Dog-Friendly Camping near Charles City, VA

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    Chickahominy Riverfront Park permits pets at all 120 sites across their tent, RV, cabin, and glamping accommodations. Tent campers and RV owners have access to full hookups with 30/50-amp electric service, while maintaining pet-friendly status throughout the grounds. Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages similarly welcomes pets in their wooded camping areas and clean, well-maintained sites alongside their lake. Williamsburg KOA, American Heritage RV Park, and Anvil Campground all offer pet-friendly options with fire rings, picnic tables, and sanitary facilities. Sites at most locations require pets remain leashed at all times when outside vehicles or camping units. Nearby Eagle Nest Lookout provides free primitive camping for those seeking a more rustic experience with pets, though the area sometimes suffers from inconsiderate visitors leaving trash behind.

    Wildlife Management Areas around Charles City provide additional options for primitive camping with dogs. Chickahominy WMA offers several cleared areas suitable for camping with pets, some within five feet of the water. Permits cost $4 daily for access to these areas, though Virginia residents with fishing or hunting licenses receive 14 days complementary camping. The Virginia Capital Bike Trail runs near several campgrounds, providing excellent dog walking opportunities. Camping near the shooting range means noise continues into evening hours. Many sites feature direct water access for fishing and dog swimming, though some areas have experienced problems with drone fishing disturbing overnight campers. Sites typically provide fire rings or pits, though amenities remain minimal at primitive locations where campers must pack out all trash and waste.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Charles City (56)

      1. Chickahominy Riverfront Park

      4.0(19)12mi from Charles CityRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Huge grass area to walk the dogs or hit golf balls. Trails lead to hidden docks or beaches on the river. Full hook up. We hit Colonial Williamsburg and Busch Gardens from here."

      "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."

      2. Pocahontas State Park Campground

      4.5(81)28mi from Charles City131 sitesGlamping

      "They even installed maintenance equipment at the entrance of each new trail so you can make minor adjustments without carrying your own equipment."

      "Largest State Park in Virginia - nearly 8,000 acres. We stayed two nights and paddled around Swift Creek Lake on Sunday. The staff was amazing."

      from $37 - $459 / night

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      3. Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages

      4.6(7)9mi from Charles CityRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "They have a cute little park that was perfect for my 3 and 5 year old, a big pond for fishing, and it’s such a pretty area if you’d like to go for a nice walk as well, they were all super nice and all"

      "There is a huge lake to go fishing, great restuarant nearby, the campground had a barbeque dinner for everyone. Lots of trails to walk. "

      from $30 - $45 / night

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      4. Williamsburg Campground

      4.0(27)19mi from Charles CityRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      "roasted s’mores. the general store was fully stocked. the pool and water park area were my daughter’s favorite. they had big jumpy things for the kids, an out door movie theater and a nice playground. our dog"

      5. American Heritage RV Park

      3.8(16)17mi from Charles City6 sitesRVs, Cabins

      "Well kept, family and pet friendly. Nice pool and clean bathrooms. Sites are blacktop with concrete patio pads."

      "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."

      from $69 - $160 / night

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      6. Anvil Campground

      4.0(20)19mi from Charles City8 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Pet friendly. Features: beach park, dog park, nature trails, play grounds, corn hole, tiki toss, arcade..... Beautiful new bath house. Discount tickets to attractions available."

      "The campground is very close to all Williamsburg activities. A great walking trail was right down the road."

      from $46 - $235 / night

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      7. Eagle Nest Lookout

      3.8(6)10mi from Charles City

      "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."

      "There's a couple more conventional pull outs before it and I stayed at one which was relatively peaceful besides someone going birdshooting with their incredibly panicked dog nearby and someone running"

      8. Rockahock Campgrounds & Resort RV Park

      2.8(6)9mi from Charles CityRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      9. Thousand Trails Williamsburg

      4.0(11)17mi from Charles CityRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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!"

      10. Chickahominy WMA

      3.3(3)10mi from Charles CityRVs, Tents

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Charles City, VA

    452 Reviews of 56 Charles City Campgrounds


    • Donita A.
      Sep. 26, 2019

      Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay

      Very Nice

      This is the first time we have camped at this Thousand Trails RV Resort and we were pleasantly surprised. Beautiful campground that is well maintained. This campground is very family oriented and offers an abundance of activities for children and adults alike. It is also pet friendly and offers a dog park for your furry friends. We will definitely be back!!

    • Trina C.
      Jun. 24, 2018

      Anvil Campground

      Fantastic campground with a multitude of amenities!

