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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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!"
Tips from RVers
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."
