Campers visiting Chesapeake, Virginia will find diverse camping options within a 30-minute drive radius. The coastal region sits at near sea level with mild winters and humid summers averaging 87°F in July. Many campsites in this area border waterways that connect to the Intracoastal Waterway, with spring camping offering temperatures between 60-80°F and fewer insects than summer months.
What to do
Kayaking at Northwest River Park: The park features multiple water access points for paddlers to explore the blackwater ecosystem. "We have gone tent camping and had a blast. The showers were nice and the bathrooms were very clean," notes Audriana V. from Chesapeake Campground.
Fishing from multiple piers: Fish for bass, crappie, and catfish at Davis Lakes Resort where multiple fishing ponds are stocked throughout the year. "Fishing in the ponds was good. Store is very limited on what it has," reports Scott S.
Water recreation: Rent canoes directly at Northwest River Park & Campground for exploring the river system. "Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," mentions Heather L. The park maintains rental equipment from April through November.
Beach access: Drive 5-10 minutes from North Bayshore Campground to reach Sandbridge Beach, a less crowded alternative to Virginia Beach. "Stayed here overnight and spent my days at Sandbridge Beach and the Outer Banks. Friendly staff, and nice tent spots along the canal," shares Nate C.
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: First Landing State Park offers secluded camping spots beneath distinctive bent trees. "Large, private sites among really cool, bent trees. Clean, up-to-date facilities. Large laundry room," writes Adam and Suzanne B.
Waterfront camping: North Landing Beach provides direct water views with sunset vistas over Back Bay. "The view on the beach is breathtaking. They are always throwing special events, we cannot wait to get back here!" reports a camper named happy_champers.
Family-friendly amenities: Holiday Trav-L-Park offers multiple pools to prevent overcrowding. "Several pools to choose from so you don't have to be packed in at one main pool with all the campground guests. Wooded with nice sized sites and plenty of wildlife," explains Da'Paul F.
Proximity to Fort Story: Some campsites at First Landing State Park Campground are located near a military base with unique sounds. "You will hear occasional machine guns and artillery. You will also hear reveille in the morning. It was not terribly bad," notes Nita D.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding: Northwest River Park sites can flood during heavy rainfall. "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.
Military aircraft noise: Virginia Beach RV Resort experiences jet noise from nearby Naval Air Station. "LOTS of overhead noise from jets (you do get use to it)," mentions Ashley I.
Yurt camping options: Kiptopeke State Park Campground offers year-round yurt camping for those seeking comfort near Chesapeake, Virginia. The park provides a less crowded alternative to other yurt camping Chesapeake Virginia options with direct bay access.
Wi-Fi limitations: Davis Lakes Resort advertises Wi-Fi but connection can be unreliable. "The only reason that it doesn't get 5 stars is the WiFi was very limited," reports Scott S.
Tips for camping with families
Weather considerations: Tent camping during peak summer can be challenging due to heat and humidity. "I wouldn't recommend tent camping in the middle of summer - my husband and i both got sick," cautions Grace M. from First Landing State Park.
Multiple playgrounds: North Bayshore Campground offers several play areas for children of different ages. "There's a basketball court and small playground. This is a low lying area and standing water at some sites after heavy rains can be an issue," warns Tina C.
Off-season benefits: Holiday Trav-L-Park offers more spacious camping during cooler months. "This is a HUGE complex with various 'levels' of sites. From basic to fancy, crowded to sparse. I think we would've felt a little claustrophobic if it were the summer, but this was great for us in the off season," explains Amanda P.
Cabin alternatives: For families seeking more comfort than tent camping but less expense than luxury yurt camping near Chesapeake, Virginia, Davis Lakes offers affordable cabin options. "We stayed in the Eagles nest cabin. It had plenty of room for 5 adults and 2 teenagers. The cabin was very clean and offered everything that you would need," shares Scott S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Holiday Trav-L-Park, RV sites vary significantly in size and privacy. "HTP is the closest commercial campground to the Virginia Beach oceanfront & boardwalk as you can get. This place is huge, has Super Sites, FHU sites, tent sites," notes Cliff M.
Leveling challenges: Virginia Beach RV Resort has some uneven sites requiring preparation. "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," shares Christopher T.
Check for flooding: North Landing Beach can experience standing water after heavy rain. "We were in site 156 which was right near a boardwalk and a bathhouse," mentions Nita D.
Limited parking: Virginia Beach RV Resort restricts additional vehicle parking. "There is no over flow parking except for 4 hours. You get one park pass," warns John Z.