      Beautiful recently renovated family owned/run campground since 1954. Super friendly staff! All sites provide 50/30/20 amp electric, water, cable and WiFi. Premium to standard include sewer. Big rig friendly, log cabins and cottages. Only campground to provide shuttle service to area attractions, events and restaurants. Pet friendly. Features: beach park, dog park, nature trails, play grounds, corn hole, tiki toss, arcade..... Beautiful new bath house. Discount tickets to attractions available. Reservations recommended, deposit required.

    • NThe Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 13, 2021

      Eagle Nest Lookout

      Huck Fin Delight

      This is in the Chickahominy WMA on the far end and along the James River. 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. This campsite is exceptional for those that like to primitive camp. You can't see it from the road but there is a beaten narrow path that leads from the end of the road up to a small knoll. At the top is an area about 20 feet wide covered in mature trees with a view of the James River. You are able to park down below and carry your gear the short distance. No water, no toilet, Pack it in, Pack it out. LNT. There is a fire ring and a fire pit. The ground is well tamped down. Please take care of the amazing spot. There is a boat ramp of sorts just below the campsite. 37.316858-76.881031 

      Pack it in, Pack it out

      LNT 

      Travel safe

    • NThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 1, 2022

      Newport News Park

      Uptown Country

      Sites: 188 

      Reservations: 757-888-3333 or 800-203-8322 

      Fees: $33.00-$50.00 

      24 hour security 

      Store, heated showers, toilets, picnic table, grills, dump station, electric and water hookups, laundry, playground, group sites Pets welcome with a rabies certificate This is a beautiful country, woodland natural setting with RV/tent sites interspersed among the forest with nice separation between sites. Paved road in good shape. There is an 18 hole championship disc golf, archery range, Fido Field dog park giving the fur babies an acre to roam. The park itself has 7,111 acres to include a aero model field. Hiking, biking, birding, so may options and pursuits. 

      LNT 

      Travel safe

    • Taylor D.
      Oct. 30, 2020

      Americamps RV Resort

      Most Dog-Friendly

      Enjoyed my corner pull-through site F2 even though it was gravel with some muddy spots. There are some paved spots near the entrance (7-10 and 15-19 plus VIP 1 & 2). Fire pits and wood for $6 upon request. Nice office with two small dogs to greet you and a jar of dog treats. Was decked out for Halloween during my stay, and the flower beds, pond, playground, basketball court and dog park were among the nicest. There is even an on-site dog walker, so dog people will really appreciate staying here. I noticed one side of the park (around site 22) is very noisy during the work day as there is a big lumber yard there. The proximity to the Great Outdoors and a couple of cute pub houses was a nice surprise. Recycling dumpster on site.

    • B
      Aug. 21, 2019

      Williamsburg Campground

      Very nice campground

      The cabin we stayed in was very nice. It had a very large back deck with a picnic table. 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 playgrounds and pool were very clean, and the store had everything we needed. It is a very short drive off the highway and an easy commute to all of Williamsburg’s attractions. My only complaint is that my dogs typically travel everywhere with me, but I was not allowed to bring them on this trip because pit bulls are the ONLY breed they don’t allow on the campgrounds. However, if you have other breeds there is a very small dog park for them to run around and play. Other than that we really enjoyed our stay and will definitely stay at other KOAs when the dogs are not with us.

    • Brandon W.
      May. 4, 2019

      Sandy Bottom Nature Park

      Great for outdoor activities

      This campsite and park is a ton of fun. We've never camped here but we lived about 5 minutes down the road from the park and absolutely loved it. 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. There are kayaks and paddle boats you can rent by the hour. This park has plenty of camping spots and also has some yurts that are available to rent out. I would recommend this spot to anyone who wants a convenient family friendly camping/outdoor experience.

    • Amy I.
      Jun. 7, 2018

      Williamsburg Campground

      our first trip in Tex the Apex

      this was our first trip in our travel trailer, so we didn’t know what to expect. the campground was very clean, we constantly saw crew keeping it up. we had a campfire and roasted s’mores. the general store was fully stocked. the pool and water park area were my daughter’s favorite. they had big jumpy things for the kids, an out door movie theater and a nice playground. our dog enjoyed the dog park.

    • Sean M.
      Jun. 12, 2022

      Williamsburg Campground

      Great Choice in Williamsburg

      One of the best campgrounds we’ve stayed at. It’s our first experience with a KOA, and so far impressed. The whole campground is shady, and while some sites appear pretty on top of one another most, including ours, are are standard. Great amenities, including a pool and a small splash pad. The jumping pillows are awesome for the kids. The only criticisms are that the dog park is very small, and the sewer hook up for our site is nearly above the outlet (although this seems site specific). We are in Williamsburg a lot and will definitely be back.


