Santa Loves Camping

Note: not our actual campsite, just an AI generated header

Saturday, May 23, 2026 - Arrival Day at Westmoreland State Park: Our Virginia RV Camping Adventure Begins

Our week-long Virginia State Park adventure officially began at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, as we pulled out of the driveway and headed toward Westmoreland State Park in Montross, Virginia. This campground would serve as our base camp for a week of exploring some of Virginia's beautiful state parks.

The drive was smooth and scenic. We traveled east on Highway 58 and made our first stop at the Pilot Travel Center just outside South Boston, Virginia, to fuel up before continuing our journey. From there, we followed Route 360 toward Richmond, connected with I-95, then exited onto Route 207 and eventually Route 301. After crossing the scenic Rappahannock River, we turned onto Route 3, one of the primary routes serving Virginia's Northern Neck region.

We arrived at Westmoreland State Park around 3:30 p.m. and made our way to Campground B, Site 21. If you're researching Westmoreland State Park campsites, this site is definitely worth considering. It's a spacious pull-through site with plenty of room to maneuver and set up comfortably. The campsite provided an excellent home base for our week of RV camping in Virginia.

After setting up camp, we relaxed for about an hour and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings. The campground was quiet, and it felt great to finally settle in after the drive.

When dinner time rolled around, we discovered that the picnic table was still soaked from recent rains. Since we weren't interested in sitting on wet benches, we made the rare decision to eat inside the camper. Dinner consisted of Chicken Alfredo mixed with vegetables, along with red potatoes and cornbread on the side. My wife gave it her approval, and that's always a good sign!

Unfortunately, a county-wide burn ban was in effect during our visit, which meant no campfires. That's one of those things that occasionally happens when camping, and you simply adapt. To create a cozy atmosphere, I wrapped our ground lights around the fire ring. While it wasn't quite the same as a crackling campfire, it still provided a relaxing place to sit outside and enjoy the evening sky.

Of course, no camping trip feels complete without s'mores. Since campfires were off-limits, we pulled out our s'more maker that we picked up at a yard sale last year. The s'mores turned out surprisingly good, although I still believe nothing beats the flavor of a marshmallow roasted over a real campfire.

As darkness settled over the campground, we enjoyed the quiet evening and reflected on the adventures ahead. It was a great first day of camping at Westmoreland State Park and the perfect start to our week of exploring Virginia's state parks.

Sunday, May 24, 2026 - Worship and a Day of Rest and Relaxation

Sunday morning at Westmoreland State Park started early for us, since Sundays are our worship days while camping. By 8 a.m. we were enjoying a hearty camping breakfast of waffles, sausage, and fresh fruit before getting ready for church. After hot showers and a quick change, we drove into Montross, Virginia to attend morning worship at Word of God Baptist Church. The congregation was incredibly welcoming, the preaching was strong and Bible‑centered, and the traditional hymns were sung with genuine conviction — exactly the kind of small‑town church experience we love discovering on our camping trips.

Before the service began, we asked a friendly couple for local restaurant recommendations in Montross VA, and they suggested The Art of Coffee, a popular café known for having some of the best sandwiches in the area. Since we’re both coffee lovers, we headed there after church and enjoyed delicious lattes along with a BLT and a Beef‑and‑Cheese on sourdough. It was the perfect local lunch spot near Westmoreland State Park and a great way to wrap up our Sunday morning.

When we arrived at Westmoreland State Park, our first stop was the Visitor Center to look around and pick up a detailed trail map. Inside, we had the fun surprise of meeting two of the park’s resident snakes — Reba the corn snake and Stevie the king snake. They had just finished feeding time and were being placed back into their habitats, which made for a great up‑close wildlife moment.

Outside the Visitor Center, we stepped onto the overlook and enjoyed a beautiful — and slightly foggy — view of the Potomac River. Even with the mist, the river looked peaceful and scenic. Back indoors, we watched the turtles swimming and playing in their tank for a bit before heading back to our campsite to continue our day at Westmoreland State Park.

We decided to head out for a hike and chose the Rock Spring Pond Trail, which starts right next to our campground. The trail followed a quiet wooded road that led us to a peaceful pond surrounded by tall trees and wildlife. At the water’s edge, we found benches where we could sit, relax, and soak in the quiet beauty of the forest — a perfect spot for anyone looking for a calm, easy hike in Westmoreland State Park.

