roadtripper2266952

Campground closes with a gate at sunset. We arrived before dark but after sunset on July 5th hoping to get a walk-up site and found campground was gated. A park volunteer gave us the on-call ranger's phone number. When he answered he informed us he had no idea if there was any camping available that night because they were closed.

I gave this campground two stars only because I had to rate it with something to leave a review.

I just wanted others to know there isn't after-hours self registration or availability here. We had a long travel day that didn't go our way and had intended to arrive earlier. Don't want others to have a similar experience.

Our in-state resident overnight rate was $35 + $5 reservation fee+ taxes. Out of state cost might be higher.

There are two campground loops. Laurel Ridge Campground is newer, with a new bathhouse and long, level, large private sites. There are only 7 sites in this loop and one may be taken by the camp host. The length limit is 40' per the website and these sites can easily accommodate that length and probably longer.

Redbud Campground is an older loop. There are more sites here. Most are unlevel and much smaller. These sites are best suited for tents and very small RVs. The exceptions would be sites 18, 19, and 20. These 3 sites are pull through and could accommodate an average size camper. They are not particularly level and are not private.

Some sites in 2021 are site specific for reservation and some you pick a site when you arrive. We were told and saw signs that in 2022 all sites will be site specific for reservation.

There is a shooting range in the area and we heard pops of gunfire all day during our stay on Saturday. (The state park is near a 4H Camp and State Forest.)

There is no cell service in the park.

Hiking trails were nice. The park has canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals for the lake. There is a swim beach, snack bar and picnic area that had a lot of day-use on Saturday.

As another reviewer mentioned the park is an easy drive to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park (where Robert E Lee surrendered to General Grant). Even though we are not huge history or Civil War buffs this was well worth the visit.

We would visit again for a short get-away to unplug and disconnect from phones.

We camped for 3 nights in an electric/water site. Our site was narrow and a little difficult to get our camper level in as were most of the sites near us. The campground has an older feel compared to many other Virginia state park campgrounds where more more "groomed" and actually that is one of the charms of this campground. It feels like camping and not as much "glamping."

The state park is at about 5,000 feet above sea level which makes temperatures lower than in lower elevations. We camped for 3 days in daytime temps in the 40s-50s and basically inside a cloud in mid-June. So bring layers of warm clothes and rain gear. The higher elevation also brings with it twisty, winding, steep roads to get to the park. This is not a park to visit if your tow vehicle struggles up or down steep grades.

Hiking is a main activity in the park. The Appalachian Trail runs through the park and is accessible by a spur trail. There are also feral wild ponies which we had a fun hiking to find.

Damascus, Va is a cute town about a half hour away. The Virginia Creeper bike trail runs through it which my husband road the 34 miles.

We have x-finity cell service which claims to use Verizon towers. We had 1 bar at the campsite and I received a couple text messages but could not send any during our stay. We did randomly pick up to 3 bars of service in the park. The first overlook in the park did hold 3 bars of cell service. The bathhouse had a phone that was labeled for emergency calls to park service and/or 911.

We arrived at 8:30 on a Friday night and were able to get a first come site. This campground is run by the National Park service and rangers were helpful and friendly while suggesting available sites we could set up at after dark. The nightly fee is $15 (after the $20 park entrance fee if you don't have an annual National Park pass.) Restrooms have flush toilets/bathroom sinks and dish washing sink. Drinking water is located near restrooms. Garbage and recycling is available in the campground. A dump station is located just before the campground entrance. Sites consist of a paved parking pad, fire ring with cooking grill, and picnic table. Some walk in tent sites have bear boxes for food storage. No other services or amenities at individual sites. A concession vendor runs a camp store and coin operated showers nearby ($1 for 5 min shower.)

We camped in site 127, F loop which is a non-generator loop. Some loops do allow generators. There are some fantastic sites and some lousy ones. Sites are close together but there is a lot of thick vegetation between them making most feel very private. Site 127 was very private and shady. Next to us, Site 129 was more open and would be better for someone using solar panels. We didn't see any sites that were very level and some sites looked almost impossible to get level (this is located on a mountain.)

