6 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Sun Outdoors Cape Charles welcomes pets at multiple accommodation types including tent sites, RV spots, cabins, glamping options, and yurts. Kiptopeke State Park Campground also permits pets throughout its facilities with clean, pet-appropriate spaces. Both campgrounds maintain specific leash requirements and designated pet relief areas to ensure all guests have a comfortable experience. The whole family had a wonderful time during Halloween weekends at Sun Outdoors, with pets included in the camping experience. Sunset Beach Resort and First Landing State Park Campground extend their pet-friendly policies to tent campers, RV travelers, and cabin guests, making Cape Charles a comprehensive destination for pet owners seeking outdoor accommodations. Virginia Beach KOA and Cape Charles Chesapeake Bay KOA feature dedicated spaces where pets can safely exercise while remaining within campground boundaries.
The Chesapeake Bay shoreline provides numerous opportunities for dogs to enjoy water activities alongside their owners at these campgrounds. Fishing docks, beach areas, and bay access points accommodate leashed pets with appropriate waste disposal facilities nearby. Dogs must remain under control at all times due to wildlife in the region and proximity to other campers. Sunset Beach Resort's location directly on the beach allows for morning and evening pet walks along the water. During peak summer months, early morning and evening walks are recommended to avoid hot sand that can burn sensitive paw pads. Cape Charles town offers pet-friendly shops and restaurants within a 10-minute drive from most campgrounds. Bathrooms at campgrounds receive frequent cleaning, which benefits those traveling with pets who need regular access to water sources. Many campsites feature picnic tables and fire rings positioned to allow adequate space for pet containment systems or tie-outs while still maintaining proximity to camping activities.
"Virginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. Its got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails."
"Very nice, as all Virginia State Parks are, but crowded, noisy, and lit up like an amusement park."
Available this weekend
from $32 - $413 / night
"There are four fishing piers, miniature golf, basketball court, baseball diamond, five pools (including one that is adult only), a large dog park, and much, much more."
"The close proximity to Cape Charles made this place stand out for me!! But rest assured that if you don’t want to leave the campground there is no need too!!"
"We live on the other side of Virginia, but have enjoyed returning to First Landing whenever we get the chance. We love the fact that we can visit the beach AND camp."
"20 miles of Trails!! Lots of trails to hike and mountain/hybrid bike. We were surprised at the quality and the number of trails available. We were never bored."
Available this weekend
from $32 - $147 / night
"They also have a separate dog beach, where my dogs lived their best life."
"We wanted to visit Cape Charles and chose the KOA as our base. Arrived on a Sunday (went to dinner at the onsite restaurant on the bay). "
"On-site restaurant and on Bay Beach within walking distance. Very nice bath houses."
"Our campspot was a short walk to the beach which is nice."
"we camped Cape Charles KOA on Memorial Day Weekend. Everything flowed easy starting at checkin. We paid in full in advance so we just had to go to the ranger station and get our site info."
from $59 - $89 / night
"Easy access to Cape Charles and Chincoteague/Assateague. We will be back."
"Was a nice place to stay about 1.5 hour drive to either Virginia Beach or assateage."
"They do have a heated indoor pool, laundry, numerous restrooms, and a great dog park. There is yard/tiki art and paintings around the park."
"We stayed for the weekend with our 4 kids and dog. There were lots of other pups there and tons of activities for the kids."
from $25 - $92 / night
"The Virginia Beach KOA is a nice place to stay. Plenty of things to do every day. This is a newly renovated KOA, and they added a lot of new sites. Also a new pool with a lazy River."
"Definitely plenty to do and a short Uber distance to the World Famous Virginia Beach."
"Lovely small campground located inside a National Park land. Full hookup sites are named after the original 13 colonies. Nicely situated between Williamsburg, Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach."
"You are surrounded by water. The rate was 30 a night for a tent site. No water or electric. Which is very reasonable compared to other places I looked at. The store prices were reasonable."
from $25 - $59 / night
GuideThere are not a lot of spaces available but still a decent amount. They spread out amongst several roads leading down to the water. The trees surrounding are gorgeous. There is a shooting range nearby but we didn’t mind the sound.
TravelerDO NOT WAIST YOUR MONEY! THIS IS A SCAM!! Our 3 campsites flooded with 6 inches of water within an hour of arriving before high tide. Very difficult to get ahold of staff due to limited hours of business. I have requested a refund for failure to render services due to unusable campsites. I have left several voicemails and sent emails with attached pictures. Management has been avoiding my phone calls, will not call back. Very unprofessional. I received one call from"management" at 7:20 pm to tell me that he received a message to call me, but he hasn't looked into why he needs to call me and he will call back the next day. I never heard back from him and that was a week ago. I have followed up daily with phone calls without a return phone call. My family makes several camping trips through the year, will never return here.
TravelerGenerous sized sites but only semi-private. Excellent facilities
ScoutThis campground was very enjoyable. I spent a lot of time at the fishing pier, learning to ID birds I had never identified before. Brown pelicans were everywhere near the sunken ships. I also talked to the Hawkwatch people for a bit.
My campsite was far enough from the bathroom I couldn't hear the door slam, but since I was the only one in the F loop, that wouldn't have mattered. Since the loop was so empty, it was an absolute pleasure.
Had the campground been full, I would have felt too close to the people in tents in the sites next to me.
One great thing was that there weren't tent pads so we didn't have to worry about how to fit two tents on to one tent pad.
GuideEnjoying this campground. Close to all the attractions. Incredible staff, super friendly. Pool and game room are wonderful.
