Best Campgrounds near Colonial Beach, VA
The Northern Neck peninsula surrounding Colonial Beach, Virginia features a mix of waterfront and wooded camping options along the Potomac River. Westmoreland State Park Campground, located about 15 miles east of Colonial Beach, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins nestled among mature forests with views of the Potomac. Thousand Trails Harbor View provides seasonal camping from April through October with shaded sites for tents and RVs. Monroe Bay Marina and Campground offers waterfront camping with boat access directly in Colonial Beach. Caledon State Park, approximately 20 miles northwest, provides more primitive tent-only camping accessed via hiking trails for those seeking a more secluded experience.
Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when temperatures and humidity can be high. Westmoreland State Park's bathhouses remain clean and heated in winter, making it suitable for off-season camping. Spring brings heavy pollen that can coat outdoor surfaces, as noted by one camper who reported, "If you have allergies, avoid spring. Everything outside was covered in a light haze of pollen." Summer brings mosquitoes and ticks, particularly in wooded areas. Cell service varies by provider, with Verizon reported as reliable at Harbor View. Many campgrounds close or reduce operations between November and March, though some state parks maintain year-round availability.
Potomac River access represents a significant draw for campers in the Colonial Beach area. Westmoreland State Park's Fossil Beach attracts visitors searching for prehistoric shark teeth along the shoreline. According to one camper, "The best part is that you can actually find sharks teeth on the beaches here. When it rains, the teeth get washed out of the cliff." Many campgrounds feature relatively close quarters, with several reviewers noting proximity to neighboring sites. A Harbor View camper observed, "The sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat. They are also very close together—our slide was almost touching our neighbor's slide." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, pools, and communal activities are common at the larger established campgrounds, while state parks offer more natural settings with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
