76 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Surry, Virginia range from established state parks to dispersed camping areas, with several options located along waterways. Chippokes State Park Campground, situated on the Cobham Bay, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options within a historic plantation setting that dates back to 1619. Approximately 15 miles northwest, Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides waterfront camping with full hookups for RVs and tent sites. The region includes both public and private camping facilities, with mixed-use campgrounds accommodating various camping styles from primitive tent camping to fully-equipped RV sites with water, electric, and sewer connections.
Camping availability in the area follows seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Chippokes State Park Campground is open from the last Friday in March until the first Monday in December, while other facilities like American Heritage RV Park and Thousand Trails Williamsburg remain open year-round. Reservations are recommended, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. The Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area offers free primitive camping but requires a permit, providing an alternative for those seeking a more rustic experience. Cell service varies by location, with Verizon reported to have good coverage at Chippokes. A review noted that "Verizon service was great" at Chippokes State Park Campground.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Surry area, with several campgrounds situated along the James River, Chickahominy River, or Cobham Bay. Campers frequently mention the beaches at Chippokes State Park as a highlight, though one reviewer observed they were "very nice" but noted that "the water is sooo unpleasantly warm" in summer. The Eagle Nest Lookout in Chickahominy WMA offers a more secluded experience with river views from a small knoll, described by one visitor as "exceptional for those that like to primitive camp." Proximity to historical attractions adds value to the camping experience, with Jamestown and Williamsburg accessible via the Jamestown Ferry from Surry. Most developed campgrounds provide standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathhouses, though reviews indicate maintenance quality varies between facilities.
"The access to the little beaches are short but moderately steep, especially with lots of beach gear or strollers. It also seems to get washed out so watch your steps."
"We've stayed here pretty often as it's only a few hours from home and near everything in Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is against the James river and theres easy access to the riverside."
from $37 - $345 / night
Check Availability"There is a nice bike/running path, (the Virginia Capital Trail-51 Miles from Jamestown to Shiplock Park) a playground, pool & splash pad, fishing pier, and group sites."
"The campground is in a great location to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown and is a great home base for exploring those sites. They have a modern bathhouse and a pool."
"The campground is very close to all Williamsburg activities. A great walking trail was right down the road."
"The historic-city of Williamsburg is very nearby. Also the traintrack and big road are wright next to the campground. Spots are correct some have a bit to much sun for us (there are parasols provided)"
from $46 - $235 / night
Check Availability"Our site was pull through, not sure how we would get through if there was a full campground, luckily we had room to move around. Your very close to Busch Gardens, Watercountry and Williamsburg."
"We chose one without a bathroom, and the bathhouse was a very short walk. They have plenty of recreational activities for the kids. The staff was friendly and helpful."
"The sites are quiet, very spacious, nicely spaced, some surprisingly so, but many are deceptively unlevel, particularly on the outside of the loops, and are heavily wooded."
"A bit of a long walk to the bathroom, as we need to walk around the entire loop to get to it. Gorgeous, spacious sites with electric and water at each site. Some sites back up to the St."
"This park was very convenient to Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. The staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The bathrooms were clean, air conditioned, and well supplied."
"The campground is also close to Colonial Williamsburg, and a little over an hour away (depending on traffic) from Virginia Beach and First Landing State Park. "
from $69 - $160 / night
Check Availability"There are 5,217 acres in Charles City County, Virginia. Mainly forested in the coastal plains of tidewater, Virginia. There are no established campgrounds but you can primitive camp."
"We found a campsite near the water away from the road and its secluded with trees. Stayed for a week there"
"It is a serene campground with beautiful walking trails. All the amenities for our two toddlers too… big pool outside, plus an inside pool and hottub. Also, a park, put-put + arcade room!"
"Sites 11 through 18 are in a loop around a nice kids playground, with trees surrounding the sites and glimmers of Kings Creek in the background."
"I enjoyed the location and the thought of being on a military installations always give me a very safe and welcome feeling. "
TravelerOur stay is going to be the 21 days that are allowed. In that time, I have been on many nature walks with my dog. Very enjoyable, very well maintained. The only thing I did not like is the bathrooms. I have seen a cleaning lady come through, but I think it is primarily for the sinks and toilets. The shower curtains are moldy, lots of spiders. The shower pressure and temp are great. All in all, it is affordable and very peaceful.
TravelerWe enjoyed the dispersed campsite. Lots of hiking trails and birds and cricket making music. We enjoyed taking a stroll and photos of various plants and insects.
TravelerWe enjoyed our stay at American Heritage. We were offered a change of our assigned site if we would prefer to be closer to the bath house. We preferred staying where we were until we discovered that the electric hook-up was far enough away on the grass that we couldn't reach. (We have a little Scamp 13 and the plug was just a little too short.) We had a pull-through site(every other row was pull-through).