From Rock Spring Pond, we continued our adventure by connecting to the Laurel Point Trail, another beautiful hiking path inside Westmoreland State Park. This trail winds directly through the woods rather than along a road, giving us a more immersive forest experience. The path was clear, well‑marked, and easy to walk, making it a great option for anyone looking for a peaceful, beginner‑friendly hike surrounded by nature in Montross, VA.

When we reached the road, we crossed over and followed the Exercise Trail back toward our campsite. This trail was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and along the way you’ll find several pieces of outdoor exercise equipment designed to use your own body weight. It was fun stopping at a few of the stations to try them out — a unique twist that makes this one of the more interesting and interactive hiking trails in Westmoreland State Park.

Our first hike of the day totaled 2.19 miles and took us about 1 hour and 9 minutes to complete. All three trails we explored — Rock Spring Pond Trail, Laurel Point Trail, and the Exercise Trail — were clearly marked, easy to follow, and perfect for beginners, families. The terrain was gentle and not strenuous at all, making these some of the most accessible and enjoyable hiking trails at Westmoreland State Park.

Once we settled back in at our campsite, it was time for our home church in Danville to begin the evening worship service. We set up a combination of devices so we could stream the Facebook Live church service on our TV while listening through our headphones for clearer sound. It worked perfectly, and we were able to enjoy Pastor’s message from Psalm 25, part of the ongoing sermon series he has been preaching. It was a blessing to stay connected to our church family even while camping.

As I was cooking supper at our campsite, one of our neighbors came over and asked if she could get a picture with “Santa,” so of course I played along. The moment I put on the red coat and hat, the kids from the next campsite came running over for photos too. It turned into a fun little campground gathering. We really enjoyed meeting this particular family — they’re originally from Turkey and are now proud residents of our wonderful state — and it was one of those unexpected, heartwarming campground community moments that make camping so memorable.

After our visit with the neighbors, I headed back to finish cooking supper at our Westmoreland State Park campsite. On the menu was one of our favorite easy camping meals — thick‑sliced fried bologna sandwiches. I toasted the bread in the pan with a little mayonnaise, giving it that perfect golden crisp, and we paired the sandwiches with our favorite bagged chips. It was a simple, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying campfire‑style dinner that hit the spot after a full day of hiking and exploring.

Here are a couple of pictures of our camp kitchen setup at the campsite. One of our favorite pieces of gear is our homemade chuck box, which clamps securely to the end of the picnic table and holds about 90% of our cooking equipment. Next to it, we set up our new Coleman two‑burner stove on its expandable legs — a great space‑saving design that also gives us a convenient spot to hang our trash bag.

Speaking of trash, we always follow Leave No Trace principles. We use recyclable grocery bags for our trash and make sure to dispose of them daily. We never leave trash outside overnight, which helps protect wildlife and keeps the campground clean.

We’ve also stopped using disposable propane canisters for our stove. Instead, we switched to a 1‑gallon refillable propane tank, similar to a standard grill tank but smaller and much more eco‑friendly. It’s been a great upgrade for our camping kitchen and reduces waste on every trip.

Monday, May 25, 2026 - Caledon State Park

We were up early the next morning, hoping to beat the rain on our drive to Caledon State Park — you can read more about that adventure in the Caledon trip section. After we returned to Westmoreland State Park, we took a long nap and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing around our campsite. What made the day especially peaceful was the fact that most of the weekend campers had already packed up and left. Aside from a few scattered RVs, the campground felt almost empty, giving us a rare and quiet nearly private camping experience.

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - Leesylvania, Mason Neck and Widewater State Parks

We were up early again this morning, knowing it would be a full day — though we didn’t realize just how full. After a hearty camping breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and fresh fruit, we packed our lunch and headed out for a full day of exploring Virginia State Parks.

Our first stop was Leesylvania State Park in Woodbridge, VA, where we enjoyed lunch and hiked one of the scenic trails along the Potomac. From there, we continued north to Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, VA, spending the afternoon walking the trails and taking in the peaceful wetlands. Around 4 p.m., we started heading back toward our basecamp at Westmoreland State Park.

On the drive back, Amy spotted a sign for Widewater State Park. She asked if this was the park we planned to visit later in the week — and when I said yes, she suggested we go ahead and visit now to avoid another trip up I‑95. After a quick discussion, we agreed it was the best plan. I took the exit, and we made our way to Widewater State Park, where we completed another hiking trail before calling it a day.

