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Frequently Asked Questions

know before you go

Questions? We've got answers.

We’re so excited that you’re considering a stay with us! Whether you’re wondering what to pack, curious about our amenities, or want to know how everything works once you arrive, you’re in the right place. Our FAQ is designed to make planning your visit easy and stress-free, so you can focus on what really matters – relaxing, exploring, and making memories. 

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

Booking: Reservations are made in advance with a valid credit card. Full payment is required at the time of booking, which secures your dome for the dates you select.

Cancellation: Plans change, we get it. Reservations may be canceled for a full refund 30 or more days before arrival. Cancellations made 14–29 days before arrival receive a 50% refund. Reservations canceled within 14 days of arrival are normally non-refundable.

Rescheduling: Reservations may be rescheduled once if requested more than 14 days before arrival, subject to availability.

Weather: Camp Yellow Cardinal operates rain or shine. In the event of dangerous or severe weather, extended power outages, or other conditions that prevent us from safely hosting your stay, we’ll coordinate with you about rescheduling or refunding your reservation.

Check-in: Guests are welcome to check in starting at 4 pm on the day of arrival. Your campsite assignment and door code will be emailed and texted to you the day before your stay.

When you arrive, you’ll come down our forested driveway and park in the marked lot. Before heading to your site, take a quick look at the camp information board in the parking area. We’ll use it to share helpful updates, including local events, trail notes, burn bans, or anything else worth knowing during your stay.

Wagons are provided to help you carry your gear from your car to your campsite. From there, simply follow the signs to your dome and your getaway begins. The paths are lit after dark, but we also recommend bringing a flashlight or headlamp if you plan to be out at night.

Running late? No problem. Check-in is completely contactless, so you can arrive whenever it’s convenient after 4 pm.

Check-out: Check-out is by 11 am on your departure day. No need to strip the bed, take out the trash, or do a final round of “Airbnb checkout chores.” We’ve got you covered. Just double-check that you have everything, pour one more cup of coffee for the road using the disposable cups stocked in your kitchenette, and have a safe drive home.

If you need an earlier check-in or later check-out, please let us know in advance. We’ll do our best to accommodate the request when our schedule allows.

We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the peace and beauty of the outdoors.

Camp Yellow Cardinal offers ADA-designated parking, an accessible campsite, an accessible private bathroom, and main trails that have been graded to accommodate guests with mobility challenges. While some secondary trails and natural areas feature uneven terrain, we’ve worked to make the core Camp YC experience welcoming and accessible to as many guests as possible.

If you have questions about accessibility or would like to discuss your specific needs before booking, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d be happy to help you determine whether Camp Yellow Cardinal is the right fit for your stay.

Whether you’re planning to unplug for the weekend or sneak in a little remote work, we’ve got you covered. Camp Yellow Cardinal offers fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout the property, making it easy to stream a movie, catch up on email, or share photos from your stay.

Cell service is generally strong throughout camp, though signal strength may vary depending on your carrier and your exact location on the property.

Of course, if your phone spends the weekend tucked away while you soak in the hot tub or relax around the campfire, we won’t judge.

Camp Yellow Cardinal is designed as an adults-only retreat for guests 18 and older. Each dome is about 300 square feet and includes one king-size bed, making it best suited for one or two adults.

That choice is intentional. Camp YC is a place for people who work too hard, parents who need a quiet break, couples looking to reconnect, solo travelers craving a little peace, and friends who want a getaway that feels different from the usual weekend away.

Each dome has a maximum occupancy of two adults. If your group includes more than two adults, you’ll need to reserve an additional dome.

We love our four-legged friends just as much as you do. However, to preserve the peaceful experience our guests come here for, Camp Yellow Cardinal is a pet-free destination.

There are a few reasons for this. Some guests have allergies or simply enjoy the quiet that comes with an adults-only, people-only retreat. The surrounding area is also home to abundant wildlife, and portions of the region are used for seasonal hunting. We never want a curious pet wandering into an unsafe situation or disturbing the animals that call these woods home.

We know leaving a pet behind isn’t always easy, but we hope you’ll enjoy a few days to unplug, slow down, and reconnect, knowing they’ll be waiting to welcome you home.