It had a full hook-up. The cover on the electric post was missing rivets, so we had to put it back in place ourselves, but there was no problem with the electric. We used 30 Amp for the RV and plugged in our backup battery to the 15 amp plug. The water pressure was good and consistent. We've had problems at other RV sites. We used the sewer connection with no problem at the end.
We did not have an umbrella at the picnic table and seriously considered buying a screen tent because we stayed for 4 days and it was HOT. Some sites had more shade. In fact, that's one thing we'd change next time. The pool was wonderful, the showers were clean and we used the laundry with no problems--they take quarters and washing and drying one load cost $5.00.
The staff was very friendly and responsive. Overall, we had a great stay and would stay again.
ScoutWe stumbled across Davis Lakes Campground last year when we brought our camper down to visit our son and grandchildren. Originally, we planned to stay closer to Virginia Beach, but after finding Davis Lakes, we decided to give it a try. We were lucky enough to get site F28 right on the lake, and we enjoyed it so much that we came back this year—and even booked the exact same site.
After reading some of the other reviews, I wanted to share our experience because it was very different. Yes, there are some rules regarding dogs at the beach, but they never interfered with our stay. We enjoyed walking our dogs every morning around the campground and lakes, and it was a wonderful way to start each day.
The beach itself was clean, had plenty of nice chairs, and the AquaGlide was an absolute blast. We spent 5–6 hours a day swimming, and surprisingly, the beach never felt crowded.
One thing that really stood out was how fair the prices were. The campground store was stocked with essentials, and unlike many campgrounds, the prices were very reasonable. If you forgot a loaf of bread or wanted to grab a pool float, you didn’t feel like you were being gouged. They also have a cute snack shop, a spacious game room, and an impressive movie selection, making it a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.
The campground itself was clean and very well maintained. Although many of the sites are seasonal, they were neat, well cared for, and nothing like some seasonal campgrounds where sites become cluttered or run down. It was obvious that both the staff and the campers take pride in the campground.
The nightly rates were very reasonable, and while there is a visitor fee, we found it to be completely fair considering the amenities. We had an amazing time with our son and his family, and the campground played a big part in making those memories.
Davis Lakes isn’t a luxury resort, and that’s part of its charm. Its focus is on beautiful lakes, swimming, friendly service, and providing a relaxing camping experience. It reminded me of the kind of campgrounds I grew up enjoying—simple, welcoming, and centered around making great memories.
We’ll absolutely be back. If we lived closer, I’d seriously consider getting a seasonal site myself. In fact, my son is even talking about buying a camper just so he can keep it nearby and enjoy Davis Lakes more often. Many of the employees and seasonal campers are locals who return year after year, and I think that says everything you need to know about this place.
TravelerIt was very nice visit.
Travelerlove this place! Have a nice pull thru, great space, lots of trees, quiet.
TravelerPark stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
ScoutFriendly staff. Good location. Lots of noice near the big road. Laundry room could use a clearing. Bathrooms en toilets are very clean. Not much room between the spots with lots of tall weeds.
ScoutThis campground was a great location for a Virginia Beach vacation. It’s in the Chesapeake Bay so the water is calm and there is a large sandbar making for shallower waters which is great if you have littles in your trip. It was calming to stay there and spend everyday at the beach. There is hiking and biking paths as part of the park as well. I love that the shower rooms are not gendered so you don’t have a long wait to use one. I went for July 4th and was able to watch the fireworks right from the beach. So that was awesome. Overall good stay.
The Surry, Virginia area sits at elevations under 100 feet above sea level in Virginia's coastal plain, creating a landscape dominated by waterfront camping options and dense pine forests. Camping sites near Surry, Virginia provide direct access to both the James River and Chickahominy River watersheds. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making many camping locations suitable for extended season use.
Kayaking along marshlands: Near Chippokes State Park Campground, visitors can explore the waterways by kayak, with one camper noting "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland."
Fishing at night spots: The Chickahominy Riverfront Park offers unique nighttime fishing opportunities, as one visitor discovered: "There is a dock down by the boat ramp. It says no fishing. Wait until dark and ignore the sign. There's a light down there that draws the insects. The fish are everywhere."
Historical exploration: Campers use Surry as a base for visiting historical attractions. One visitor to Newport News Park shared, "Great campground close to historic sites. Camped with our travel trailer so did not use or visit the restrooms or showers. Numerous great sites to see within an hours drive."
