Twin Lakes State Park
Located in the Piedmont region in the heart of Virginia, Twin Lakes State Park offers year-round recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Best of all, its pet-friendly campground is a pawesome spot to go camping with your canine pal.
Encompassing 548 acres, this pretty park is named for 36-acre Prince Edward Lake and 15-acre Goodwin Lake, which sit within its grounds. As you'd expect, much of the activity in Twin Lakes State Park centers on, in, and around these two bodies of water. Both lakes offer excellent fishing, allowing anglers to target sunfish, largemouth bass, crappie, and channel catfish.
Boating is allowed on both lakes and each has its own public boat launch. Rowboats and canoes are available for rent year-round, while paddleboards and paddleboats can also be hired during summer.
When the mercury rises, guarded beach swimming is available for a fee. When guarded swimming is unavailable (if you visit after Labor Day or before the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend), you can swim at the beach’s designated swimming area at your own risk.
Away from the water, six miles of hiking trails wind their way through the park's hardwood forests and offer lovely water views. Further afield, hikers, bikers and horse riders can find an eight-mile multi-use trail in nearby Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest.
The Twin Lakes State Park campground features electric sites and a number of cabins. Pets are welcome to join you, but please note that if you're staying in a cabin with your dog, a $10 nightly fee applies per pet. Parking fees for the park start at $5 per day.
You'll also need to stick to designated dog-friendly areas, keep your pooch leashed and under control at all times, and clean up after your dog whenever necessary.
There's a whole lot to see and do in Twin Lakes State Park, and much of it can be enjoyed with your dog by your side. If you're searching for a pet-friendly camping destination in central Virginia, this pretty little spot is well worth checking out.