If a pet is brought to camp without prior approval, a $100 pet fee will be charged to the credit card on file.

Our centrally located bath house is never more than about a 400-foot walk from your dome, with gently lit paths making it easy to find after dark.

Each dome is assigned its own private bathroom, not a shared or communal space. The same personal door code that unlocks your dome also unlocks your bathroom, so it’s yours for the duration of your stay. Go ahead and leave your toothbrush on the sink, it’ll be waiting for you when you get back.

Inside, you’ll find many of the comforts of home, including plush towels, hand soap, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. The bathrooms feature walk-in tiled showers, elevated fixtures, climate control, and heated floors to make cool mornings a little more comfortable.

Need to wash up after dinner or refill your water bottle? The bath house also includes a covered outdoor sink that’s perfect for washing dishes and filling water bottles.

One small favor: our camp is served by a septic system, so please flush only toilet paper. Help us keep everything running smoothly by placing wipes, paper towels, tissues, feminine hygiene products, and all other trash in the provided waste bins.

Camp Yellow Cardinal is proud to call this community home. With residential neighbors, working farms, and seasonal hunting grounds nearby, we ask all guests to respect posted boundaries and keep activities within camp property.

Please do not trespass beyond marked areas, approach or feed local farm animals, or pick produce from neighboring farms. It helps us be good neighbors and keeps everyone safe.

One of the best parts of Camp Yellow Cardinal is the quiet. To help every guest and our neighbors enjoy the peace and quiet too, we ask that you observe quiet hours from 10 pm to 8 am.

During that time, please keep conversations, music, and other noise low enough that it won’t carry to nearby campsites or neighboring properties. Outside of quiet hours, we still ask everyone to keep the relaxed, low-key nature of camp in mind.

Parties, disruptive behavior, or offensive conduct are not permitted at any time. If something is disturbing your stay, please let us know so we can help.

Camp Yellow Cardinal is designed as a peaceful retreat for our registered guests. If you’d like to have a friend or family member stop by during your stay, just let us know in advance. We’ll usually be happy to accommodate occasional daytime visitors.

Visitors must park only in designated areas, follow all camp policies, and depart before quiet hours begin at 10 pm. Registered guests are responsible for the conduct and safety of their visitors throughout their visit.

Your dome comes stocked with many of the comforts of home, so you can spend less time packing and more time enjoying your stay.

Inside, you’ll find a king-size bed with fresh linens, climate control, high-speed Wi-Fi, a record player, board games, a dining area, and a thoughtfully equipped kitchenette with a mini refrigerator, toaster oven, electric kettle, French press, dishes, glassware, utensils, and complimentary Roastology coffee.

Outside, your private campsite includes a hot tub, propane grill, picnic table, Adirondack chairs, hammock, and a dedicated fire pit complete with cooking grate, spark screen, and fire safety equipment.

Your assigned private bathroom is stocked with plush towels, hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, so there’s no need to bring the basics.

The only things you’ll really need are your clothes, your favorite food and drinks, and a sense of adventure. We’ll take care of the rest.

A good campfire is one of the best parts of a night at Camp Yellow Cardinal. To keep it safe and enjoyable for everyone, please use only the designated fire pit at your site and keep fires small enough to manage comfortably.

Please never leave a fire unattended, and burn firewood only, no trash, food packaging, or other materials. Each fire pit is equipped with a steel spark screen, tongs, a shovel, 5 gallons of water, and a metal ash bucket for your safety and convenience.

Inside each dome, you’ll find a fire extinguisher and smoke detector. For everyone’s safety, smoking, candles, incense, or any open flame are not permitted inside the domes.

From February 15 through April 30, Virginia’s Burning Law restricts open-air fires before 4 pm. During that period, campfires before 4 pm are only allowed when permitted by law and must use the provided spark screen. We’ll share any active burn bans or fire-related updates on the camp information board when you arrive.

Enjoy your fire, keep it cozy, and help us protect the woods we all came here to enjoy.

