Pocahontas State Park is the largest state park in Virginia, 7625 acres, that includes an 150 acres of Swift Creek Lake and the 150 acres of Beaver Lake.
You can have a day visit or camp like we did. The camping fee is $20 (+tax) per night. The price includes swimming in the new Aqua Center and boat launch. Although we camped at a tent site we had access to electricity and water. The campground had a picnic table, lantern holder and a open fire place with grill. There was firewood available for $3 a bunch. (Honor system: get the wood, put cash in a box.) The restrooms and showers were located centrally and we didn't have to pay extra to take a shower. At the entrance to the park there was a small store where you can buy small drinks and ice cream. We also bought supplies from a Food Lion grocery store, which is less than two miles away.
Beaver Lake was popular with people who like fishing. When we were there, we saw a young kid catch a big fish. I tried in the evening, but was not successful. We were hoping to eat some fish for supper. (You need a Virginia fishing license and you can buy the bait at a tackle shop in a nearby town.) Beaver Lake was covered with lilies in July that provided one of the best scenes in the park. Swift Creek Lake is much bigger in size and you can rent canoes, rowboats or paddleboats. We rented a canoe and explored the lake.
The highlight of our camping was the special interpretative program, Moonlight Canoeing, which was organized by the rangers. We set out canoeing in the Swift Creek Lake near dusk, while bats flied over our heads and followed the rangers who gave us information on beavers and the dams they build. On our way to the beach where a campfire awaited us rangers showed us various types of dams the beavers built. We cooked hotdogs and s'mores on the campfire and listened and joined the singers who sang campfire songs. We left our canoes on the beach and took a hayride back. It was nice clear night and the moon seemed big and orange. (Only, the exhaust of the tractor wagon was not high enough and we had breath in the fumes.) This interpretative event was $10 per person.
For camping you can make a reservation by phone (804) 796-4255 or internet The internet reservation has a $3 service fee.