Best Campgrounds near Chesapeake, VA

Chesapeake, Virginia and the surrounding area provide a variety of camping experiences across several established campgrounds. Northwest River Park & Campground, located within Chesapeake city limits, offers tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with boat access to the river. Nearby Virginia Beach hosts First Landing State Park Campground, featuring tent camping, RV sites, and cabins under a canopy of live oaks along the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The region includes multiple mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate both tent and RV campers, with several offering glamping options and waterfront access. Most facilities provide electric hookups, water, and sanitary stations, while a few primitive camping areas exist for those seeking a more rustic experience.

Camping availability extends year-round at several locations, though Northwest River Park operates seasonally from April through November. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer months when waterfront sites fill quickly. The coastal location means campers should prepare for humidity and occasional strong winds, especially at beachfront locations. Most campgrounds feature well-maintained access roads suitable for standard vehicles, though larger RVs may find navigation challenging in some areas. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with most campgrounds offering WiFi access. According to one visitor at First Landing State Park, "The campground is situated on the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia Beach. We loved the beach here because we have six small grandkids and they could play in the water without the worry of large waves and heavy tides."

Campers consistently highlight water access as a primary attraction in the area. First Landing State Park receives particularly high ratings for its beach access and trails, with visitors appreciating the balance between natural surroundings and proximity to urban amenities. Several reviewers noted the unique opportunity to camp near both the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Families appreciate the shallow, calm waters at many beachfront sites, making them ideal for children. While most campgrounds offer standard amenities like showers and picnic tables, visitors should note that sites can be tightly spaced during peak season. A reviewer of Northwest River Park mentioned, "I have spent my childhood here and I am excited to share it with my kids. Chesapeake Public Park's does a great job with events and education at NWRP!"

Best Camping Sites Near Chesapeake, Virginia (60)

    1. First Landing State Park Campground

    118 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 412-2300

    $28 - $40 / night

    "Pros-

    Quiet location 

    Beach trails

    Beach Access close by overlooking the Chesapeake Bay

    Lots of food and stores near by

    Dump station

    Little Aquarium

    Boardwalk

    Cons-

    Very tight spots and roads"

    "FLSP is a real Gem in the midst of a very busy Virginia Beach. The campsites range from tenting with no hookups to 20, 30, and 50 foot sites with water and electric."

    2. Holiday Trav-L-Park

    44 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (866) 849-8860

    $25 - $92 / night

    "We stayed at Holiday Trav-L-Park in Virginia Beach for the first time for 3 nights in July.  As our travel trailer is small, we were able to stay in site #152. "

    "I stayed here to go to a concert in downtown Virginia Beach when high-season hotel rates made booking a room too pricey."

    3. Virginia Beach KOA

    37 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 428-1444

    "Definitely plenty to do and a short Uber distance to the World Famous Virginia Beach."

    "You can take trolley to Virginia Beach. The pools were clean and lots for kids to do without leaving."

    4. Northwest River Park & Campground

    19 Reviews
    Moyock, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 421-7151

    $21 - $36 / night

    "Chesapeake Public Park’s does a great job with events and education at NWRP! Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus."

    "Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic."

    5. Chesapeake Campground

    6 Reviews
    Williamsburg, VA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 485-0149

    6. North Landing Beach

    15 Reviews
    Knotts Island, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 426-6241

    "This one is a bit out of the way for Virginia Beach, but that also means a quiet stay, unlike the more popular campgrounds underneath the Naval Air Stations runways!"

    "This location was PERFECT! It warmed up enough to enjoy the beach which was a 5 minute walk from cabin."

    7. North Bayshore Campground

    12 Reviews
    Virginia Beach, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 426-7911

    $55 - $85 / night

    "Close to Virginia Beach & Sandbridge. Pet friendly."

    "Wonderful spot away from crowds but close to beach. Tent, RV or “ tiny cabin” options. Clean, quiet and pretty. Canal runs around campground that gives you access to Back Bay. Pool and playground."

    8. False Cape State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Knotts Island, VA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 426-7128

    $20 / night

    "We’ve lived so close to this park for so long and I regret not coming sooner. This park is 5+ miles from the Little Island Park Parking lot, where you have to park if you’re staying overnight."

    "False Cape is a primitive campground that can only be accessed by walking or biking through the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge along the southern coast of Virginia."

    9. Davis Lakes Resort

    8 Reviews
    Suffolk, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 539-1191

    $72 - $105 / night

    "The lakes are fun and we always have a great time. Some sites are amazing. Only 4 stars because of proximity to highway."

    "We had a personal guide to show us the location of our campsite. Campsites had wood decks which would be nice in warmer weather. Close to highway but reasonably quiet at night"

    10. Sandy Point Resort Campground

    8 Reviews
    Knotts Island, NC
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (252) 429-3094

    $20 - $60 / night

    "This location is great for that."

