Kings Dominion Hotels & Campgrounds

Looking for Kings Dominion hotels and campgrounds that won't break the bank? Here's the scoop!

If your visit to the park includes an overnight stay, you have a variety of options to choose from nearby. But some are nicer and more cost effective than others. So here's a brief overview of your options, costs, and tips for staying for less.

Overview of Kings Dominion Hotels

If you want to stay in Kings Dominion hotels right near the park (in Doswell-- a town which has basically one thing in it: the park) you have five options. One (which I'll discuss below) is the cheapest deal, but based on the reviews I've read, you should strike it off your list unless you're really counting your pennies. 

Here are your options for Kings Dominion hotels (all prices are based on a mid-week summer stay for two people):

Best Western Kings Quarters

@$89/night - This is a two star hotel within walking distance to the park. Amenities include: Free shuttle to park, free wifi, pool, restaurant, tennis courts, self-serve laundry, pet friendly, ping pong, shuffle board, playground. 

Kings Dominion Drop Tower

Days Inn at Kings Dominion

@$72/night - Another two-star hotel, this hotel has fewer play amenities than the Best Western and is a bit more basic and not as highly rated by guests, but it does have the major benefit of free breakfast (a basic breakfast). Also within walking distance to the park, it does not have a free shuttle, but it does have free wifi, pool, self-serve laundry, and it's pet friendly. 

Country Inn & Suites by Carlson

@$81/night - A step up from the others, at 2.5 stars, this hotel features free wifi, indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and self-serve laundry. It also offers a free breakfast, but does NOT allow pets. Some reviewers think it should be rated 3.5 stars or higher. One reviewer tip: Ask the manager for an early entry pass to the park and you can get in 30 minutes earlier! Another tip: Since train tracks run right behind the hotel, ask for a room in the front of the hotel.

La Quinta Inn & Suites Richmond

@$89/night - This is the one Kings Dominion hotel I've personally stayed at, and I can say it was a good experience, a fact confirmed by it's #1 area ranking on Trip Advisor. Amenities feature free wifi, pool, hot tub, fitness center, self-serve laundry, free breakfast and it's pet-friendly. 

Travel Plaza Motel

Unless you really, really need dirt cheap, reviewers who have stayed there say it is a miss! It used to be an EconoLodge and generally has average to terrible reviews. It's hard to get a room price (I couldn't even find a working website!!!), but it seems to average around $50, which includes a pool and breakfast.

Other Options, Try Ashland

If all the Kings Dominion hotels are booked or you can't find what you want, you can consider looking for a hotel in Ashland, which is about 20 minutes away. Keep in mind that you'll have to add $15 to your bill since you'll have to pay for parking at the park. 

Kings Dominion's Camp Wilderness Campground

Kings Dominion now has a variety of camping options which can save you money on everything from tent camping to RV hookups to their new "Deluxe" cabins which can sleep up to 10! (How's that for a money-saver?)

If your style puts the word "camp" in camping (as opposed to mine, where my definition of "camping" involves a hotel room), you'll prefer their tent campsites which feature bathhouses, an outdoor pool and volleyball court, horseshoes and a camp store with wireless internet service. They also have RV sites with water, electric (50 and 30 amp) and/or sewer hook ups. For those who can't leave the TV at home, some sites even have access to DirecTV services. Nightly summer rates for two range from $47 for a tent site to $57 for a full hook-up 30 amp back-in site.

If roughing it is not your idea of fun, they offer Deluxe Cabins which can sleep up to 10 and feature queen size beds, sofa sleepers, lofts, two full bathrooms, a kitchen with a fridge and microwave, four TVs, central air/heat, grill and fire ring, and free wifi. Summer rates start at $189 per night, whether you have one occupant or 10, so it pays to cram them in!

So what are the pros of Camp Wilderness? First, the location is very convenient if you want to maximize your time at the park, and they even have a free shuttle to the park. Even if you aren't visiting the park, it's not a bad place to stay if you're traveling up or down the East Coast, since it is right off of I-95.

Cons: Some reviewers say they think the camp is overpriced for what it is (although they rave about the cleanliness of the bathrooms).

Pros: The value of the Deluxe Cabins really depends on how many people you pack in. For two people, $189-$250 per night is rather steep. But if you fit in 5-10 people, it's a steal over having to pay for two-four hotel rooms! Another plus: the bathrooms include saps, shampoo and hairdryers. 

Note that the nearest grocery store is about 15-20 minutes away in Ashland, but you can be at the good Walmart in that time.

Campground Specials/Discounts

The Kings Dominion website lists several campground discounts which can save you 10% if you're a member of the military, Good Sam, AARP, or a Kings Dominion Season Pass holder.

They also offer length-of-stay admission packages, which supposedly give you a break on admission when you book a campground stay. However, if you take advantage of my single-day ticket discounts, you'll probably get a better deal.