Northwest River Park & Campground in Chesapeake, Virginia operates from April through November in a wetland-adjacent setting. The park sits on the northwest branch of the Elizabeth River, creating a habitat for various wildlife species. Elevation remains relatively flat throughout the property, typical of Virginia's coastal plain region where seasonal flooding can occur during heavy rainfall periods.
What to do
Equestrian trails: Northwest River Park & Campground offers designated horse trails that connect with natural features. Elizabeth V. notes, "Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus," making this one of the accessible horse campgrounds near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Paddle sports: Water activities center around the blackwater river system. Heather L. mentions, "Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," providing options for exploring the waterways without bringing personal equipment.
Outdoor recreation: Beyond horse trails and water activities, the park offers multiple recreational options. Patricia L. states, "Plenty of things to do for the active camper. Put put golf, kayak, hiking and much more," highlighting the diversity of activities available within the park boundaries.
What campers like
Maintenance standards: Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of facilities. Joseph H. reports, "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night," indicating a well-maintained environment.
Staff presence: Rangers maintain an active presence throughout the property. According to one camper, "Rangers were nice and very attentive during there checks of the campgrounds," suggesting regular monitoring contributes to the overall camping experience at Northwest River Park.
Peaceful weekday atmosphere: The campground experiences different usage patterns depending on timing. Jeff B. shares, "We went on a sellout weekend but was still pretty quiet," while another reviewer notes, "sites are small but the park does not fill up during the week," indicating potential advantages to weekday visits.
What you should know
Site drainage concerns: The wetland proximity affects camping conditions during inclement weather. One camper advises, "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," highlighting the importance of site selection during rainy periods.
Limited water access: Water availability varies across the campground. Sally T. cautions, "Plan on bringing your own water as there isn't always running water (not sure why)," while Gary D. confirms, "water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks," suggesting campers should prepare accordingly.
Trash disposal location: Waste management requires planning at this equestrian-friendly campground near Kitty Hawk. Sheri K. reports, "The only garbage containers I found were near the dump station, which is on the way out of the park, nowhere near the campground," indicating campers need to transport trash rather than finding convenient disposal points near sites.
Tips for camping with families
Educational programming: The park offers structured activities for children. Elizabeth V. shares, "Chesapeake Public Park's does a great job with events and education at NWRP!" suggesting families check the schedule for educational opportunities during their stay.
Multiple activity options: Families appreciate the variety of recreation choices within walking distance of campsites. Sykeethia T. notes, "Nice trails and fishing. Will be visiting again," indicating these accessible activities work well for groups with children.
Bathroom facilities: The restroom buildings provide family-friendly amenities. One camper mentions, "The bathrooms are clean and well lit," while another states, "showers/bathrooms huge," suggesting adequate space for families with children who need assistance.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV campers should prepare for minor leveling needs. Sheri K. advises, "The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers," indicating basic leveling equipment remains necessary.
Site spacing: The campground layout offers reasonable separation between units. Gary D. notes, "Plenty of room," and another camper confirms, "Large sites," suggesting adequate space for slideouts and outdoor setups at most equestrian campgrounds near the Kitty Hawk region.
Reservation considerations: Booking directly with the park may provide advantages. One RVer explains their reservation system challenges: "After being given 4 different numbers and talking to 6 different people I gave up trying to change the reservation. From now on if I camp here, I will make the reservations directly with the park and not online," suggesting direct booking provides more flexibility.
