Watermelon Park: Camping and Fishing in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley

Tracey Byrd's "Watermelon Crawl" is a famous country song from the 1990's, that described a dance associated with a day of drinking in Georgia. While the Commonwealth of Virginia has similar steamy summers and politics, it is known for its Watermelon Park and Festival in the town of Berryville. Located next to the river banks of the Shenandoah, and in close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains, this park offers families a nice place to relax. Whether you are interested in a day trip or night of camping, it offers a lot of recreational activities. This park is open from Spring to Fall, and if you are visiting this area, be sure to spend some time here.

I recently had the good fortune of spending a weekend here, and it was a great vacation from work and normal home life. It is a bit off the beaten path, as the curvy roads leading to here can be a bit of a challenge, but it is well worth it. Upon entering the gate area, you will be issued an armband that designates whether you are spending a day or camping at this facility. This gate is open from 6 am - 11pm daily, and is manned by friendly park employees, who will take your money($10 per person per day) and provide good advice to fishing spots on the river. After checking in, you can drive your vehicles into the park, and set up your camping equipment.

The camping area is a huge field, and trees surround the borders on the river and service road. The river spots are the best for offering shade, but be sure to arrive early, as they are sure to be occupied during peak season periods. There is room for hundreds of campers, so you do not need to worry about their lack of a reservation policy. Camping next to the road can be noisy due to it being a fairly busy intersection, and while the ground is flat, be sure to bring your own table and fire ring. There are only a few of these on the premises, and if you want an electrical site, it will cost an additional $10.