    Guide to Charles City

    Camping near Charles City offers a mix of primitive and developed sites along the James and Chickahominy Rivers. The region sits in Virginia's coastal plain at elevations under 100 feet, with warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures commonly reach 90°F with high humidity, creating ideal conditions for water-based recreation during camping stays from April through October.

    What to do

    Explore historical sites: Visit Chippokes State Park Campground, where the plantation showcases agricultural history. "This hidden gem is just a short distance from Williamsburg but yet so remote! The still working farm and homes are a treasure of how life and farms ran back in the day and how they can survive into the future," explains Rose H.

    Water activities: The Chickahominy River provides excellent kayaking opportunities. A camper at Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages notes, "There is a huge lake to go fishing, great restuarant nearby, the campground had a barbeque dinner for everyone. Lots of trails to walk."

    Bike riding: The Virginia Capital Trail runs near several campgrounds. At Chickahominy Riverfront Park, one visitor mentioned, "A few places to access the water and about as close as you can get to the capital trail."

    Shark teeth hunting: Search the beaches at Chippokes State Park where visitors report finding shark teeth fossils. Danielle H. recommends you "Hunt for sharks teeth on the beach. Pool is very clean."

    What campers like

    Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer generous spacing between sites. At American Heritage RV Park, Sharon B. appreciates that "There was decent space between the sites, though of course not like what you find at a state park!"

    Water access: Direct waterfront access makes fishing and swimming convenient. Liz M. from Chickahominy Riverfront Park shares, "Spacious campsite with amazing views. Could take kayaks straight into the water from our site."

    Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained bathrooms. One visitor at Pocahontas State Park commented, "Well laid out sites, clean restrooms and showers."

    Swimming options: From lakes to pools, water recreation remains popular. A camper at Williamsburg KOA appreciated that "They have a pool with a sprayground and a grassy area with ping pong and corn hole. Plus, they always have activities for the kids."

    What you should know

    Seasonal considerations: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Ed Allen's Campground operates from March 28 to November 15, while others like Chippokes State Park run from "last Friday in March to first Monday in December."

    Train noise: Some campers report railroad disruptions near certain campgrounds. At Anvil Campground, Alexas H. warns, "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."

    Wildlife management permits: For primitive camping in Wildlife Management Areas, permits cost $4 daily, though Virginia residents with valid fishing or hunting licenses receive 14 days complementary camping.

    Site variations: Campground terrain varies significantly. At Thousand Trails Williamsburg, Brenda L. notes, "The roads are a bit narrow and there are lots of trees. Plenty of nice area to walk our dog. All in all it was okay... as long as it doesn't rain."

    Tips for camping with families

    Pool options: Kids enjoy water features at several dog friendly campgrounds near Charles City. At Chippokes State Park, Virginia B. reports, "Great Campground! We took 6 teenagers camping and they had a blast! Especially the pool!"

    Playground facilities: Many campgrounds provide play areas. A visitor at Williamsburg Campground enjoyed the amenities: "Many activities scheduled on the weekends. Lots of families camping. Indoor and outdoor pools. Decent spacing between sites."

    Educational activities: Historical sites offer learning opportunities. Katie B. from Chickahominy Riverfront Park recommends the Virginia Creeper bike trail: "it went for miles and was beautiful!!! Next time!"

    Dog-friendly beach access: Shallow water areas work well for children and pets. Susan P. found Chippokes State Park perfect: "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!"

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection: Reserve carefully based on rig size. At American Heritage RV Park, one RVer recommends requesting concrete pad sites: "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."

    Utility connections: Several parks offer full hookups with varying amperage. Austin H. at Chickahominy notes they have "full hookup 30 amp 50 amp fresh water dump station sewage hookup."

    Pull-through availability: Some parks specialize in easy-access sites. American Heritage RV Park provides "138 sites mostly pull thru's with full hookups 30/50amps just minutes off the highway I-64."

    Road conditions: Narrow campground roads can challenge larger rigs. At Thousand Trails Williamsburg, one camper cautions about access: "Getting to the actual 'resort' is difficult, hard to find and small roads. The sites are close, many are not level, not very big rig friendly and satellite is near impossible due to trees."

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Charles City, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Charles City, VA is Chickahominy Riverfront Park with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Charles City, VA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 56 dog-friendly camping locations near Charles City, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.