Heavenly Acres Campground - Virginia Travel Review

Heavenly Acres Campground, a privately owned family campground, is located at in Greene County at 2010 Madison Road, Stanardsville, Virginia, 22973. Nestled at the foot of the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Heavenly Acres is a family-based campground and is easily accessible. This campground offers 80 acres of Virginia woods, abundant with a wide variety of wildlife and native Virginia birds, and plenty of fresh mountain air.

The beautiful Skyline Drive is only fifteen minutes away along with the Shenandoah National Park, Jefferson's Monticello, first-rate museums, numerous antique stores, galleries, vineyards, caverns, historical sites, battlefields, shops and restaurants. Many nearby areas feature access for kayaking and rafting. It is simple to find something new to do every day. You can hike along the Appalachian Trail, visit museums, or tour a local winery. You may want to visit the Historic Court Square, or the 224+ year-old Michie Tavern built ca 1784. At night, you can relax in your favorite camping chair and take pleasure in the starry skies, the smell of good food cooking, the conversations of family and friends, and the cracking sound of many campfires.

Having camped at this campground on numerous occasions, we find it an exceptionally charming and relaxing place to be with a very homey feel. My husband enjoys fishing in the fishing pond and local streams. The kids are frequently playing volleyball with other campers. We often have hotdog roasts over our very own campfire and toast marshmallows while telling ghost stories.

All the campers we have met are friendly and many are regular campers. Geneva Walsh, of Manchester, Maryland told me, "I find Heavenly Acres Campground to be camper friendly, relaxing and very peaceful. We come down here several times a year and the staff is always very friendly and helpful." Another camper, Sharlet Conrad, from Gettysburg, PA said, "Since we have a large 5th wheel camper, it's great that Heavenly Acres campgrounds have nice, big secluded lots with all the hookups we need. There is plenty of privacy, too. We love seeing all the wildlife and the staff is wonderful."

Heavenly Acres Campground has hosted the Blue Ridge Beltane Festival, an eclectic community and other events such as the GoldWing Adventure Weekend. Groups involved in special activities are welcome at any time with arrangements made in advance.

Camping

Camping includes several options. Tent sites are wooded and generous. They can accommodate RVs easily with pull-through sites. There are three camping cabins available for rental. For group camping, the campground boasts a large separate meadow area. The three beautifully remodeled railroad caboose cabins are one of the nicest attractions for this campground.

All the sites are generous and the hospitality of the owners, Gary and Jan Schneider, is contagious. Gary and his wife Jan, are the original owners and developers of Heavenly Acres Campground. Gary Schneider is one of the most enthusiastic managers I have ever met and is more than willing to help you set up or find a solution to any problem that may develop. Jan Schneider, often found in the camp store, loves to meet people and is excited to explain about all the activities they offer.

Amenities include a well-stocked camp store with food, snacks, drinks, ice and firewood. A game room with a pool table, foosball and arcade games is part of the store. The restrooms are large and clean with hot showers and, during the winter months, they are heated.

Activities include a playground for the kids, horseback riding, a basketball and volley ball court. Miles of trails are available for hiking and for riding mountain bikes and the campground is near other areas with a wide range of outdoor activities. There are winding creeks and a fishing pond for the anglers who camp. A large swimming pool is open during the summer months. Other activities are held in a large open field area and this site is often used for group camping for special groups throughout the year.

Special activities are planned for all major holidays. Halloween boasts nighttime hayrides, a haunted trail and a haunted house. The Halloween hayride is very exciting and one of the longest I have ever been on.

Rental Rates are reasonable and very affordable and there are weekly special rates for different camping sites or units. Heavenly Acres Campground is open year round except December 20 to Jan 2. The rates listed below are up to date as of October 2008, (but are subject to change in the future).

Tent sites

Small and large campsites are quite affordable at $22.00 and $25.00 respectively per night.

Cabins

Small and large cabins sleeps four at $55.00 and sleeps six at $65.00, respectively

An additional guest on the camping sites, age 3 years old and over, is only $5.00 extra.

Park Model

The Park Model is a large camper and sleeps four at $85.00 per night.

RV sites (recreational vehicles) offered at the following rates:

Electric and Water (RV) rental at $28.00 per night.

Full Hook Up with 30 amps (RV), rental at $32.00 per night.

Full Hook Up with 50 amps (RV), rental at $38.00 per night.

Cabooses

New renovated and very unique, the large camping cabooses will sleep up to four people and comes with a fully equipped kitchen and bath! Rental is $115.00 each night. A smaller caboose, which sleeps two, rents for $90.00 each night

Call the campground directly for specific details or make reservations from their web site through their online reservation page. There are discount rates for weekly stays and for members of AAA and AARP. Reservations are accepted with one night's stay deposit.

Pets

Pets are welcome at all the sites, except for Camping cabooses, regular cabins or the Park Model, however, they need to be on a leash and you MUST clean up after them.

Directions to Heavenly Acres

From the Washington DC Area, it is about a two-hour ride. Take 66W to RT 29 south and continue on 29S to Madison. At the fourth traffic light (Sheetz Gas Station) in Madsion, turn right on to RT 230. Go 8.8 miles and Heavenly Acres Campground is on the left.

From the Richmond, Virginia area, it is approximately one hour and 45 minutes. Take I-64 to exit 136 at Gordonsville, Virginia. Turn right (15N) to Gordonsville. At the circle, take 33W to Stanardsville (33 Business), and turn right on to RT 230. Heavenly Acres Campground is two miles on the right.

From the Charlottesville, Virginia area, take 29N to Ruckersville, then 33W (turn left) to Stanardsville, Virginia (33 business). Then take RT 230 (turn right) and Heavenly Acres Campground is two miles on the right.

From the Fredericksburg, Virginia area, the ride is approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Take State Road 3 west to RT 20S to US 33W to Ruckersville. Stay on 33W to Stanardsville, Virginia (33 Business) and turn right onto RT 230. Stay on RT 230 and Heavenly Acres Campground is two miles on the right.

For more information, call Heavenly Acres Campground at (434) 985-6601 or email at heavenlyacres@firstva.com. You can also visit their web site at http://www.heavenlyacres.net.