Searching for fossils: The riverbanks in the area contain prehistoric treasures. As one camper at Newport News Park mentioned: "Hunt for sharks teeth on the beach. Pool is very clean." Fossil hunting is particularly productive after storms when shorelines are freshly eroded.
Secluded river sites: The Eagle Nest Lookout in Chickahominy WMA provides isolated camping directly on the water. According to one reviewer: "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."
Military installation camping: Active and retired military personnel appreciate Kings Creek for its base amenities. A camper explained: "Nice space between sites. You will think you are camping out in the country except for the golf course sitting right across the street. I enjoyed the location and the thought of being on a military installations always give me a very safe and welcome feeling."
Tent camping with electric: Some campgrounds offer the unusual combination of primitive tent sites with electrical hookups. A reviewer at Kings Creek noted: "The Kings Creek Campground is on the south side where the old RV park used to be, but is now for tent camping only. There are still the remnant water and electric hookups available."
Tree coverage for summer shade: The dense tree canopy at Newport News Park creates naturally cooler camping conditions. One camper observed: "Peaceful park filled with plenty of tall trees to stay cool during the summer months. Stayed 21 days (max limit) in June and temps at our site (B46) averaged about 5-10 degrees cooler than out side the park."
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the area have unexpected grading issues. At Newport News Park, a camper warned: "The sites are quiet, very spacious, nicely spaced, some surprisingly so, but many are deceptively unlevel, particularly on the outside of the loops."
Train noise at some sites: The Anvil Campground sits near active train tracks, which can be disruptive. A reviewer noted: "The cabin we stayed in was about 15 feet from the tracks. Not really a complaint from us since the kids thought it was awesome. So, just a heads up on the trains. They are loud and they are often."
WMA permit requirements: For camping at Chickahominy WMA, visitors need special permits. A reviewer mentioned: "WMA wildlife management area's require a permit, but i only stayed one night everything was just fine."
Limited cell coverage options: Cell service at campsites varies by carrier. At Newport News Park, one camper reported specific connectivity details: "AT&T had 2 bars and 6 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 8 MB/s with it. There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Pool options for hot days: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities to combat summer heat. A visitor to American Heritage RV Park shared: "Great pool and convenient to travel to several activities incl Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Va Beach and more."
Kid-friendly playground areas: Designated play spaces keep children entertained between activities. A family who stayed at Anvil Campground said: "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."
Weekend activities calendar: Scheduled programs enhance family camping experiences. A camper at Williamsburg Campground observed: "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."
Swimming beaches for small children: River beaches with gradual entry points work well for families with young children. One parent noted about Chippokes State Park Campground: "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!"
Concrete pad availability: Several campgrounds feature solid parking surfaces that simplify leveling. A reviewer at American Heritage RV Park mentioned: "Sites were concrete, level, and most had trees for shade. New section at rear of park is not well shaded but new construction."
Water hose length requirements: Some full-hookup sites have distant water connections. A Kings Creek camper advised: "You need at least a 25' hose" for reaching the hookups at some sites.
Campground Wi-Fi quality: Internet connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. An RVer at American Heritage RV Park was pleasantly surprised: "And! Pretty good wifi internet. Usually its slow, but here it works!"
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full-hookup sites, making dump stations important. A reviewer at Newport News Park explained: "There are no sewer hookups, but there is a dump station. There are a lot of low hanging branches on the roads through the park and it is showing some signs of age."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free camping available in Surry, Virginia?
Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area Site (WMA) offers free primitive camping options for Virginia residents (14-day limit). Non-residents can purchase a $4 daily pass. The site features basic parking spots in a quiet location by the water, though be aware that hunters and a shooting range are nearby on weekends. For those seeking a true dispersed camping experience, this WMA provides no amenities but offers a peaceful camping environment. While not in Surry proper, it's within reasonable driving distance and represents one of the few free camping options in the region.
What are the best campgrounds in Surry, Virginia?
Chippokes State Park Campground is one of the best options in Surry, featuring a historic working farm dating back to 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The park offers interesting mansion tours and outbuildings to explore. For those willing to travel a bit outside Surry, Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides a strategic base for exploring Virginia's Historical Triangle. The park features level sites and is conveniently located along the Virginia Capital Bike Trail, making it perfect for active campers who want to explore the surrounding historical areas.
Where can I rent an RV in Surry, Virginia?
While Surry itself has limited RV rental options, nearby American Heritage RV Park can often recommend local rental companies or may have partnerships with rental services. Located within driving distance of Surry, this park serves as a convenient base for exploring the tidewater area including Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. For those seeking RV rentals, consider checking online platforms like RVshare or Outdoorsy, which connect RV owners with renters in the area. Alternatively, major rental companies operate in nearby larger cities like Richmond or Newport News, requiring a short drive to Surry.
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