Tent Camping near Charles City, VA

Tent Camping Reviews near Charles City, VA

275 Reviews of 6 Charles City Campgrounds

• 

  liz J.

  Scout

  Aug. 21, 2023

  Sandy Bottom Nature Park

  A great place to hike and camp if you can't get out of the area

  The park is centrally located with easy highway access.  Plentiful parking, lots of trails to choose from.  The staff was top notch and super kind and helpful.  They were very insistent about the "no alcohol" rule.    

  Sites are first come, first served.  Must reserve in person.  Visitor's center is open 9-6.  

  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 with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate.  Trash cans were very close by, which was super nice.  The bathrooms were flush toilets and running water faucets and located behind the parking lot, so a bit of a hike in the dark if you need to go.  Other than that, expect no amenities.  Bugs weren't terrible but were present.  Definitely bring bug spray.  

  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.  There is no sound barrier between 64 and the park so every noise just filters right through the trees.  Not anyone's fault, but definitely a downside.  

  Overall when you consider the dirt cheap price of 10.60 per night, this campground delivers as advertised.

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• N

  N I.

  Legend

  Jan. 1, 2022

  Sandy Bottom Nature Park

  Nature in the County

  Sites: 11 primitive tent sites 2 of which are group sites 

  4 tent cabins that sit right on the edge of the lake

   The individual campsites are FCFS and you must park and hike in. It is a short hike along the lake and placed a short distance from the trail so hikers will not be hiking through the sites. You have a sand bottom tent site, picnic table, fire ring/grill and trash. This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved. This really is a great site.  There is an amazing nature center that overlooks Sandy Bottom Lake. Hiking, and biking trails, fishing, boating with boat rentals or bring your own, birding and wildlife viewing. 757-825-4657 

  LNT

  Travel safe

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• 

  Janet R.

  Legend

  May. 25, 2025

  Kings Creek

  Kings Creek Tent sites at Cheatham Annex

  There may be a bit of confusion about camping opportunities at Cheatham Annex Bass. It used to be that there was only one campground for the whole base, with a combo of RV sites and tent sites. The options have expanded and changed: a brand new RV park was built several miles away on the northside of the base, and it has its own brand new Rec Center and bath facilities etc. 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, and each site has plenty of grass for setting up tents, or you can set up on the cement pad. Each site has a picnic table, only some have fire rings. 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. Sites 1-10 in the adjacent loop are right on the water where Kings Creek enters the York River, and the sites circle round a nice picnic area. Sites 6-7 are currently not being rented out as it has been discovered that the gravesite of a Revolutionary War soldier is located right there. Both tent loops have close access to a nice clean bathhouse, and there is good proximity to the base golf course and a really nice outdoor swimming pool. A great fishing pier nearby extends out into the York River. The MWR office rents kayaks and other equipment and has a coffee shop if you want hot breakfast

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• 

  Napunani

  Legend

  Jun. 24, 2022

  Chickahominy Riverfront Park

  Needs Some Overdue TLC

  PROS 

  Perfect campground to explore the Historical Triangle 

  Campground along Virginia Capital Bike Trail, which was an excellent riding trail 

  Site#335 level side-to-side 

  Sandy gravel site 

  Moveable plastic wood picnic table 

  Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

  Shady site 

  Wood and ice for sale at Guest Services 

  Slight river view from Site#335 

  Toilet/shower building clean 

  Pool 

  CONS 

  Overused James City County Park…definitely needs some TLC applied 

  Check-in clerk very curt and extremely non-customer service oriented 

  Never saw a camp host site or the actual camp host 

  Weirdly laid out full hook up campground. Some sites are 20 ft long 

  Sites are extremely close to each other 

  Had to park tow vehicle next to trailer due to short length of site 335

  Tight roadway thru full hook up campground 

  Dirt roadways = dusty 

  Empty campsites were heavily littered

  No privacy from neighbor sites 

  Extremely low water pressure even when campground is not fully occupied 

  No gate or controlled access to campground so lots of gawking drive thrus 

  Lots of speed bumps throughout park 

  Site#335 fire ring filled with ash upon arrival 

  Toilet/shower building lit up like a Christmas tree all night long

  Street lights throughout campground 

  Road noise from VA5 

  No WiFi 

  1 bar Verizon

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• 

  RL

  Legend

  Aug. 1, 2020

  Chippokes State Park Campground

  Beautiful Plantation

  Awesome things to see here! It’s been a working farm since 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The mansion and outbuildings are pretty cool as well.

  Restrooms were not very clean. Each time I went to the ladies room, the door was propped wide open, and when I went to brush my teeth in the morning the counters were covered in moths and bugs and gnats. Yuck. The showers were ok.

  Ice is $3 and you can grab that from the camp host if it’s after 4pm which is when the store closes. It’s cash only, exactly change. Wood is $6 and there’s a metal box - pay on your honor.