Camp Yellow Cardinal is a boutique glamping destination designed around our fully furnished geodesic domes. We do not accommodate RVs, travel trailers, pop-up campers, camper vans, or tent camping, and the property does not offer RV hookups or dump stations.

To help preserve the quiet, natural atmosphere of camp, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles are not permitted on the property. Bicycles are always welcome.

If you’re looking for a comfortable way to experience the outdoors without bringing your own accommodations, we think you’ll feel right at home here.

Nobody comes to the woods for a trashy campsite. Please help us keep Camp Yellow Cardinal clean, comfortable, and safe by keeping all trash bagged, sealed, and stored inside your dome until you are ready to dispose of it.

We do have bears and other wildlife in the area, and food scraps, packaging, and scented trash can attract unwanted visitors. For your safety, please do not leave trash, coolers, food, or scented items outside or around your campsite.

Trash should be placed only in the designated bins provided on the property. Before you head out or turn in for the night, take a quick look around your site and make sure everything is tidy and secure.

We put a lot of care into creating Camp Yellow Cardinal, and we ask guests to treat the domes, bath house, trails, and shared spaces with the same care during their stay.

Normal wear and tear is expected. If something breaks, goes missing, or needs attention, please let us know as soon as possible so we can fix it quickly and keep the experience smooth for the next guest.

Guests are responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear, missing items, or misuse of the property, facilities, or equipment. After check-out, we inspect each space as part of our normal cleaning process. If repair or replacement costs are needed, we’ll contact you before charging the credit card on file.

We love seeing Camp Yellow Cardinal through our guests’ eyes. Take all the photos you’d like, enjoy a little nature photography, and don’t forget to tag us at @campyellowcardinal on the socials.

Out of respect for guest privacy and the peaceful nature of camp, drones are not permitted at Camp Yellow Cardinal.

You’re welcome to enjoy beer, wine, or cocktails responsibly at your own campsite. To help keep the camp quiet, relaxed, and comfortable for everyone, please keep alcoholic beverages at your site rather than carrying them around the property.

Smoking is not permitted inside the domes, in the bath house, or on the trail system. If you smoke outside at your campsite, please fully extinguish and properly dispose of all cigarette butts. The woods are beautiful. Cigarette butts are not.

At Camp Yellow Cardinal, we ask guests to embrace the “take only photos, leave only footprints” ethos.

Please enjoy the woods with care by staying on marked trails, avoiding damage to trees or branches, and leaving wildflowers, plants, and natural materials where you found them. Deadfall, branches, and trees from the property should not be collected or used as firewood.

Deer, raccoons, birds, bears, and plenty of other wildlife call this area home. For their safety and yours, please do not feed, approach, or disturb them. Food scraps and scented trash should be sealed and disposed of properly so our wild neighbors stay wild.

You’ll find plenty of on-site parking about a quarter mile down our scenic, forested driveway, including a designated ADA parking space. Once you’ve parked, feel free to grab one of our complimentary wagons to help transport your gear, check the camp information board for stay-specific updates and local events, then follow the wayfinding signs to your campsite.

The speed limit throughout Camp Yellow Cardinal is 10 mph. Our driveway and parking areas are shared by guests, staff, wagons, and the occasional wildlife crossing, so please drive slowly and keep an eye out as you arrive, depart, and move through camp.

For fire, medical emergencies, or any immediate safety concern, call 9-1-1 first. Tell the dispatcher you are at Camp Yellow Cardinal, 425 CC Camp Road, and provide your site number if you know it.

For non-emergency camp issues, such as a power outage, lockout, empty propane tank, hot tub concern, or maintenance problem, please contact camp management so we can help as quickly as possible.

Before your stay, we recommend saving Camp Yellow Cardinal’s contact number in your phone. You’ll also find emergency information posted in your dome and on the camp information board near the parking area.

Enjoy Your Stay, Help Protect the Experience

At Camp Yellow Cardinal, we’re committed to creating a safe, relaxing, and memorable experience for everyone. We kindly ask all guests to respect the camp guidelines and the natural beauty around them. Following these simple practices helps ensure that every visitor enjoys a peaceful stay. Thank you for being part of what makes this place so special!

Still have a question? We’re always happy to help.

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