The Virginia Eastern Shore offers distinct camping options for visitors to Cheriton, a small town situated between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. The region has a coastal elevation ranging from sea level to about 50 feet, creating varied camping environments from wooded areas to waterfront sites. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with higher humidity, making water activities particularly popular among campers.
What to do
Kayaking through marshlands: Launch from Chippokes State Park Campground where visitors appreciate the diverse waterways. "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland," notes Christina, who found the park ideal for water exploration.
Beach activities and shell collecting: Kiptopeke State Park Campground offers beachfront access with two distinct beach areas. "This park is a nice place to bring your family to camp, fish, crab and relax by the beach and collect seashells. It has 2 beautiful beaches, one that allows pets and the other does not," explains Annemarie R., highlighting the park's natural attractions.
Fishing for unique catches: The fishing pier at Kiptopeke State Park Campground provides opportunities for catching unusual fish species. "I did enjoy the fishing pier and got to catch fish I have never seen before. One being a searobin," says one camper who discovered that "a searobin crocks like a frog when you grab it."
Visit historical plantations: Chippokes State Park Campground offers working farm experiences with historical buildings. "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," explains Rose H.
What campers like
Waterfront camping views: The shoreline sites at Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday provide direct water access. "We stayed in water view site 10. WV sites 1-7 have great views and some shade. WV sites 8-20 are more open and close together," shares Laure D., offering specific location recommendations.
Clean facilities: Northwest River Park & Campground maintains high standards of cleanliness. "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night," reports Joseph H.
Wooded tent sites: For tent campers seeking shade, Kiptopeke State Park Campground offers secluded spots. "The only reason I am giving 4 stars is for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed my spot being in a cul-de-sac... But overall a good camping spot if you get back in the woods which are all the tent spots," notes Joseph H.
Ferry access: When staying at Chippokes State Park Campground, many campers value the nearby transportation option. "About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...it's free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids!" Philip S. explains.
What you should know
Equestrian accommodations limited: Horse campgrounds near Cheriton, Virginia are extremely limited. None of the campgrounds in the immediate Cheriton area offer dedicated equestrian facilities or horse corrals, requiring riders to travel further from the area for equine-friendly camping.
Site placement matters: At Northwest River Park & Campground, site location can significantly impact your experience. "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend. If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site," advises Nicole L.
No equine facilities: While seeking horseback riding campgrounds near Cheriton, Virginia, note that Elizabeth V. mentions Northwest River Park has "Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus" but no overnight horse accommodations are offered.
Varying site exposure: Site selection at Kiptopeke is important for comfort. "1st two rows of sites have almost ZERO tree cover. 1st row not very level sites. Not quite as spacious/spread out sites as other state parks, but it's on the bay!" advises Ashley I.
Tips for camping with families
Halloween festivities: Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday offers themed weekends throughout the year. "Stayed a few weeks before Halloween and there were plenty of festive activities going on," shares Garrett B. who enjoyed the seasonal programming.
Pool and splash pad access: Tall Pines offers multiple water recreation options for children. "The original pool from when this was Tall Pines Harbor is a traditional rectangle. The new one is larger and also has a large splash pad," details Laure D.
Child-friendly walking trails: Kiptopeke State Park features accessible paths for families. "There are wooden boardwalk trails in the park and a few of them leads to different areas on the beach. We used 2 of them that were wheel chair accessible," says Annemarie R.
Nature spotting opportunities: Kids enjoy the wildlife at Kiptopeke State Park. "Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc," notes Gabby B., who visits annually with her family.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday, specific sites offer better experiences. "We stayed at site 411 for five nights. We'd reserved 406, but Sun Outdoors turned into KOA, so we got a different site lucky us, 'cause the middle ones were swampy with almost no sitting water on sites," advises Greg S.
Optimal loop selection: Choose the right camping area at Kiptopeke State Park. "C loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop," recommends Aaron S.
Navigation tips: For Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday, arrival routes matter. "Our RV Garmin GPS and Waze brought us in on the back roads at Accomac versus keeping us on US-13. US-13 to Saxis Rd/695 is a much easier and direct route to the CG," advises MickandKarla W.
Satellite reception considerations: Tree coverage affects connectivity at some campgrounds. "Several sites have good access to satellite system," notes Cliff M. about Chesapeake Campground, while MickandKarla W. mentions "Satellite could be iffy for sites near 50 plus other areas due to the trees" at Tall Pines.
