Northwest River Park & Campground in Chesapeake, Virginia offers equestrian trails for riders camping near Duck, North Carolina. The park maintains several miles of trails suitable for horseback riding, with one reviewer noting the availability of equestrian trails as "always a plus" for visitors. The campground accommodates tent, RV, and cabin campers with clean facilities and attentive staff. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed among the amenities, the park's extensive trail system makes it a practical option for day rides.
Located approximately 35 miles from Duck, the park provides access to natural riding areas through its trail network. The campground operates seasonally from April 1 through November 30, with sites featuring picnic tables and fire rings. Bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise for cleanliness in visitor reviews. For horse owners planning extended stays, Northwest River Park offers various recreational activities beyond riding, including hiking, fishing, and paddling opportunities. Campers should note that after-hours check-in may be restricted, as one visitor reported being turned away despite arriving before dark. Chesapeake Campground offers an alternative year-round option in the area, though it lacks specific equestrian amenities.
$21 - $36 / night
"Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus."
"Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic."
GuideI have spent my childhood here and I am excited to share it with my kids. We hike here when visiting grandparents. Chesapeake Public Park’s does a great job with events and education at NWRP! Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus.
GuideThis is a former KOA, I stayed here years ago when it was a KOA, and have spent considerable amount of time here fairly recently. They cater mostly to monthly campers, and aside from allowing some small decks to be built next to the RV's, it otherwise looks very clean. They do keep a few sites open for transient campers. If you need to stay for a duration in the Norfolk-Va Beach area (we're talking months), this is the place to be! Several sites have good access to satellite system.
LegendArrived shortly after 8 pm after a long day's drive. The sun was going down but it wasn't dark yet. The campground office was locked and deserted. No posted instructions about after hours registration, no pay box. Ran into a park ranger who informed me the campground was closed for the evening; as in, would not take my money. Seriously? The campground is behind a gate with a keypad, so no chance of driving in and talking to the camp host. The ranger was kind and apologetic at least.
Drove a little further south and found a nice site at Bells Island Campground. The host there was happy to take my money.
GuidePlenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks. Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic.
GuideThis is a beautiful campground! There are only seven campers here in this campground, and I can't believe it. The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers. There are picnic tables and fire pits at each site, however my picnic table has a very very warped bench. But it makes no difference to me as it is only me, and I have my own chairs! The bathrooms are clean and well lit. The only thing I have a problem with here, is that there are no garbage cans or dumpsters near the campsites. The only garbage containers I found were near the dump station, which is on the way out of the park, nowhere near the campground! There is lots to do within this camp, let alone in the area around the camp. I have noticed two hiking trails, I have seen the kayaks that are for rent and the area you launch, all we need now is some nicer weather. Other info, I asked if they had weekly rates and was told yes. But of course you are limited to 14 days like so many other campgrounds. When I arrived and talked to the clerk about the weekly rates, all he did was multiply the daily rate by the number of days. There is no discounted weekly rate. They also do not take Sam's club, do not have senior discounts, etc.. I don't know if their site on the the dirt shows the price, but it was $42 for the first night and drops to $38 per night for the rest of my stay.
LegendThe campground at Northwest River Park is small and pretty basic. For a tent camper that is used to wooded, private sites these leave much to be desired. There is not much privacy. The campground was full the night we stayed there and very busy and noisy through the night. We stayed on a Memorial Day weekend though so maybe it is not typically like that. All night our young children were woken up by the noise from the nearby RV's AC units.
What this park lacks in it's campground, it makes up for in it's recreational activities! There is a putt-putt course! Canoeing! Tons of hiking trails! Multiple playgrounds! Lots of wide open space for kids to run and play! Fishing! This is an excellent park for kids and families to come for the day!
Overall not a horrible experience but this is the closest campground to our house and we have not felt the need to come back and stay overnight. Maybe would be better for camping mid-week when it's not so busy.
ScoutBath houses were clean & the trails were awesome!
TravelerLove this camp ground. Just love how clean it is. Bathrooms, showers are a big plus. Nice trails and fishing. Will be visiting again.
GuideI have camped here many times throughout my childhood and adulthood. Miles of trails and so much to do. Always with clean sites and attentive staff
Northwest River Park & Campground in Chesapeake, Virginia serves as a practical base for horseback riders seeking equestrian camping near Duck, North Carolina. The park remains open seasonally from April through November with gravel campsites featuring picnic tables and fire rings. Water access varies between sites, with some campers noting the need to fill tanks at central locations rather than having direct hookups at every site.
Hiking trails access: Northwest River Park offers multiple hiking paths that lead to the river, providing alternatives to horseback riding. One visitor notes, "There are a few hikes leading back to the river" with opportunities to explore the natural surroundings.
Water recreation options: The park provides rentable watercraft for exploring the adjacent waterways. According to a reviewer, "Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," allowing campers to experience the river ecosystem from a different perspective.
Recreational variety: Northwest River Park & Campground maintains additional activities beyond trails and water access. As one camper describes, "Plenty of things to do for the active camper. Put put golf, kayak, hiking and much more," making it suitable for visitors seeking diversions beyond horseback riding.
Clean facilities: The maintenance of restrooms and shower areas receives consistent positive feedback. A recent visitor observed, "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night."
Attentive staff: Northwest River Park & Campground personnel maintain a visible presence with regular campground monitoring. According to one review, "Rangers were nice and very attentive during there checks of the campgrounds. The facilities were very nice and clean."
Spacious sites: The campground provides ample room between camping areas. One visitor comments, "Plenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks," indicating sufficient space despite some limitations with water hookups.
Seasonal flooding concerns: The campground's location near wetlands creates potential issues during heavy rainfall. A camper warns, "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend. If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site."
Water availability varies: Chesapeake Campground offers an alternative year-round option in the region, but some visitors to Northwest River Park note inconsistent water access. One camper advises, "Plan on bringing your own water as there isn't always running water (not sure why)."
Waste disposal location: Trash facilities are limited to specific areas rather than distributed throughout the campground. A camper points out, "The only garbage containers I found were near the dump station, which is on the way out of the park, nowhere near the campground!"
Educational opportunities: The park offers organized activities for younger visitors. A local resident notes, "Chesapeake Public Park's does a great job with events and education at NWRP!"
Dog-friendly environment: Families traveling with pets will find accommodations suitable. According to one review, "Campgrounds were very dog friendly, which made camping with the dog enjoyable."
Alternative family options: Chesapeake Campground provides additional family-focused amenities approximately 40 minutes from coastal areas. A visitor reports, "There were a lot of child friendly activities to do here. It's about 40 mins from the beach. We tent camped and had a blast."
Leveling requirements: The gravel sites may require adjustment for recreational vehicles. A camper notes, "The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers."
Rate structure: Northwest River Park & Campground pricing follows a tiered system rather than offering weekly discounts. According to a recent visitor, "It was $42 for the first night and drops to $38 per night for the rest of my stay," with no special discounts for extended stays.
Stay duration limits: The campground restricts continuous occupancy similar to other facilities in the region. One RVer points out, "You are limited to 14 days like so many other campgrounds," which requires planning for longer visits to the Duck, North Carolina area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Duck, NC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Duck, NC is Northwest River Park & Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
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