Tent campsites near Barhamsville, Virginia offer access to Chesapeake Bay tributaries and coastal woodland environments. The region features mainly flat terrain with elevations under 100 feet above sea level, situated between the York and James Rivers. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F and winter lows rarely dropping below freezing.
What to do
Kayaking and boating: Sandy Bottom Nature Park provides affordable boat rentals for exploring the 10-acre lake. "Lots of hiking trails to walk & turtles in the lake!! Plus you can rent boats for a cheap price which we will probably go back to do," notes Gracie B. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Hiking trail networks: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas to waterfront access points and observation areas. "There are miles of trails around the lake and through the woods you can follow. It is extremely dog friendly with a fenced in dog park as well," says Brandon W. about the trail options.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse coastal wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly bird watching. Susan P. comments that Wisteria Beach Hideaway beaches are "surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped!"
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: Tent sites generally offer good separation from neighboring campers. At Sandy Bottom, "The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail. They were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms," reports liz J.
Unique camping setups: Some locations provide additional site amenities. Kat H. appreciated that Brewer's Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground offered "a swinging grill grate on the firepit, which was great for camp pizzas!"
Beach access: Several campgrounds provide direct or nearby beach access to undeveloped shorelines. "Loved the location - the beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped!" notes Kat H. about Wisteria Beach Hideaway.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some sites require in-person booking while others allow advance reservations. At Sandy Bottom Nature Park, "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6," advises liz J.
Insects and wildlife: Coastal locations can experience significant insect activity, particularly in warmer months. RL reports about Carter's Cove Campground: "Biting black flies almost made the beaches unbearable but we didn't have that problem at the actual site."
Noise factors: Some camping areas experience traffic noise despite natural settings. "The biggest negative was that no matter where you were in the park, there was significant noise from the highway. Horns honking, sirens blaring, the general rush of cars going by," notes liz J. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature centers with programming. "This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved," explains N I. about Big Woods WMA.
Shower availability: While many tent campsites near Barhamsville offer primitive facilities, some provide shower access. "Having a shower was great - it felt like we were glamping!" shares RL about their stay at Wisteria Beach Hideaway.
Park ranger assistance: Staff at established campgrounds regularly check on campers. "There was a Park Ranger driving around and checked on us when we first got there asking if we had any questions," reports Gracie B. about her experience at Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Tips from RVers
Site layouts and access: Most RV sites near Barhamsville require self-contained units as hookups are limited. N I. notes that Carter's Cove is "More of a long term stay but there are a few spots for RV's. Laundry, trash, restrooms, picnic table, fire pit (day use only). Mature trees and over all space is very large. Sites are level with some spacing."
Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds. According to Kat H., "at&t and verizon worked at the site but not the beaches" at Wisteria Beach Hideaway, an important consideration for those needing to stay connected.
Affordability: Camping costs in the region remain relatively low compared to coastal areas further north. Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers tent camping at approximately $10.60 per night, which liz J. describes as "dirt cheap price" that "delivers as advertised."
