, depending on assignment.
276-579-7092
Holliday Lake State Park- Camp Host. Deep in the heart of the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, near historic Appomattox, Holliday Lake offers fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, equestrian trails, picnicking, interpretive programs, playgrounds and boat rentals. 36 campsites, one group camp and a bunkhouse. One camp host position, March – November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 40 feet.
434-248-6308
Hungry Mother State Park – Camp Host, Park Host. This park is a family favorite located in the mountains of southwestern Virginia. It is an original CCC parks and features a 108-acre lake, swimming beach, boat rentals, boat launch, fishing pier, visitor center, conference center, hiking, biking and restaurant. 118 campsites. One park host position and two camp host positions. A camp host and park host for Camp Burson and a camp host for the Creekside Campground, March-November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 35-45 feet, depending on assignment.
276-781-7400, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
James River State Park – Camp Host. In Buckingham County, the park is known for hiking, biking, boating and fishing. It features a visitor center, interpretive programs, picnic areas, 3 miles of shoreline along the historic James River, boat rentals, boat launches, a playground, multi-use trails, cabins for rent and 68 campsites including an equestrian campground and group camping. Green Hill Pond has a universally accessible boardwalk and fishing pier. Two camp host positions are available here from March through November; 30-day minimum and 60-day maximum. The Red Oak host site has water, electric and sewer hookups and accommodates RVs up to 40 feet long. The Horseshoe site has water and electric hookups and can handle RVs up to 50 feet long.
434-933-4355, email vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Kiptopeke State Park – Camp Host, Maintenance Host. Near Cape Charles on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, Kiptopeke offers access to the Chesapeake Bay. The park offers birding, swimming, a boat ramp, salt-water fishing, a lit fishing pier, picnicking, hiking and a playground. It has 149 campsites. Three host positions: a regular camp host March through November, another camp host May through September, and a maintenance host March through November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 50 feet.
757-331-2267, email vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Lake Anna State Park – Camp Host. The park features a swimming beach on one of Virginia’s most popular lakes, a fishing pond for children and people with disabilities, a bathhouse-concessions complex, boat launch facilities, pontoon boat rides, picnicking and boat rentals. With more than 13 miles of trails, the park allows for plenty of hiking, biking and horseback riding. Visitor center exhibits trace the history of gold mining in the area and highlight the park’s natural features. Nature programs and panning for gold are popular, and the park offers guided tours of the Goodwin Gold Mine site. 51 campsites, six camping cabins, one camp host position, March-November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, sewer and electric hookups. Maximum RV length 50 feet.
540-854-5503, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Camp host site at Natural Bridge State Park – Retail Host – non-camping. Once owned by Thomas Jefferson and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 215-foot tall Natural Bridge is a limestone gorge carved out by Cedar Creek. The park also has beautiful forests, open meadows showcasing the area’s karst terrain, and vistas of mountains and the valley. One retail host is needed each month, year-round for the visitor center, the contact station or both. The host will be provided on-site housing September through April but will have to provide his or her off-site housing May through August. No RV or camping facilities. A good opportunity for those who live local to this park or are looking for an alternative to camping.
540-291-1326, email vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Natural Tunnel State Park – Camp Host. The Natural Tunnel, near Duffield, Va., is an 850-foot long tunnel as high as a 10-story building and has been called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Trains still use the tunnel. The park features a swimming pool, picnic area, chair lift to the tunnel floor, visitor center, pioneer cabin, hiking, biking, canoeing, caving and conference center. 34 campsites, group camping. One camp host position, March-November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 50 feet.
276-940-2674, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Occoneechee State Park – Camp Host. This park is named for the Native Americans who lived on its land for hundreds of years. The park is on Buggs Island Lake. The park offers fishing, boating, a boat launch, picnicking, an amphitheater, a playground, boat and water ski rentals, hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. 88 campsites. Two camp host positions, March-November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 36 feet.
434-374-2210, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Pocahontas State Park – Camp Host, Park Host, Retail Host. Just 20 miles from Richmond, this park offers picnicking, fishing, hiking, biking, interpretive programs, an aqua center and boat rentals. One of Virginia’s original CCC parks, Pocahontas is home to one of America’s few CCC museums. Rental cabins. 129 campsites. Two camp host positions, one park host position, one retail host position January-December; 30-days min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups on camp host sites; water and electric on park host and retail host sites. Maximum RV length 40 feet.
804-796-4255, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Camp host site at Powhatan State Park – Camp Host. The park lies in picturesque Powhatan County beside the historic James River. It is home to diverse flora and fauna. The park offers picnicking, fishing, hiking, biking and educational programs. The Camp Host helps maintain the River Bend campground’s 29 sites and bathhouse. March-November, 30-day minimum, 60-day max. Water, electric 50-amp and 30-amp, and sewer hookups. Camp Host site length is 60 feet. Hours and duties vary per park needs. Camp Host must provide their own transportation between campground and office; golf cart or other vehicle is not provided.
804-598-7148, email vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Camp host site at Shenandoah River State Park – Camp Host. This 1604-acre park has 5.6 miles of river frontage along the south fork of the Shenandoah River. The park is popular with families, anglers, and canoeists. It offers picnicking, fishing, hiking, biking, horseback trails, and a car-top boat launch. Rental cabins. The park also has a primitive group site, 10 standard tent canoe-in or walk-in sites, and an RV campground with 33 electric and water sites. One camp host position, January – December, 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. Maximum RV length 60 feet.
540-622-6840, email vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park – Camp Host. Smith Mountain Lake in Bedford County is Virginia’s second largest freshwater lake; the park is a water enthusiast’s paradise. The park offers swimming, boat rentals, a boat ramp, a fishing pier, hiking trails, picnicking, a visitor center, an amphitheatre and special programs. There’s also a golf course nearby. Rental cabins. 50 campsites, 25 of which are primitive. One camp host position, March -October; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, electric and sewer hookups. 50 amp service. Maximum RV length 50 feet.
540-297-6066, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Animated River State Park- Camp Host. On the shoreline of Buggs Island Lake, this park is in south-central Virginia. It offers freshwater fishing, a large swimming pool, tennis and volleyball courts, a boat launch, picnic shelters, hiking and multi-use trails, and special programs. It’s one of Virginia’s six original CCC parks. Rental cabins. 48 campsites. One camp host position; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water and electric hookups. Maximum RV length 35 feet.
434-572-3694, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Twin Lakes State Park – Camp Host. This historic park is in the heart of central Virginia and offers swimming, fishing, boating, lakefront picnicking, hiking, biking and a conference center. Rental cabins. 33 campsites. One camp host position, March-November; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Camp Host is expected to perform bathroom cleaning in campground. Water, sewer and electric hookups. Maximum RV length 50 feet; 50-amp hookup available.
434-392-3435, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
Westmoreland State Park – Camp Host. Nestled on the Potomac River’s Northern Neck, this park’s facilities and activities include an Olympic size swimming pool, boat launch, visitor center, conference center, docking, fishing pier, boat rentals, trails and excellent bird watching. It’s one of Virginia’s six original CCC parks. Rental cabins. 133 campsites. Two camp host positions; 30-day min. and 60-day max. Water, sewer and 50-amp electric hookups for camp hosts. Maximum RV length is 38 feet.
804-493-0216, e-mail vspcamphost@dcr.virginia.gov.