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Recent Reviews near Chesapeake, VA

596 Reviews of 60 Chesapeake Campgrounds


  • Aaron S.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    A great place!

    This is a great campground. Well maintained, nice and quiet. C loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Plenty to do, hiking, fishing, birding. Camp store is nice, the staff for the park are great. The bathhouses are a little dirty, but not terrible. One of our favorite places to camp for sure! Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They’re shaded and at the back of the loop.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Anvil Campground

    Everything was there on a small surface

    Little pool, nice playground, games the kids where very happy. The historic-city of Williamsburg is very nearby. Also the traintrack and big road are wright next to the campground. Spots are correct some have a bit to much sun for us (there are parasols provided)

  • L
    Aug. 31, 2025

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Great place as always, small site

    Love coming here every year. This site, while convenient to the bathroom, is small, no privacy, is part of the pathway to the bathroom and has a slight sewer oder.

  • Leo S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Military Park Fort Story Cape Henry RV Park

    Disconnect and enjoy long walks

    Cellular signal and Starlink won't work well here and the campground WiFi isn't great. But in the true spirit of camping, this is a great place to disconnect and take long walks around the base and the beach. The express store nearby has limited hours but the fitness center allows for 24/7 access if you register your ID card with MWR.

  • Leo S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Virginia Beach KOA

    Off season gem

    Prices come way down during the off season. Much of the facilities are closed but they keep open one of their bathhouses. Otherwise it's a peaceful stay in the winter months.

  • a
    Aug. 11, 2025

    Virginia Beach KOA

    Va Beach KOA

    Nice, large sites, 2 pool, 1 lazy river. 1 stocked store. Planned activities.

  • C
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Virginia Beach RV Resort

    Good stay for simple camping

    We picked this site for its proximity to the beach. Site #4 was level and had full hookups. It was a bit tricky to get our setup into but was accomplished once I determined the best way to maneuver. The playground was basic, but a playground non the less. Pools were nice and never really crowded. There is no on site camp store, and we did not find ice as advertised. We also had to treat our lot/camper for ants but given the location we figured as much. We have AT&T and Verizon and both picked up well. The WiFi didn’t seem to exist unless you were close to their buildings. Everyone was friendly and was a nice quiet getaway to let the kids ride bikes and fish. All in all, we enjoyed our vacation and would book here again.

  • Jadon B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 10, 2025

    North Bayshore Campground

    Summer Fun

    We got a RV site for 2 nights, #99. We really liked the campgrounds. Everyone was very welcoming! Lots of things to do. We drove 20mins to the beach, paid $25 for 24hr oversized vehicle parking.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Great experience

    The camp ground is beautiful and the people are friendly. Our game ground was surrounded by the forest but your in walking distance to the beach. The shower and rest rooms are sit up nicely the best I’ve seen at a campground. The beach is more secluded and you’re close to all the activities that Virginia Beach has to offer. There is also trails that are on the campground near there visitors center.


Guide to Chesapeake

Camping sites near Chesapeake, Virginia offer diverse ecological experiences from coastal bay waters to forested settings. The region features low elevation camping with humid summer conditions and temperatures typically ranging from 70-90°F between May and September. Most campgrounds in the Chesapeake area maintain good cell service, though signal strength can vary at locations farther from urban centers, particularly at primitive sites along Back Bay.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Northwest River Park provides direct access to freshwater fishing with boat rentals available. According to one camper, "Plenty of things to do for the active camper. Put put golf, kayak, hiking and much more."

Water sports: North Landing Beach offers kayaking and beach activities in a more secluded setting. A visitor noted, "Nice beach. Great pool. Plenty to do. Best pizza around!"

Trail exploration: At False Cape State Park Campground, hikers can explore unique coastal ecosystems. One reviewer shared, "We hiked over 30 miles over the weekend, there's so much to do, we are exhausted! We saw dolphins playing in the ocean!"

Beach access: The region offers multiple beach environments from calm bay waters to ocean waves. A camper at Virginia Beach KOA mentioned, "We rode the quick 3 miles to the boardwalk during the day" while another noted they "spent 5 days here as our main stay."

What campers like

Privacy levels: Tent campers appreciate the secluded sites at certain campgrounds. One reviewer at North Bayshore Campground shared, "Tent sites are along a waterway to a boat ramp so in the morning boats will go by, otherwise very peaceful and quiet all night."

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. A visitor to First Landing State Park commented, "Clean, up-to-date facilities. Large laundry room. Close to the bay and a few minutes drive to ocean beaches and the boardwalk."

