Camping near Jamestown, Virginia offers access to multiple bodies of water including the York, James, and Chickahominy Rivers which create a tidal environment with fluctuating water levels. The region experiences mild winters but hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F during July and August. Most riverside campsites experience moderate to heavy mosquito activity between May and September.
What to do
Kayaking on rivers and marshes: At Chippokes State Park Campground, campers can paddle the James River and explore inland waterways. "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland," notes Christina in her review of the park.
Fossil hunting along shorelines: Newport News Park provides access to riverside areas where visitors search for artifacts. "Hunt for sharks teeth on the beach. Pool is very clean," shared Danielle H. about her experience at this historically rich location.
Biking the Virginia Capital Trail: The paved pathway connects to Chickahominy Riverfront Park, providing miles of riding opportunities. "Also a great paved biking path that goes for a number of miles," explains one reviewer about the trails accessible from the campground.
Fishing from dedicated structures: Most river-adjacent campgrounds have designated fishing areas. "There is a dock down by the boat ramp. It says no fishing. Wait until dark and ignore the sign. There's a light down there that draws the insects. The fish are everywhere," advises Patrick R. about secret fishing spots at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
What campers like
Accessibility to historical sites: Anvil Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the colonial attractions. "We stayed here during our historical tour of Jamestown and Yorktown. It is a small campground but it has everything you need... The location is fantastic and close to all things Williamsburg," reports Bridget H.
Pool facilities during hot months: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming options to combat the summer heat. "There's a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly. The park is a civil war historic site and is close to a lot of other historic places," notes a camper at Newport News Park.
Natural landscapes for hiking: The wooded environments provide trails through diverse ecosystems. "The campground has one bath house located on the far side, next to a minuscule playground. The bathhouse and laundry facility is new, clean, and very nice. The sites are decently spaced apart," explains a reviewer at Kings Creek.
Military installation security: Kings Creek provides a secure environment on Navy property. "I enjoyed the location and the thought of being on a military installations always give me a very safe and welcome feeling," shares a camper about the peaceful atmosphere at this restricted-access facility.
What you should know
Train proximity at some sites: Williamsburg Campground and Anvil Campground both have railroad tracks nearby. "The cabin we stayed in was about 15 feet from the tracks. Not really a complaint from us since the kids thought it was awesome. So, just a heads up on the trains. They are loud and they are often," warns a reviewer at Anvil Campground.
Seasonal closures affect availability: Several campgrounds operate limited schedules, particularly in winter. "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," notes a visitor to Thousand Trails Williamsburg.
Site spacing varies significantly: Reviews consistently mention differences in site layouts across campgrounds. "The campground is in excellent condition and well maintained. It has fair site separation with some trees. There are more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing on two lakes and the York River along with an 18 hole golf course," explains a military camper.
Fishing regulations differ by location: Some areas require permits while others have restricted zones. "This campground caters to fishermen. The camp store has very limited food. They do have fishing gear and ice," notes Katie B. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park's fishing focus.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options for different ages: Several campgrounds feature play equipment designed for children. "The kids were able to ride around the park (it is small) and park is within sight. A few places to access the water and about as close as you can get to the capital trail. Dogs are allowed but must be on leashes. There is a pool and splash pad," reports Samantha G. about Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Splash pad amenities for summer cooling: Water features help manage the heat for young campers. "We took 6 teenagers camping and they had a blast! Especially the pool!" shares Virginia B. about Chippokes State Park Campground.
Halloween decorations consideration: Some campgrounds go all-out for holidays. "Decorated for Halloween - A bit too much for very young children or any individual with a diagnosis of ASD or a social emotional history," cautions a reviewer about seasonal decorations that might overwhelm sensitive children.
Fenced play areas for safety: Enclosed spaces provide security for younger visitors. "We really loved the sandy playground. It is completely fenced in and has play equipment, hammocks and a zip line. The grandkids loved the zip line," shares a visitor about Anvil Campground's child-friendly features.
Tips from RVers
Level site variations: Many RV sites have concrete pads, but leveling can still be challenging. "Make sure you have leveling chalks as some of the sites are to uneven for auto leveling to work. We had a 32' class c rig and had no problems other than the auto leveling not working which caused us to move sites 3 times," advises Tanya R. about Newport News Park.
Water hookup length requirements: Some utility connections require longer hoses than standard. "You need at least a 25' hose," notes an RVer about reaching water connections at Newport News Park.
Tree canopy challenges for satellite service: Dense trees impact connectivity at several campgrounds. "Sites are concrete, level, and most had trees for shade. New section at rear of park is not well shaded but new construction. Good connections for water cable and sewer. Wi-Fi was available and we had no problems connecting," explains John D. about American Heritage RV Park.
Cell carrier differences: Coverage varies by provider across the region. "AT&T had 2 bars and 6 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 8 MB/s with it. There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna," reports a detailed reviewer about connectivity options at Newport News Park.