I turned off my phone and had an unplugged weekend, so I'm uncertain of cell service. I did see folks on their phones at the camp store.

We loved this park and will return to it again. We gave it 4 stars rather than 5 only because some sites would be very difficult to get level in and some pads are too short for even medium size rigs.

This is a typical National Park campground. The kind run by the park and not necessarily outsourced to concessions. An actual Park Ranger checked us into site 36 when we arrived a day early of our reservations. The following day we moved to site 37 into our reservation. Campground has two restrooms with flush toilets and a sink outside to wash dishes. Recycling was available onsite. A bear box, picnic table, and fire ring is provided at each spot. We were cautioned by the ranger to use the bear box because a mamma Black bear and her two cubs have been breaking into cars. There was car glass on the ground at site 37. We never saw the bears.

The park offers a shuttle from just outside the campground up to the Giant forest which is located up in higher elevations. There is also a vehicle length restriction of 22 feet between Potwisha campground and the Giant forest due to the curves and narrow road. We drove up to the Giant Forest and then used the shuttle to get around to the different areas. We also paid extra and took a tour of the Crystal Cave. Tickets for this are sold at the visitor centers and was worthwhile.

Seeing the Sequoia trees was amazing. But my kids' favorite memory was swimming and sliding down natural smooth rocks in the river near the campground. From the campground cross Generals Hwy to the large gravel parking lot. Go to the river and follow the trail on the left until you reach the bridge. The sandy spot below the bridge is it! Fun!

I would hesitate to camp here again during the summer. This campground is in the foothills and the temps during the day climbed to 102 degrees. We had to place our cooler into the bear box where it baked all day. We made daily trips back into Three Rivers for ice. It did cool down enough at night to sleep, but over our 3 days there were 3 different loud groups up late into the night. Flies and yellow jackets made cooking and eating outside miserable. With the reported bear activity I was concerned about having any food inside a pop-up tent camper. We had another night reserved but left early.

In the summer I would stay at a private RV park in Three Rivers with electricity for AC. Or I would camp in the park at a higher elevation. I would try Potwisha campground during the spring or fall before the temps got so hot.

This RV park is like the pictures show. A gravel lot with a few small trees. It also has a playground, pool, bath house, laundry, and a camp store. A typical KOA along the interstate.

We arrived in the evening and had enough time to set up and let the kids run off energy on the playground for 10 minuets before a large thunderstorm hit. Gravel lot or not, we were thankful to be off the interstate and set up.

They offer a pancake/sausage breakfast onsite. We took advantage of that in an attempt to get the kids moving quickly before heading to Petrified Forest National Park. (The National Park doesn't offer camping.)

We would stay there again for a one night stop.

This is an excellently maintained state park. Restroom was new. Bathhouse and laundry area were clean. My husband and daughter attended a couple ranger lead programs and enjoyed the visitor center. Unfortunately, our 9 year old had a rough time with altitude sickness as we had made a quick trip across the Midwest from Virginia and straight up the mountain. We weren't able to do the hiking we had planned. This park is a steep but easy drive from Colorado Springs, The Garden of the Gods, and Pikes Peak. I would love to return one day.

Road from Colorado Springs to the park is a bit steep.

Chose this RV park for two reasons. Electricity for AC and it's close to the Hoover Dam. We stayed in July 2014 in our pop-up tent camper. We were surrounded by Class A RVs and 5th Wheels which was fine with us. Campground is a gravel and paved lot with pull through sites. Restroom and showers were very clean. I can't recall how much we paid for the night but I think we got a small AAA discount.

We were allowed to leave our camper on site past check-out in order to go visit Hoover Dam without. That was very nice of the owners. Hoover Dam has some Homeland Security procedures and having a propane tank would have been a hassle.

I would stay at this campground again for a one night stay.