Wildlife viewing: The region's diverse ecosystems support abundant wildlife. A camper at False Cape State Park wrote, "Wildlife is in great abundance. Shorebirds and waterfowl with the setting or rising sun make for beautiful pictures!"

Military presence: Some campers appreciate the unique proximity to military operations. A reviewer noted, "You may hear occasional machine guns and artillery. You will also hear reveille in the morning. It was not terribly bad."

What you should know

Seasonal crowds: Summer months bring significant visitor increases. A Holiday Trav-L-Park visitor mentioned, "We would've felt a little claustrophobic if it were the summer, but this was great for us in the off season."

Weather challenges: Coastal storms can affect camping conditions. A Northwest River Park camper warned, "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend."

Transportation options: Some campgrounds provide shuttle services to popular attractions. A visitor to Virginia Beach KOA noted, "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."

Camping restrictions: Several campgrounds have specific rules regarding pets, alcohol, and fires. At False Cape State Park, "There are no campfires allowed at False Cape, but the proximity to the beach and the solitude can't be beat."

Tips for camping with families

Activity planning: Family-oriented campgrounds offer structured activities for children. A Holiday Trav-L-Park visitor shared, "We enjoyed biking all over the place (including a family-friendly bike trail to the VB boardwalk), playing on the many small playgrounds, swimming in the dome-covered pool."

Water safety: Bay waters provide safer swimming than ocean beaches for young children. According to a camper at First Landing State Park Campground, "My extended family has been camping here for years. The facilities are great and there is easy access to the beach. Would definitely recommend to any family that wants to start camping."

Shade considerations: Summer heat can be intense at exposed sites. One camper noted, "We were in site 156 which was right near a boardwalk and a bathhouse" while another mentioned, "The camp ground is beautiful and the people are friendly. Our game ground was surrounded by the forest but you're in walking distance to the beach."

Campsite selection: During wet periods, site elevation matters. A Northwest River Park visitor advised, "If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site."

Tips from RVers

Hookup variations: RV sites offer different levels of amenities across campgrounds. A visitor to North Landing Beach noted, "RV sites range include water, electric, pull-through and full amenities."

Site spacing: Some campgrounds provide more room between sites than others. A Davis Lakes Resort camper shared, "Campsites are pretty close together. Good for a night passing through, but I wouldn't stay beyond that."

Seasonal pricing: Significant cost differences exist between peak and off-peak times. A Virginia Beach KOA visitor mentioned, "Prices come way down during the off season. Much of the facilities are closed but they keep open one of their bathhouses."

Reservation timing: Prime waterfront sites book quickly, especially for holiday weekends. One visitor recommended, "We spent a week here in the off season. The site was half gravel and half grass. The grading wasn't great and the gravel was thin."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping sites in Chesapeake, VA?

Chesapeake Campground offers drive-in sites with water, toilets, and accommodations for larger RVs. This family-friendly option provides basic amenities and is centrally located in the Chesapeake area. For those seeking a riverside experience, Davis Lakes Resort near Suffolk provides camping sites around scenic lakes with fishing opportunities. Both campgrounds are reservable and equipped with the essential facilities needed for a comfortable stay. These options provide good access to local attractions while offering different camping environments—from traditional campground settings to lakeside retreats.

What tent camping facilities are available in Chesapeake?

First Landing State Park Campground offers excellent tent camping options with sites nestled among live oak trees. The tent sites provide a mystical forest experience, and many are within walking distance of the beach. For a more local option, Northwest River Park & Campground in Chesapeake provides peaceful tent sites with basic amenities. Both campgrounds feature bathhouses with showers, fresh water access, and fire rings at most sites. First Landing's tent sites are on sandy ground for comfortable sleeping, while Northwest River Park offers a more traditional wooded camping experience with hiking trails and water activities nearby.

Are there free camping options available near Chesapeake?

Free camping options are limited near Chesapeake, but budget-conscious campers can find some alternatives. False Cape State Park Campground offers primitive camping at reasonable rates, though not free. The remoteness provides a secluded experience for those seeking to minimize costs while enjoying nature. For military personnel and veterans, Military Park Fort Story Cape Henry RV Park offers significantly discounted camping options. While truly free dispersed camping is not readily available in the immediate Chesapeake area, these lower-cost alternatives provide more affordable access to outdoor experiences in the region.

Where can I find waterfront camping on the Chesapeake Bay?

Sun Outdoors Cape Charles offers premium waterfront camping directly on the Chesapeake Bay. This family-friendly resort features paddleboats, a waterpark, and boat rentals for bay excursions. The campground includes a general store and recreation options, making it ideal for extended stays. For those seeking a different bay experience, North Bayshore Campground provides boat-in and drive-in access with water and toilet facilities. Both locations offer stunning views of the bay, water recreation opportunities, and the chance to experience spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the Chesapeake waters.