Kings Dominion

Kings Dominion in Virginia has 60 rides to enjoy on your next RV vacation. Enjoy it all and stay in the campground so you can go again in the morning.

Event information

Something magical is going on in Northeastern Virginia. People of all ages are heading to Kings Dominion in Doswell for carnival rides, delicious food, fun games, and awesome shows. This fantastic park opened in 1975 after its sister park in Ohio, Kings Island, did so well. The 400-acre park is also named for the nickname of Virginia, which is Old Dominion.

Kings Dominion has animatronic animals and a 20-acre water park. Top all that off with 12 roller coasters and a huge section just for the kiddos, and you have a vacation to remember.

Since it is almost impossible to experience it all in one day, the park has its own KOA campground on site that has over 250 campsites with full utility hookups. The campground also has recreational activities to enjoy. So, if your kids are not worn out after a day at the park, send them to play tetherball or basketball for a while so you can take a break.

Speaking of taking a break, while you are in the park, take some time to sit down to a meal at one of the 32 food places dotted throughout Kings Dominion. From pizza to pretzels and funnel cakes to French fries, you can find all kinds of options that will make everyone happy.

There are a few places where the adults can get an adult drink too. Be sure to bring your ID with you. After eating, take in a show and then get back to the fun rides and games of Kings Dominion.

Tickets

To get the best deals on tickets for Kings Dominion, buy them online in advance. Tickets have been about $40 each in the past, but they can run more than $70 at the gate. This does not include parking, camping, or food. It is always a better deal if you buy two-day tickets if you plan on going for the whole weekend. And if you plan on visiting more than once a year, a season pass is the best deal.

Explore Kings Dominion RV Rentals


Transportation

Driving

Only 20 miles from Richmond, Virginia, Kings Dominion in Doswell is easy to reach no matter what you are driving since it is right off of I-95. Doswell is about 75 miles south of the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. Stop by and take a selfie in front of the Capitol Building or take a trip through the National Mall.

Parking areas

Guests are likely to find plenty of spots to park at Kings Dominion because they have thousands of them, and they will find a place for you no matter what you are driving. The parking attendants will show you where to go. You can even reserve a parking spot online if you like. While it is easier to camp at the campground, you can also leave your rig at a campground nearby and take public transportation, which will bring you right to the gate.

Public Transportation

The Kings Dominion Express Bus travels to and from Richmond and stops at several convenient locations. If you are coming from anywhere in the Richmond area, all you have to do is walk to one of the stops in Downtown Richmond, and they will take you to the park. You can also park at Southside Plaza and take the bus from there if you like.

Where to stay

Onsite

Nestled in the woods of Richmond, Virginia, the Richmond North / Kings Dominion KOA has 288 campsites that can accommodate motorhomes up to 70 feet long. You’ll even get a discount on tickets for the park when you book here. There is a pool, wi-fi, cable TV, and basketball courts. They also have a playground, tetherball, and a funnel ball area for the kids, as well as a dog park for Fido! What more could you ask for? They also provide free shuttle service to the main gate at the park.

Nearby

If you choose not to stay at Kings Dominion KOA, Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield is only about 30 minutes away. They have a huge campground with over 100 sites with and without utilities. You can also enjoy boating or fishing on one of their lakes or swimming at the pool. You’ll also have access to hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, and other activities here. Are you looking for something more primitive? There are several other campgrounds in the area to choose from as well.

Getting around

Although the park provides free shuttles from the campground, hotels, cabins, and parking lots, you will have to use foot power to get around the park. If you have mobility issues, you can bring in your own wheelchair or electric convenience vehicle. Guests can rent these at the “Upgrade Your Day Center” just inside the main gate if you did not bring one. You can also reserve them on the Kings Dominion rental page online so you will be sure to get what you need when you get there.

What to pack

Clothing

Pack for warm weather because Doswell, Virginia gets pretty hot in the summertime. In fact, from June until September the temps are typically in the middle to upper 80s. Tank tops, tee-shirts, and shorts are usually what you will see others wearing. However, if you go in May, it can drop down into the 50s in the evenings. Pack some good walking shoes as well and a bathing suit for the water park.

Gear

Your best choice for carrying what you need at the park is a fanny pack or waist belt. Backpacks and purses are okay, but you will have to rent a locker for those items if you want to ride the rides. Although a few of the rides have lockers, most of them do not. A fanny pack is best because you can carry your wallet, keys, sunglasses, and phone in there, and it will not be in the way when you ride.

Health & Safety

Only bring what you really need into the park with you. If it doesn’t fit into your fanny pack, you’ll have to have a bigger bag and rent a locker. Travel-sized bug spray and sunblock are good for the park because you will need them, and they can fit anywhere. You can also bring in one sealed bottle of water as long as it is not glass. Sunglasses and a hat are okay for sun but not for rides, so make sure you can safely put them away while you’re riding.

Where to eat

Cooking

Since the Kings Dominion KOA has full utilities, you can cook whatever you want in your rig. In fact, they also provide a BBQ grill so you can cook outside if you would rather. Be sure to bring a backup camp stove or grill just in case. Always bring extra water, trash bags, paper plates, and plastic eating utensils. Aluminum foil and Ziploc bags also come in handy for all sorts of things. There’s a camp store at the KOA too, or you can drive a short way into town to pick up what you need.

Restaurants

Take the family into Richmond for a meal at one of the two dozen restaurants in town. You can find a seafood restaurant, Italian eatery, several Mexican places, Asian cuisine, and a few steak houses. Pizza and burger joints are popular here too. You can even find an Ethiopian restaurant and a downhome southern kitchen. If you want to go through the drive-thru, you’ll find several fast food places as well.

Vendors

Carnival food is not all you will find at Kings Dominion. There are several fine dining establishments where you can sit down in the A/C and relax while you eat. You’ll also find a diner, more than a few seafood places, a smokehouse, and a pizza place with all kinds of toppings you may have never encountered. When a sweet tooth hits, they have a place called Sweet Tooth that serves soft-serve ice cream as well as other candy. Don’t forget the funnel cake! Stop by at least one of the gift shops for some souvenirs you cannot get anywhere else.

Safety

Security

Don’t bring any glass, sharp objects, or other prohibited items to the park with you, or you will be headed back to the rig. Everyone has to pass through the metal detectors at the gate before entering Kings Dominion. It pays to be prepared, so you don’t slow down the line. Your bags will be searched as well, so check the list of prohibited items on the park’s website before coming. Some of the more common items to avoid include drugs, alcohol, weapons, and fireworks.

Weather

Summers in Northeastern Virginia are generally hot. From June to September, you can expect high temperatures to range from the upper 80s to lower 90s with plenty of humidity. The lows are typically in the middle to upper 60s, and there is a good chance of rain from May through September as well. Pack for hot, humid, and wet weather just to be prepared. Download a weather app so you can stay apprised of the local weather at all times.

Medical

It’s a good idea to always have a first-aid kit with you for emergencies. However, if you need more comprehensive help, Kings Dominion provides trained and certified emergency medical personnel at two different first aid stations in the park. One of these is located in Soak City by the Sun & Surf Supplies Shop, and the other is on International Street by the Eiffel Tower. In addition, there are six different medical centers within 20 miles of the park.