  The beaches were very nice. You’re on the Cobham Bay vs. right on the river and in the dead of the summer, the water is sooo unpleasantly warm. You can wade out at the very least 100 yards and still be less than knee-deep, water still hot. 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.

  The little visitor center near the water access has cold drinks, souvenirs, ice cream, etc. They obv. accept credit cards. You can bring your dog into this area. There’s also a little wildlife info center and restrooms in the same buildings. There are also areas for day use and a good sized parking lot near the water access.

  Straight across the river is Jamestown and Williamsburg, which is cool. I think I was told it’s about four miles across. That being said... those are your closest grocery stores and you have to take the Jamestown Ferry to get there. There is a Dollar General near the park, for odds and ends. Just make sure to stop in advance for what you need because you won’t find much in Surry.

  Stopped at the Surry Seafood Co. for lunch and it was ok. Food and service was mediocre, but there was a nice water view from the deck. Was looking forward to stopping for some shrimp to cook that night from Colonial Seafood market but after walking in, I walked right back out. It was so unclean and didn’t smell fresh at all.

  We took a beautiful drive around the plantation. The cabins look great and we’ll definitely try those out next time. There were corn fields and soybeans for miles. Such a great park due to its history.

  Campsites themselves were pretty nice; not too close together. Our site had the tent pad down away from the picnic table and fire ring which was kind of nice. It was really shady, too. Room for hammocks.

  Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, lantern pole. Verizon service was great.

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• B

  Brenda L.

  Ranger

  Mar. 31, 2021

  Thousand Trails Williamsburg

  Extenuating circumstances

  We arrived on opening day (March 19, 2021) for the season. They had unfortunately been a victim of the rain and the main road to the campground had washed out. Alternative routes were set up to enter and exit. I understand from reading other reviews that they can routinely have problems when it rains . We were placed in a small site in front of the check in location. We were pre assigned a site and not given a choice. The mud and puddles were so bad we couldn’t locate the sewer connection. But the next day they came over and found it for us and leveled out some gravel piles that had been dumped on the site. The site was level and gravel. A picnic table and fire ring was available. The roads are a bit narrow and there are lots of trees. Plenty of nice area to walk our dog. We didn’t use or even go in the bathhouses so can’t comment on those. All in all it was okay... as long as it doesn’t rain. It appeared there were some full time cabin residents and camper residents as well. Location was great and we loved going into Colonial Williamsburg from here.

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• 

  Trina C.

  Guide

  Jun. 24, 2018

  Chickahominy Riverfront Park

  County Park

  This park boasts over 120 sites, some wIth river/creek views. sites are Basic: tent; Electric only: tent/pop up; Water/Electric: 20,30 amp; Water/Electric: 20-50 amp; very limited 50 amp full hookups. 2 bath houses. Group sites. No cabins. Fishing pier, pool, biking/hiking/walking trails, play ground, boat launch and small boat rentals. Reserve 12 months out, full payment required. 90 day maximum stay.

• 

  Katie M.

  Legend

  Dec. 9, 2019

  Chippokes State Park Campground

  Summer camping at Chippokes

  Love this park. Lots of biting flies and mosquitoes during the summer! The left loop sites are a good size but not much shade or privacy. I would definitely stay in the right loop area next time for tent camping. Newer bathrooms and showers. Pretty basic camping setup with fire ring and picnic table. 

  We love the pool in the summer! Free pool passes when you camp there. It has never been too crowded for us. The plantation area is pretty cool with a farming equipment museum and  farm animals. Great playgrounds for the kids. Love the hiking trails here and hunting for fossils at the beach. 

  Overall, not a bad experience, just bring your bug spray and sunscreen!

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• 

  Laura M.

  Legend

  Nov. 9, 2023

  Colonial Pines Campground At Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center

  Great place to recharge

  I will admit I was a little hesitant about coming to an RV park located within a Christian Retreat Center. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we came anyway because the price through the Passport America discount was right ($20/night for a FHU site with the discount on off-season rates, so, $40 without the discount). I was happy we came, the office staff person was so friendly and so nice and welcoming, and the campground was just great. There’s plenty of activities here- there’s a playground, a gaga ball pit, basketball court, frisbee golf course, pool, soccer field, baseball field, and some really nice walking trails in the woods (some of these might be restricted to use by retreat guests, not sure). Some basic snacks and knick knacks and clothing available for sale in the office.

  There’s laundry here, but the set up was a little awkward- there’s one washer/ dryer in the hallway of the lodge, which is a hotel-like building. It’s kind of a far walk from the campground, and there’s no place to hang out and wait for your laundry. It’s $5 for a load (wash& dry) and you can pay by credit card in the office or drop $5 in the box by the machines. Firewood available for sale here for $5, pay by venmo, at the office, or in the honor box. No alcohol allowed in the park. 

  Cell service for Verizon and ATT was pretty decent, and they have great free wifi. Showers are good and clean and free, continuous water running (no button to push).

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