Campgrounds near Barhamsville, Virginia offer diverse options for outdoor recreation in the coastal plain region. The terrain features a mix of wooded areas and waterfront access points along the Chickahominy and James Rivers, with elevations rarely exceeding 100 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons provide more moderate conditions between 65-75°F.
What to do
Water activities on the Chickahominy River: Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides excellent access for boaters and anglers. "There's a light down there that draws the insects. The fish are everywhere. Not big fish, but fish. Bring a light fly rod and enjoy," notes Patrick R. about the fishing dock.
Explore local hiking trails: Chippokes State Park Campground offers several miles of trails through historic plantation grounds. "Love Chippokes! Feels country-esque but also like you're on a plantation! Beautiful trails. Great (paved) campground! Feels like you're a million miles away from it all," shares Ashley I.
Visit York River State Park: Located just 4 miles from American Heritage RV Park, this state park provides additional recreational opportunities. "American Heritage RV Park is just 4 miles from York River State Park. After getting set up, we went there and we highly recommend it for nature lovers," recommends Sharon B.
Historical site tours: The area surrounding Barhamsville offers numerous historical attractions within short driving distance. "The campground is in a great location to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown and is a great home base for exploring those sites," explains Ashleigh M. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
What campers like
Spacious RV sites with amenities: American Heritage RV Park receives praise for its concrete site pads. "Our site was very nice site#10, a leveled concrete site with room to park our towed vehicle while still attached to our Motor Home. We also had a level concrete patio with a picnic table," shares Mary H.
Family-friendly activities: Williamsburg Campground (KOA) offers numerous amenities for families. "Visited fall of 2016. Lots to do with kids... planned activities like Petting zoo, hayrides, and movie night, and campground amenities like a pool (was chilly though), bounce pillows, bikes, short hiking trails, and ice cream shop," says Courtney O.
Waterfront access points: Eagle Nest Lookout provides primitive camping with river views. "Car camped here 5 feet from the water. There is a large shoreline area to car camp and right up the hill is a nice tent site as well overlooking the river," reports Kevin F. about this dispersed camping option.
Seasonal swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain pools for summer recreation. "Great site. Very Clean bathhouse. Pool and water area for the kids with a life guard! Huge grass area to walk the dogs or hit golf balls," notes Niles C. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Train tracks run near several campgrounds in the area. "The train that passes by is great for kids and you barely notice it," shares Bryan S. about Anvil Campground, while another camper notes, "Nice, clean campsite. Only issue is you are right next to the train tracks so if you are a light sleeper you will hear those trains throughout the night," warns Alexas H. about Ed Allen's.
Weather impacts on camping areas: Seasonal conditions can affect campground accessibility. "We arrived on opening day (March 19, 2021) for the season. They had unfortunately been a victim of the rain and the main road to the campground had washed out. Alternative routes were set up to enter and exit," explains Brenda L. about Thousand Trails Williamsburg.
Site assignment practices: Some campgrounds don't pre-assign specific sites. "Because sites are not assigned in advance, we could not choose sites that worked well for our group," notes Lisa D. about American Heritage RV Park.
Popular weekend periods: Many campgrounds experience significant visitor increases on weekends. "Weekends definitely get busy. Staff is helpful. Boat ramp access, FHU, pool and plenty of room to stretch your legs," shares Ashley I. about Rockahock Campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options for different ages: Anvil Campground offers a distinctive play area. "We really loved the sandy playground. It is completely fenced in and has play equipment, hammocks and a zip line. The grandkids loved the zip line," writes Bridget H.
Swimming facilities to consider: Pool amenities vary between campgrounds. "One small pool. Golf carts available," mentions Christopher A. about American Heritage RV Park, while another camper reports, "The pool is incredibly large and CLEAN!!! I was surprised! It felt very refreshing and even had adult swim time and attentive life guards," says Katie B. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Biking opportunities for kids: Several campgrounds offer safe biking areas. "With all paved streets the campground is perfect for bike riding," notes Christen C. about Bethpage Camp-Resort.
Budget-friendly tent camping: For families seeking more economical options, Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides tent sites. "The tent sites are kind of close together and lack privacy but we were the only ones there Sunday night so it wasn't that big of a deal. There are lots of trees to protect you from the harsh Virginia sun," explains Ashleigh M.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access points: Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages offers full hookup sites but with specific characteristics. "Spacious Sites, Full Hookups. Kids Enjoyed the Playground & Arcade. Safe & Secure Spot. %100 will visit again," reports giancarlo M.
Weather-related access challenges: Seasonal rains can impact road conditions at some dog friendly campgrounds near Barhamsville. "I understand from reading other reviews that they can routinely have problems when it rains. The mud and puddles were so bad we couldn't locate the sewer connection," shares Brenda L. about Thousand Trails Williamsburg.
Site dimensions and backing challenges: Larger RVs may face specific site limitations. "Sites up front are a little crammed together, but level. Not a bad place to stay," notes Ashley I. about Rockahock Campgrounds.
Utility placement considerations: Some sites have strategically placed hookups. "Sewer is in 2 locations for each site. WiFi available," mentions happy_champers about Bethpage Camp-Resort, making it a pet-friendly camping option near Barhamsville.