TravelerNote to Self: No Primitive Site reservations...EVER. I love this park. It's situated far enough from the busy traffic noise...beautiful Virginia city of Hayes. When I arrived, it was such a scorching day and there wasn't nearly enough tree cover to shield my tent from the "son of Hades". Suffered heat exhaustion almost to the point of death...Literally. Night was my only respite. If it hadn't been for the wonderful camp attendants who came to my rescue, it would've been an utterly failed experience. Bless their hearts. Other than that, this was a great training experience for an old Novice camper. Now that I'm a bit more practiced, I'm going back 😁, armed with knowledge and more confidence.
TravelerThe good: super clean and new restrooms / showers. The entire parking immaculate. Stayed at site 12. Offers water views and shade. Site 13 is similar and is probably the most ideal site.
Cons: zero privacy. The sites are basically scattered around an open grassy area and fairly close together.
Be aware: sites are not vehicle accessible. Need to carry your kit 50-75 yards.
GuideOur 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.
Kiptopeke State Park Campground offers full hookup sites in loop C for RVers, with spots 15-21 providing optimal shade at the back of the loop. The campground features both pet-friendly and pet-restricted beach areas along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline, with wooden boardwalk trails connecting different sections of the park. Fall and early spring provide milder temperatures for camping near Cape Charles, typically ranging from 50-75°F with moderate humidity compared to summer months.
Crabbing and fishing: The Chesapeake Bay offers abundant opportunities for catching unique marine species at Kiptopeke State Park Campground. "I did enjoy the fishing pier and got to catch fish I have never seen before. One being a searobin. By the way a searobin crocks like a frog when you grab it," notes Annemarie R., who advises caution when handling certain species.
Kayaking to barrier islands: The Eastern Shore provides excellent launching points for water exploration. "I use the park as a base for exploring the barrier island on the ocean side by kayak," shares Stuart M. Most campgrounds rent basic equipment, but serious paddlers should bring their own gear for extended trips.
Mini-golf and water recreation: Family-friendly activities abound at Sun Outdoors Cape Charles, where "mini golf and paddleboats" are available alongside "five swimming pools, very clean and well maintained," according to Susan P. Activity costs typically range from $5-15 per person.
Bay views and wildlife: The waterfront location at Thousand Trails Virginia Landing provides unique nature viewing opportunities. "The scenery is amazing, especially at dusk and dawn," notes Robert P. Many campers report seeing "fiddler crabs and a few blue crabs and a hermit crab" along the shoreline, according to Jeremiah K.
Historical surroundings: Several campgrounds near Cape Charles are situated on or near historic sites. The Colonies RV Park is "located on historic Fort Monroe, VA the fort has a lot to offer," explains Becky W., with "water on two sides with excellent walking area."
Seasonal entertainment: Many campgrounds organize special events throughout the year. One visitor to Cape Charles / Chesapeake Bay KOA shares, "Went for a Halloween weekend, big campground, lots of spots," with festive activities for all ages.
Campsite spacing varies: Site proximity differs significantly between campgrounds. At Kiptopeke, "the only reason I am giving 4 stars is for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed my spot being in a cul-de-sac. But driving back to my spot I noticed all the A and B spots for trailers are just on top of each other," reports Joseph H.
Weather considerations: The Chesapeake Bay region experiences significant seasonal variation. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. One camper at First Landing State Park Campground advises, "I wouldn't recommend tent camping in the middle of summer - my husband and i both got sick."
Military proximity: Some campgrounds are located near military installations. Campers staying at First Landing should "be warned if you go to the southern side of the park near the beach that you will be very close to a US military base called Fort Story. You may hear occasional machine guns and artillery. You will also hear reveille in the morning," according to Nita D.
Off-season advantages: For pet friendly camping near Cape Charles, Virginia with fewer crowds, consider visiting during shoulder seasons. "We come every year because it's on our top list of yearly visits. The beach and staff there are nice. Crabbing and fishing there's very popular. Very pet friendly and they also made a beach side for pets to swim at," explains Gabby B. about Kiptopeke.
Transportation options: When staying at Virginia Beach KOA, utilize the convenient shuttle service to avoid parking hassles. "They have transportation via Trolly bus that comes through frequently throughout the day to transport you to Various beach side activities where otherwise you would have to pay for parking," shares Marc W.
Wildlife education: Turn nature encounters into learning opportunities. "The park is wide-open, which provided plenty of space for kids to roam and explore. Virginia Landing is located right on the shore and we felt perfectly comfortable allowing the kids to freely run around and engage in activities they don't typically (i.e. clamming, kite flying)," writes Jason G.
Site selection strategy: When booking at Kiptopeke, "Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop," advises Aaron S. Most Cape Charles area campgrounds have limited shade, so securing one of these spots significantly improves comfort in warmer months.
Terrain awareness: Many Eastern Shore campgrounds have variable ground conditions. At The Colonies RV Park, "The site was half gravel and half grass. The grading wasn't great and the gravel was thin. Lots of water puddles and the grass was swampy," reports Rebecca E., suggesting RVers should bring leveling blocks and ground mats.
Utility connections: Full hookup availability varies by campground and specific loops. At Kiptopeke, "C loop has full hookup where A and B do not," notes Aaron S. RVers requiring sewer hookups should verify availability when making reservations, as premium sites often book 3-6 months in advance during peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Cape Charles, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cape Charles, VA is Kiptopeke State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 56 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Cape Charles, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 57 dog-friendly camping locations near Cape Charles, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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