Located between three state forests and not too far from the Featherfin Wildlife Management Area, Farmville, Virginia is a wonderful place from which to explore the beautiful nearby landscapes. The town, which is about an hour and 15 minutes from the city of Richmond, was formed in 1798 and officially incorporated in 1912. Today, the population is about 8,200 people.
The forests and wild areas around Farmville offer plenty of outdoor recreation activity options, including camping, hiking, wildlife viewing and hunting. Bike riding, whether it's through the town's quiet streets and paved trails or along more rugged mountain biking trails, is also quite popular. The Robert Russa Moton Museum, for example, is a fantastic way to learn more about the town and the surrounding area. The j fergeson gallery, on the other hand, offers a glimpse into the area's local arts. The Longwood Center for Visual Arts blends art and history and offers informative historical and artistic displays.
The Farmville area is also well-known for its breweries and wineries. Visitors can stop at Third Street Brewing, the Three Roads Brewing Company or the Virginia Tasting Cellar to explore the various flavors of the region and enjoy lunch or dinner.
Most people visit Farmville during the summer when temperatures hover in the mid- to high-80s. Late spring and early fall are also popular times of the year as temperatures are generally in the 60s and 70s, and most days are clear. Winter temperatures are generally mild, hovering in the 40s, but nights can be cold, and temperatures can often reach well below freezing.
Campgrounds Near Farmville, Virginia
One of the best options for RV camping near Farmville is the Fort Chiswell RV Park in Max Meadows, two hours and 55 minutes to the southwest. The park offers beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a gorgeous, lush green setting. There are 92 RV sites available with full hookups. Daily, weekly and monthly rates are all available.
Americamps RV Resort in Ashland, an hour and 25 minutes northeast of Farmville, is another excellent option. Located in a historic region, the resort offers two laundry areas, a fitness center, a pool, and clean restrooms and showers. There are 198 sites, and full hookups are available. Rates start at $40 per night.
Located in Williamsburg, an hour and 50 minutes northeast of Farmville, American Heritage RV Park is conveniently situated whether you want to explore some nearby historical sites or enjoy outdoor activities. The park features 105 sites with full hookups, and both back-in and pull-through sites are available. The park is pet friendly, and several discounts, including Good Sam Club, AAA and AARP discounts, can be utilized.
State Parks Near Farmville, Virginia
A fantastic summer getaway location 20 minutes southeast of Farmville, Twin Lakes State Park covers 548 acres and features two large lakes where visitors can boat, kayak, paddleboard, swim and fish. The surrounding forest offers excellent hiking and mountain biking opportunities. The park is also a historic area as it was purchased from farmers during the Great Depression. Visitors interested in learning more about the area's environment can also enjoy some hands-on nature activities at the environmental education center near the beach.
Bear Creek Lake State Park is 25 minutes northeast of Farmville. The park is the center of the Cumberland State Forest and home to Bear Creek Lake, a 40-acre man-made reservoir created during the 1930s. The park, which is centrally located between the major cities of Richmond and Appomattox, offers fantastic hiking, hunting and camping opportunities, and visitors can boat, fish, swim or simply soak up the sun on the lake's edge. There are also playgrounds, a meeting room and an archery range on-site, and Wi-Fi is also available.
Spanning 225 acres and located in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, Holliday Lake State Park is about a half-hour northwest of Farmville. The lake itself is 150 acres and offers amazing fishing opportunities. Visitors can also boat, kayak, paddleboard and swim in the welcoming waters. The surrounding forest offers many opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, photography and wildlife viewing. One trail takes visitors on a 7-mile hike around the lake itself. There are also several picnic locations at which you can stop for lunch.
National Sites Near Farmville, Virginia
Virginia played a key role in the history of the United States, particularly during the Civil War, so there are several historic national sites to explore near Farmville, including Appomattox Court House National Historical Park. The park is only about a half-hour northwest of Farmville and is home to the McLean House, where Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant, ending the Civil War. The park also houses several other 19th-century homes and buildings, and there are several hiking trails nearby for anyone who wants to explore the park's beautiful outdoor areas.
An hour southwest of Farmville, Red Hill Patrick Henry National Monument celebrates the life and legacy of Patrick Henry, one of the founding fathers of the United States. He was also the first post-colonial governor of Virginia and was famous for saying, "Give me liberty, or give me death!" The monument offers visitors a look into the past as the on-site museum was once Patrick Henry's home and the place where he spent his final years. The building has since been restored and offers a wealth of information about Henry and the area's history.
Maggie L. Walker was a Black leader, entrepreneur and business owner. She led the Independent Order of St. Luke, which offered burial insurance to Black women who could not otherwise afford it. She also founded the St. Luke Herald Newspaper and started a bank. Today, visitors can stop at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site to learn more about Walker's incredible life, view the house she called home and stroll through St. Luke Hall. The site is approximately an hour and 15 minutes northeast of Farmville.
National Forests Near Farmville, Virginia
Spanning 1.8 million acres across the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky, the George Washington (three hours southeast of Farmville) and Jefferson (three hours west of Farmville) National Forests offer visitors a unique exploration opportunity. There are hundreds of options for hiking, mountain biking and camping. The forests' 2,000 plant species, 40 tree species, 200 bird species, 100 fish and mussel species, and 60 mammal species afford visitors incredible photography and nature experience opportunities. There are also plenty of choices for fishing, and because the area is so remote, the stargazing prospects are exceptional.
Located in West Virginia, three hours and 25 minutes northeast of Farmville, Monongahela National Forest covers about 919,000 acres. Although it's smaller than the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, the Monongahela offers some of the most diverse landscapes of any national forest. Visitors can explore streams, ponds, wetlands, dense forests, lush meadows and mountain areas. The park is also a beautiful place to view wildlife and is home to eight endangered plant and animal species. Visitors often enjoy hiking, mountain biking, camping or backpacking in the forest, and the fishing and hunting opportunities are nearly endless.
About four hours and 15 minutes southeast of Farmville in North Carolina, visitors will find Croatan National Forest. The forest offers excellent hiking opportunities in lush, old-growth woods, but the area is also dotted by swamps, bogs, lakes and salt estuaries, which create diverse landscapes that are home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Visitors can often spot wild turkeys, deer, black bears and even alligators. Bird-watching is also a great pastime in the park.