On the way back to camp, we stopped at Food Lion for a few groceries, then returned to basecamp for a well‑earned supper of ribeye steak, baked red potatoes, and a tossed salad. After such a full and satisfying day, we wrapped up the evening and headed to bed.

Leesylvania

Mason Neck

Widewater

Wednesday, May 27, 2026 - George Washingtons Birthplace

This morning was all about recovery after our full day on Tuesday. We slept in and didn’t have breakfast until 9 a.m., enjoying a slower start before heading out. Our main stop for the day was the George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Popes Creek, Virginia — a completely unplanned visit that turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. We had several memorable encounters, including getting caught in a surprise thunderstorm and meeting a woman originally from Danville who now lives in Fredericksburg and works at the Visitor Center.

After exploring the historic grounds, we stopped by the Museum in Montross, VA, which is full of unique memorabilia and fascinating local history — and best of all, admission is free. On the way back to camp, we stopped for gas, and I was mistaken for David Letterman, which gave all of us a good laugh.

Back at our Westmoreland State Park campsite, we cooked a delicious supper of salmon, pan‑fried squash and zucchini, garlic muffins, and potatoes. Later that evening, while we were watching a movie, the power suddenly went out — we heard a transformer blow, and the campground stayed dark all night. Thankfully, we had some of our primitive camping gear with us, and since the weather was cool, we slept with the windows open and a fan running. It turned out to be a peaceful, comfortable night despite the outage.

George Washingtons Birthplace

Supper

No Power

Thursday, May 28, 2026 - Belle Isle State Park

We woke up this morning to find the power was still out — and that meant no way to make our much‑needed morning coffee. As two devoted coffee lovers, that first cup is something we always look forward to. After breakfast and a bit of cleanup around the campsite, we headed out to Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster, VA. We hiked a couple of peaceful trails, enjoyed the quiet scenery, and had a picnic lunch before making our way back.

On the drive toward camp, we made an essential stop at The Art of Coffee in Montross, VA for our first real coffee fix of the day. We each ordered our favorite lattes, along with pound cake and baklava — the perfect mid‑day treat and a much‑needed pick‑me‑up.

Back at Westmoreland State Park, we spent the rest of the evening relaxing and especially enjoyed a sweet video call with the grandkids. It was the perfect ending to a simple, restorative day.

Friday, May 29, 2026 - Westmoreland State Park

Today we let ourselves sleep in after a great night’s rest and enjoyed a slow, easy morning at Westmoreland State Park. I made us a super‑stacked BLT sandwich, and Amy said it tasted like something straight out of a restaurant. After cleaning up the dishes, we got dressed and headed out for one of our favorite spots in the park — Fossil Beach.

To reach the beach, you hike a ¾‑mile trail, and when the shoreline finally comes into view, it absolutely takes your breath away. The beach sits between two dramatic cliffs, with driftwood scattered across the sand and visitors of all ages sifting for shark teeth. It’s one of the most unique and scenic places in the park.

On our way back, we stopped by the Visitor Center again and then made our final stop at the Discovery Center, where we had a great conversation with the ranger about the local wildlife and plant life in the area.

Back at camp, we spent the afternoon relaxing — reading, painting, and enjoying the quiet. When evening arrived, the campfire ban was finally lifted, and we were able to enjoy our first campfire of the week. That first gooey, golden campfire s’more was absolutely worth the wait. After dark, we started prepping for our Saturday travel day, even though it made us a little sad to think about saying goodbye to such a beautiful place.

Westmoreland State Park Review

Westmoreland State Park is one of our favorite campgrounds in Virginia. We stayed in Campground B, where every site offers both water and 50/30 AMP electrical service. The entrance road is smooth and easy to travel, and the park signage makes navigation simple. All the campsites we observed were spacious and accessible, with no low‑hanging branches to worry about. Our own site was perfectly level, and most others appeared the same.

The park staff deserves credit for keeping the bath facilities clean and well‑stocked, and there’s plenty of room between sites for privacy. Campground B is a fairly open area with limited foliage, but that makes it easy to maneuver larger RVs. We use AT&T, and had solid phone coverage throughout our stay — even when using the phone as a hotspot for the laptop.

Convenience is another plus: we were less than 30 minutes from two Food Lion grocery stores, and there’s a gas station right at the corner of the park road and the highway. Altogether, Westmoreland State Park Campground B offers a comfortable, well‑maintained, and easily accessible camping experience that will invite us back.